Leviticus 25:37
Leviticus 25:37 in Multiple Translations
You must not lend him your silver at interest or sell him your food for profit.
Thou shalt not give him thy money upon usury, nor lend him thy victuals for increase.
Thou shalt not give him thy money upon interest, nor give him thy victuals for increase.
Do not take interest on the money which you let him have or on the food which you give him.
Don't lend them silver with interest or sell them food at an inflated price.
Thou shalt not giue him thy money to vsurie, nor lende him thy vitailes for increase.
thy money thou givest not to him in usury, and for increase thou givest not thy food;
You shall not lend him your money at interest, nor give him your food for profit.
Thou shalt not give him thy money upon interest, nor lend him thy victuals for increase.
Thou shalt not give him thy money upon usury, nor exact of him any increase of fruits.
If you lend him money, do not charge interest; and if you sell food to him, charge him only what you paid for it; do not get a profit from it.
Berean Amplified Bible — Leviticus 25:37
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Leviticus 25:37 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
אֶ֨ת
כַּסְפְּ/ךָ֔
לֹֽא
תִתֵּ֥ן
ל֖/וֹ
בְּ/נֶ֑שֶׁךְ
וּ/בְ/מַרְבִּ֖ית
לֹא
תִתֵּ֥ן
אָכְלֶֽ/ךָ
אֶ֨ת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
כַּסְפְּ/ךָ֔
keçeph
H3701
silver
N-ms | Suff
לֹֽא
lôʼ
H3808
not
Part
תִתֵּ֥ן
nâthan
H5414
to give
V-Qal-Imperf-2ms
ל֖/וֹ
Prep | Suff
בְּ/נֶ֑שֶׁךְ
neshek
H5392
interest
Prep | N-ms
וּ/בְ/מַרְבִּ֖ית
marbîyth
H4768
greatness
Conj | Prep | N-fs
לֹא
lôʼ
H3808
not
Part
תִתֵּ֥ן
nâthan
H5414
to give
V-Qal-Imperf-2ms
אָכְלֶֽ/ךָ
ʼôkel
H400
food
N-ms | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Leviticus 25:37
אֶ֨ת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
כַּסְפְּ/ךָ֔
keçeph
H3701
"silver"
N-ms | Suff
Silver or money, often referring to payment or wealth, like the silver talents in Matthew 25. It can also describe silver as a valuable metal or ornament.
Definition: : money/payment/silver 1) silver, money 1a) silver 1a1) as metal 1a2) as ornament 1a3) as colour 1b) money, shekels, talents
Usage: Occurs in 343 OT verses. KJV: money, price, silver(-ling). See also: Genesis 13:2; Numbers 22:18; 2 Chronicles 1:17.
לֹֽא
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
תִתֵּ֥ן
nâthan
H5414
"to give"
V-Qal-Imperf-2ms
This word means to give, put, or set something, with a wide range of applications. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, describing God's actions and human interactions. The word is used to convey giving, selling, or exchanging something.
Definition: : give/deliver/send/produce 1) to give, put, set 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to give, bestow, grant, permit, ascribe, employ, devote, consecrate, dedicate, pay wages, sell, exchange, lend, commit, entrust, give over, deliver up, yield produce, occasion, produce, requite to, report, mention, utter, stretch out, extend 1a2) to put, set, put on, put upon, set, appoint, assign, designate 1a3) to make, constitute 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be given, be bestowed, be provided, be entrusted to, be granted to, be permitted, be issued, be published, be uttered, be assigned 1b2) to be set, be put, be made, be inflicted 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be given, be bestowed, be given up, be delivered up 1c2) to be put upon
Usage: Occurs in 1816 OT verses. KJV: add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield. See also: Genesis 1:17; Genesis 40:21; Exodus 30:12.
ל֖/וֹ
""
Prep | Suff
בְּ/נֶ֑שֶׁךְ
neshek
H5392
"interest"
Prep | N-ms
The Hebrew word for interest or usury, this term is used to describe the practice of lending money at excessive rates. It is prohibited in the Bible, as seen in passages like Deuteronomy 23:19-20 and Ezekiel 18:8. The concept of fair lending is central to the book of Leviticus.
Definition: interest, usury
Usage: Occurs in 10 OT verses. KJV: usury. See also: Exodus 22:24; Proverbs 28:8; Psalms 15:5.
וּ/בְ/מַרְבִּ֖ית
marbîyth
H4768
"greatness"
Conj | Prep | N-fs
This Hebrew word means a large amount or greatness, like a big family or a lot of interest on money. It is used in the Bible to describe something that is growing or increasing. In the KJV, it is translated as greatness or multitude.
Definition: 1) increase, great number, multitude, greatness 1a) increase 1a1) of family 1a2) increment, interest, usury 1b) great number (of people) 1c) greatness (of wisdom)
Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: greatest part, greatness, increase, multitude. See also: Leviticus 25:37; 1 Chronicles 12:30; 2 Chronicles 30:18.
לֹא
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
תִתֵּ֥ן
nâthan
H5414
"to give"
V-Qal-Imperf-2ms
This word means to give, put, or set something, with a wide range of applications. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, describing God's actions and human interactions. The word is used to convey giving, selling, or exchanging something.
