This verse emphasizes compassionate lending practices and upholds the principle of supporting those in need without selfish gain.
You shall not give him your silver at interest, nor your food for gain. (v.37) This instruction is part of a larger set of guidelines the LORD gave to Moses, who led the Israelites out of Egyptian bondage around 1446 BC and lived until about 1406 BC. In this verse, God forbids taking advantage of a vulnerable fellow Israelite by charging excessive rates on loans or marked-up prices on essential provisions. Instead of exploiting another’s hardship, the LORD calls His people to practice compassion and allow each individual the chance to recover from financial difficulties without further burdens.
You shall not give him your silver at interest, nor your food for gain. (v.37) points to a principle of loving accountability among the community. This principle later resonates with Jesus’s teaching in the New Testament to give and lend without expecting anything in return (Luke 6:35). By establishing these protective boundaries, God reaffirms His desire for justice and mercy within relationships, ensuring that financial dealings do not become a mechanism of oppression or imbalance among His people.
In a broader biblical context, You shall not give him your silver at interest, nor your food for gain (v.37) helps cultivate a society reflective of God’s own charitable character. Rather than reinforcing greed, the LORD’s instruction fosters a culture of generosity. It serves as a reminder that all provisions ultimately come from God, and faithful stewardship involves caring for the needs of the entire community.
Leviticus 25:37 meaning
You shall not give him your silver at interest, nor your food for gain. (v.37) This instruction is part of a larger set of guidelines the LORD gave to Moses, who led the Israelites out of Egyptian bondage around 1446 BC and lived until about 1406 BC. In this verse, God forbids taking advantage of a vulnerable fellow Israelite by charging excessive rates on loans or marked-up prices on essential provisions. Instead of exploiting another’s hardship, the LORD calls His people to practice compassion and allow each individual the chance to recover from financial difficulties without further burdens.
You shall not give him your silver at interest, nor your food for gain. (v.37) points to a principle of loving accountability among the community. This principle later resonates with Jesus’s teaching in the New Testament to give and lend without expecting anything in return (Luke 6:35). By establishing these protective boundaries, God reaffirms His desire for justice and mercy within relationships, ensuring that financial dealings do not become a mechanism of oppression or imbalance among His people.
In a broader biblical context, You shall not give him your silver at interest, nor your food for gain (v.37) helps cultivate a society reflective of God’s own charitable character. Rather than reinforcing greed, the LORD’s instruction fosters a culture of generosity. It serves as a reminder that all provisions ultimately come from God, and faithful stewardship involves caring for the needs of the entire community.