Leviticus 25:36 Meaning and Explanation
“Take thou no usury of him, or increase: but fear thy God; that thy brother may live with thee.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Do not charge interest on loans to the poor; fear God more than profit.
The Context of Leviticus 25:36
Loans to the poor are interest-free; fear of God forbids usury.
What Does Leviticus 25:36 Mean?
Lending to the poor without interest is a cornerstone of economic justice. Interest transforms a loan meant to help into a burden that deepens debt. The prohibition protects the vulnerable from predatory terms. Instead of using poverty to extract gain, the lender's role is to restore the poor to self-sufficiency.
The repeated command to 'fear thy God' reframes lending as a religious act. The creditor stands before God, not before profit motive. That reverence, that fear, redirects the heart toward compassion and away from exploitation.
Leviticus 25:36 in the Original Language
nešek (נֶשֶׁךְ) and tarbît (תַּרְבִּית), 'usury' and 'increase' — interest in various forms; the doubled terms emphasize prohibition of all interest.
Frequently Asked Questions About Leviticus 25:36
What does Leviticus 25:36 mean?
Do not charge interest on loans to the poor; fear God more than profit.
What is the context of Leviticus 25:36?
Loans to the poor are interest-free; fear of God forbids usury.