Exodus 22:25
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
If you lend money to any of my people that is poor by you, you shall not be to him as an usurer, neither shall you lay on him usury.
American King James Version (AKJV)
If you lend money to any of my people that is poor by you, you shall not be to him as an usurer, neither shall you lay on him usury.
American Standard Version (ASV)
If thou lend money to any of my people with thee that is poor, thou shalt not be to him as a creditor; neither shall ye lay upon him interest.
Basic English Translation (BBE)
If you let any of the poor among my people have the use of your money, do not be a hard creditor to him, and do not take interest.
Webster's Revision
If thou shalt lend money to any of my people that is poor by thee, thou shalt not be to him as a usurer, neither shalt thou lay upon him usury.
World English Bible
"If you lend money to any of my people with you who is poor, you shall not be to him as a creditor; neither shall you charge him interest.
English Revised Version (ERV)
If thou lend money to any of my people with thee that is poor, thou shalt not be to him as a creditor; neither shall ye lay upon him usury.
Definitions for Exodus 22:25
Clarke's Exodus 22:25 Bible Commentary
Neither shalt thou lay upon him usury - נשך neshech, from nashach, to bite, cut, or pierce with the teeth; biting usury. So the Latins call it usura vorax, devouring usury. "The increase of usury is called נשך neshech, because it resembles the biting of a serpent; for as this is so small as scarcely to be perceptible at first, but the venom soon spreads and diffuses itself till it reaches the vitals, so the increase of usury, which at first is not perceived nor felt, at length grows so much as by degrees to devour another's substance." - Leigh.
It is evident that what is here said must be understood of accumulated usury, or what we call compound interest only; and accordingly נשך neshech is mentioned with and distinguished from תרביה tarbith and מרביה marbith, interest or simple interest, Leviticus 25:36, Leviticus 25:37; Proverbs 28:8; Ezekiel 18:8, Ezekiel 18:13, Ezekiel 18:17, and Exodus 22:12 - Parkhurst.
Perhaps usury may be more properly defined unlawful interest, receiving more for the loan of money than it is really worth, and more than the law allows. It is a wise regulation in the laws of England, that if a man be convicted of usury - taking unlawful interest, the bond or security is rendered void, and he forfeits treble the sum borrowed. Against such an oppressive practice the wisdom of God saw it essentially necessary to make a law to prevent a people, who were naturally what our Lord calls the Pharisees, φιλαργυροι, lovers of money, (Luke 16:14), from oppressing each other; and who, notwithstanding the law in the text, practice usury in all places of their dispersion to the present day.
Barnes's Exodus 22:25 Bible Commentary
See the notes at Leviticus 25:35-43; compare Deuteronomy 23:19.
Wesley's Exodus 22:25 Bible Commentary
22:25 If thou lend — (1.) They must not receive use for money from any that borrowed for necessity. And such provision the law made for the preserving estates to their families by the year of Jubilee, that a people who had little concern in trade could not be supposed to borrow money but for necessity; therefore it was generally forbidden among themselves; but to a stranger they were allowed to lend upon usury. This law therefore in the strictness of it seems to have been peculiar to the Jewish state; but in the equity of it, it obligeth us to shew mercy to those we have advantage against, and to be content to share with those we lend to in loss as well as profit, if Providence cross them: and upon this condition it seems as lawful to receive interest for my money, which another takes pains with, and improves, as it is to receive rent for my land, which another takes pains with, and improves, for his own use. (2.) They must not take a poor man's bed-clothes in pawn; but if they did, must restore them by bed-time.