Definition: : give/deliver/send/produce 1) to give, put, set 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to give, bestow, grant, permit, ascribe, employ, devote, consecrate, dedicate, pay wages, sell, exchange, lend, commit, entrust, give over, deliver up, yield produce, occasion, produce, requite to, report, mention, utter, stretch out, extend 1a2) to put, set, put on, put upon, set, appoint, assign, designate 1a3) to make, constitute 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be given, be bestowed, be provided, be entrusted to, be granted to, be permitted, be issued, be published, be uttered, be assigned 1b2) to be set, be put, be made, be inflicted 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be given, be bestowed, be given up, be delivered up 1c2) to be put upon
Usage: Occurs in 1816 OT verses. KJV: add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield. See also: Genesis 1:17; Genesis 40:21; Exodus 30:12.
אָכְלֶֽ/ךָ
ʼôkel
H400
"food"
N-ms | Suff
This Hebrew word refers to food or a meal, including cereal, meat, and other supplies. It is used in stories about everyday life, like eating and sharing meals.
Definition: 1) food 1a) cereal 1b) meat 2) food supply 3) meal, dinner
Usage: Occurs in 41 OT verses. KJV: eating, food, meal(-time), meat, prey, victuals. See also: Genesis 14:11; Deuteronomy 2:28; Psalms 78:18.
Study Notes — Leviticus 25:37
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Leviticus 25:37 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Leviticus 25:37
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Leviticus 25:37
- Ellicott's Commentary on Leviticus 25:37
- Cambridge Bible on Leviticus 25:37
- Barnes' Notes on Leviticus 25:37
- Whedon's Commentary on Leviticus 25:37
Context — Redemption of the Poor
35Now if your countryman becomes destitute and cannot support himself among you, then you are to help him as you would a foreigner or stranger, so that he can continue to live among you.
36Do not take any interest or profit from him, but fear your God, that your countryman may live among you.
37You must not lend him your silver at interest or sell him your food for profit.
38I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt to give you the land of Canaan and to be your God. 39If a countryman among you becomes destitute and sells himself to you, then you must not force him into slave labor.Leviticus 25:37 Summary
This verse teaches us to be kind and fair to those in need, and not take advantage of them by charging high interest rates or overcharging for essential items like food. We should treat others with love and respect, just as we would want to be treated, as Jesus taught in Matthew 7:12. By doing so, we demonstrate our love and fear for God, who cares deeply for the poor and vulnerable, as seen in Psalm 140:12 and Jeremiah 22:16. As we seek to follow God's commands, we can trust that He will guide us in our interactions with others and help us to be a blessing to those around us.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to lend silver at interest in Leviticus 25:37?
In the context of this verse, lending silver at interest refers to charging a fee for borrowing money, which was forbidden by God to prevent exploitation of the poor, as seen in Exodus 22:25 and Deuteronomy 23:19-20.
Is it wrong to sell food for profit according to Leviticus 25:37?
While selling food for profit is not inherently wrong, this verse emphasizes that taking advantage of someone's desperation by overcharging them is sinful, and instead, we should show compassion and fairness, as taught in Proverbs 11:26 and Matthew 25:40.
How does this verse relate to helping the poor in our community?
Leviticus 25:37 highlights the importance of treating the poor with kindness and fairness, rather than exploiting them, which is a central theme in Scripture, as seen in Psalm 41:1 and Galatians 2:10.
What is the underlying principle behind this verse?
The underlying principle is to love and fear God by treating others, especially the vulnerable, with love, kindness, and fairness, as commanded in Leviticus 19:18 and Matthew 22:37-40.
Reflection Questions
- How can I apply the principle of not taking advantage of the poor in my daily life, especially in my interactions with those in need?
- What are some ways I can show kindness and fairness to those who are struggling financially or emotionally, as an expression of my love for God?
- How can I balance the need to be wise and responsible with my finances while also being generous and compassionate towards others, as taught in 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 and Proverbs 19:17?
- What does it mean to 'fear God' in the context of Leviticus 25:37, and how can I cultivate a deeper reverence for Him in my life?
Gill's Exposition on Leviticus 25:37
Thou shalt not give him thy money upon usury,.... Lend him money, expecting and insisting upon a large interest for it; this is to be understood of persons in poor and necessitous circumstances, of
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Leviticus 25:37
And if thy brother be waxen poor, and fallen in decay with thee; then thou shalt relieve him: yea, though he be a stranger, or a sojourner; that he may live with thee. If thy brother be waxen poor ... relieve him.
Ellicott's Commentary on Leviticus 25:37
(37) Thou shalt not give him.—This is simply an emphatic repetition of the declaration in the foregoing verse, and favours the ancient distinction between the two terms.
Cambridge Bible on Leviticus 25:37
37. No interest was to be permitted in such a case for money lent, nor, if the loan took the form of the necessaries of life, was more than the amount lent to be exacted in return. The same law appears in Exodus 22:25 [Heb. 24]; Deuteronomy 23:20. In the latter case it is from ‘a stranger’ interest may be demanded.
Barnes' Notes on Leviticus 25:37
Lend him thy victuals for increase - i. e. supply him with food for thy own profit.
Whedon's Commentary on Leviticus 25:37
37. Victuals — In Deuteronomy 23:19, there is added the prohibition of “usury of anything that is lent upon usury.” Thus in all the means of life the poor are mercifully guarded against the oppression of avarice.