📖 Biblical Definition
Usury, in biblical usage, is the lending of money at interest to a brother in need — explicitly forbidden in the Mosaic law (Exodus 22:25; Leviticus 25:36-37; Deuteronomy 23:19-20). The KJV translates neshek ("bite") as usury; the modern English word has narrowed to mean excessive interest, but Scripture’s concern is broader. Israel could lend at interest to a foreigner (commercial), but not exploit a brother’s poverty. The prophets fold usury into their list of national sins (Ezekiel 18:8, 13; 22:12); the righteous man "putteth not out his money to usury" (Psalm 15:5). The principle stands: covenant brotherhood forbids profiting from a brother’s hardship. Charity, not interest, answers his need.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
Lending at interest to a brother in need.
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The taking of interest on loans; in the Mosaic law specifically forbidden when lending to a fellow Israelite in need (though permitted with foreigners in commercial transactions); historically extended by the church to all interest-taking, modified in modern times to a distinction between productive lending and oppression of the poor.
📖 Key Scripture
Exodus 22:25 — "If thou lend money to any of my people that is poor by thee, thou shalt not be to him as an usurer, neither shalt thou lay upon him usury."
Leviticus 25:36-37 — "Take thou no usury of him, or increase: but fear thy God; that thy brother may live with thee. Thou shalt not give him thy money upon usury, nor lend him thy victuals for increase."
Ezekiel 18:8 — "He that hath not given forth upon usury, neither hath taken any increase, that hath withdrawn his hand from iniquity... he is just."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Dismissed entirely as ancient law inapplicable to modern finance, missing the principle: do not exploit the poor.
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The Mosaic ban on usury aimed at protecting the poor brother. Modern finance is not all sin — but predatory lending against the desperate is. Payday loans, exploitative credit cards, and aggressive collection agencies fall under the prophetic indictment Ezekiel pronounced. The principle survives: do not profit off your brother's distress.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Hebrew neshek — usury.
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['Hebrew', 'H5392', 'neshek', 'usury, interest']
['Hebrew', 'H8636', 'tarbit', 'increase, interest']
Usage
"Lend to the poor without interest."
"Predatory lending falls under prophetic judgment."