What does Leviticus 25:37 mean?
"Thou shalt not give him thy money upon usury, nor lend him thy victuals for increase." - Leviticus 25:37
Leviticus 25:37 - "Thou shalt not give him thy money upon usury, nor lend him thy victuals for increase."
Leviticus 25:37, in the King James Version, states, "Thou shalt not give him thy money upon usury, nor lend him thy victuals for increase." This verse is part of a larger passage in the book of Leviticus that outlines various laws and regulations for the Israelites, particularly regarding land ownership, debt, and the treatment of fellow community members.
The context of this verse is important in understanding its meaning and significance. In ancient Israel, the economy was primarily based on agriculture and landownership. The Israelites believed that their land was a gift from God, and as such, it was treated as a sacred inheritance. Leviticus 25 contains laws regarding the Sabbatical Year and the Year of Jubilee, which were periods of rest and restoration for the land and for the people. During these years, debts were forgiven, and slaves were set free, allowing for a reset and a renewed sense of equity and justice within the community.
In verse 37, the prohibition against usury and lending for increase reflects the importance of fair and just treatment of one's fellow Israelites. Usury refers to the practice of charging exorbitant interest rates on loans, which often resulted in the exploitation and impoverishment of the borrower. The Israelites were commanded not to engage in this practice, and instead, to lend with compassion and generosity, without seeking personal gain or profit.
The broader theme of this verse is the importance of practicing economic justice and compassion within the community. It emphasizes the principles of fairness, equity, and mutual care for one another. By prohibiting usury and lending for increase, the verse seeks to promote a society based on principles of generosity, empathy, and solidarity.
The symbolism in this verse is also significant. The act of lending without seeking increase represents a spirit of generosity and selflessness. It reflects a belief in the interconnectedness of the community and the responsibility of each individual to care for their neighbors. In prohibiting usury, the verse condemns the exploitation and oppression of the vulnerable, and instead promotes a vision of economic relationships based on compassion and mutual support.
Furthermore, this verse reflects the broader theological and ethical framework of the Hebrew Bible. Throughout the Old Testament, there is a consistent emphasis on justice, compassion, and the care for the marginalized. The teachings of the prophets, such as Amos and Isaiah, also echo this call for economic justice and ethical treatment of others.
In the New Testament, these themes are further developed and expanded upon in the teachings of Jesus, who emphasized the importance of love, compassion, and care for one's neighbor. The prohibition against usury and lending for increase in Leviticus 25:37 can be seen as a precursor to these teachings, highlighting the foundational ethical principles that underpin the Judeo-Christian tradition.
In conclusion, Leviticus 25:37 carries a profound message about the importance of economic justice, fairness, and compassion within the community. It reflects the broader ethical and theological principles of the Hebrew Bible, emphasizing the interconnectedness of humanity and the responsibility to care for one another. This verse continues to hold relevance and significance in contemporary debates about economic ethics and social justice, urging us to consider the ethical implications of our economic practices and relationships.
Leviticus 25:37 Artwork
Leviticus 25:37 - "Thou shalt not give him thy money upon usury, nor lend him thy victuals for increase."
Jeremiah 25:37 - "And the peaceable habitations are cut down because of the fierce anger of the LORD."
Leviticus 11:37 - "And if any part of their carcase fall upon any sowing seed which is to be sown, it shall be clean."
Leviticus 25:26 - "And if the man have none to redeem it, and himself be able to redeem it;"
Leviticus 25:34 - "But the field of the suburbs of their cities may not be sold; for it is their perpetual possession."
Leviticus 25:1 - "And the LORD spake unto Moses in mount Sinai, saying,"
Leviticus 7:37 - "This is the law of the burnt offering, of the meat offering, and of the sin offering, and of the trespass offering, and of the consecrations, and of the sacrifice of the peace offerings;"
Leviticus 16:25 - "And the fat of the sin offering shall he burn upon the altar."
Leviticus 25:24 - "And in all the land of your possession ye shall grant a redemption for the land."
Leviticus 19:37 - "Therefore shall ye observe all my statutes, and all my judgments, and do them: I am the LORD."
Leviticus 25:13 - "In the year of this jubile ye shall return every man unto his possession."
Leviticus 25:23 - "¶ The land shall not be sold for ever: for the land is mine; for ye are strangers and sojourners with me."
Leviticus 25:7 - "And for thy cattle, and for the beast that are in thy land, shall all the increase thereof be meat."
Leviticus 25:43 - "Thou shalt not rule over him with rigour; but shalt fear thy God."
Leviticus 14:37 - "And he shall look on the plague, and, behold, if the plague be in the walls of the house with hollow strakes, greenish or reddish, which in sight are lower than the wall;"
Exodus 25:37 - "And thou shalt make the seven lamps thereof: and they shall light the lamps thereof, that they may give light over against it."
Leviticus 25:32 - "Notwithstanding the cities of the Levites, and the houses of the cities of their possession, may the Levites redeem at any time."
Leviticus 27:25 - "And all thy estimations shall be according to the shekel of the sanctuary: twenty gerahs shall be the shekel."
Isaiah 37:25 - "I have digged, and drunk water; and with the sole of my feet have I dried up all the rivers of the besieged places."
Leviticus 13:37 - "But if the scall be in his sight at a stay, and that there is black hair grown up therein; the scall is healed, he is clean: and the priest shall pronounce him clean."
Leviticus 26:37 - "And they shall fall one upon another, as it were before a sword, when none pursueth: and ye shall have no power to stand before your enemies."
Matthew 25:37 - "Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?"
Leviticus 25:12 - "For it is the jubile; it shall be holy unto you: ye shall eat the increase thereof out of the field."
Leviticus 25:40 - "But as an hired servant, and as a sojourner, he shall be with thee, and shall serve thee unto the year of jubile:"
Leviticus 25:25 - "¶ If thy brother be waxen poor, and hath sold away some of his possession, and if any of his kin come to redeem it, then shall he redeem that which his brother sold."
Leviticus 25:42 - "For they are my servants, which I brought forth out of the land of Egypt: they shall not be sold as bondmen."
Leviticus 11:25 - "And whosoever beareth ought of the carcase of them shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the even."
Psalms 37:25 - "I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread."
Exodus 37:25 - "¶ And he made the incense altar of shittim wood: the length of it was a cubit, and the breadth of it a cubit; it was foursquare; and two cubits was the height of it; the horns thereof were of the same."
Leviticus 25:48 - "After that he is sold he may be redeemed again; one of his brethren may redeem him:"