Leviticus 25:37 Meaning and Explanation
“Thou shalt not give him thy money upon usury, nor lend him thy victuals for increase.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Interest is forbidden on both monetary loans and loans of food; no increase from the poor is permissible.
The Context of Leviticus 25:37
All types of loans to the poor are interest-free.
What Does Leviticus 25:37 Mean?
The prohibition extends to all types of loans—money, grain, oil, any provision. Whether lending cash or sustenance, extracting interest is forbidden. This universality closes loopholes. The poor cannot be exploited through food loans if cash lending is blocked, nor vice versa.
The specific mention of food loans is significant: the poor often borrow food because they are hungry. A lender who charges interest on bread effectively demands that the poor starve faster to repay. The law shields the most desperate transactions from exploitation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Leviticus 25:37
What does Leviticus 25:37 mean?
Interest is forbidden on both monetary loans and loans of food; no increase from the poor is permissible.
What is the context of Leviticus 25:37?
All types of loans to the poor are interest-free.