Deuteronomy 23:19
New International Version
Do not charge a fellow Israelite interest, whether on money or food or anything else that may earn interest.

New Living Translation
“Do not charge interest on the loans you make to a fellow Israelite, whether you loan money, or food, or anything else.

English Standard Version
“You shall not charge interest on loans to your brother, interest on money, interest on food, interest on anything that is lent for interest.

Berean Standard Bible
Do not charge your brother interest on money, food, or any other type of loan.

King James Bible
Thou shalt not lend upon usury to thy brother; usury of money, usury of victuals, usury of any thing that is lent upon usury:

New King James Version
“You shall not charge interest to your brother—interest on money or food or anything that is lent out at interest.

New American Standard Bible
“You are not to charge interest to your countrymen: interest on money, food, or anything that may be loaned on interest.

NASB 1995
“You shall not charge interest to your countrymen: interest on money, food, or anything that may be loaned at interest.

NASB 1977
“You shall not charge interest to your countrymen: interest on money, food, or anything that may be loaned at interest.

Legacy Standard Bible
“You shall not charge interest to your brother: interest on money, food, or anything that may be loaned at interest.

Amplified Bible
“You shall not charge interest to your fellow Israelite—interest on money, food or anything that may be loaned for interest.

Christian Standard Bible
“Do not charge your brother interest on silver, food, or anything that can earn interest.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Do not charge your brother interest on money, food, or anything that can earn interest.

American Standard Version
Thou shalt not lend upon interest to thy brother; interest of money, interest of victuals, interest of anything that is lent upon interest.

Contemporary English Version
When you lend money, food, or anything else to another Israelite, you are not allowed to charge interest.

English Revised Version
Thou shalt not lend upon usury to thy brother; usury of money, usury of victuals, usury of any thing that is lent upon usury:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Never charge another Israelite any interest on money, food, or anything else that is borrowed.

Good News Translation
"When you lend money or food or anything else to Israelites, do not charge them interest.

International Standard Version
"Don't charge interest to your relatives, whether for money, food, or for anything that has been loaned at interest.

Majority Standard Bible
Do not charge your brother interest on money, food, or any other type of loan.

NET Bible
You must not charge interest on a loan to your fellow Israelite, whether on money, food, or anything else that has been loaned with interest.

New Heart English Bible
You shall not lend on interest to your brother; interest of money, interest of food, interest of anything that is lent on interest:

Webster's Bible Translation
Thou shalt not lend upon interest to thy brother; interest of money, interest of victuals, interest of any thing that is lent upon interest:

World English Bible
You shall not lend on interest to your brother: interest of money, interest of food, interest of anything that is lent on interest.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
You do not lend in usury to your brother—usury of money, usury of food, usury of anything which is lent on usury.

Young's Literal Translation
'Thou dost not lend in usury to thy brother; usury of money, usury of food, usury of anything which is lent on usury.

Smith's Literal Translation
Thou shalt not lend upon interest to thy brother; interest of silver, interest of food, interest of any word which shall be lent on interest.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Thou shalt not lend to thy brother money to usury, nor corn, nor any other thing:

Catholic Public Domain Version
You shall not lend money, or grain, or anything else at all, to your brother at interest,

New American Bible
You shall not demand interest from your kindred on a loan of money or of food or of anything else which is loaned.

New Revised Standard Version
You shall not charge interest on loans to another Israelite, interest on money, interest on provisions, interest on anything that is lent.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
You shall not lend with interest to your brother: interest of money, interest of grain, and the interest of anything that is lent with interest;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
You shall not increase interest of money by your brother, or interest of grain or interest of anything that grows:
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Thou shalt not lend upon interest to thy brother: interest of money, interest of victuals, interest of any thing that is lent upon interest.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Thou shalt not lend to thy brother on usury of silver, or usury of meat, or usury of any thing which thou mayest lend out.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Miscellaneous Laws
18You must not bring the wages of a prostitute, whether female or male, into the house of the LORD your God to fulfill any vow, because both are detestable to the LORD your God. 19Do not charge your brother interest on money, food, or any other type of loan. 20You may charge a foreigner interest, but not your brother, so that the LORD your God may bless you in everything to which you put your hand in the land that you are entering to possess.…

Cross References
Exodus 22:25
If you lend money to one of My people among you who is poor, you must not act as a creditor to him; you are not to charge him interest.

Leviticus 25:35-37
Now 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. / Do not take any interest or profit from him, but fear your God, that your countryman may live among you. / You must not lend him your silver at interest or sell him your food for profit.

Nehemiah 5:7-10
and after serious thought I rebuked the nobles and officials, saying, “You are exacting usury from your own brothers!” So I called a large assembly against them / and said, “We have done our best to buy back our Jewish brothers who were sold to foreigners, but now you are selling your own brothers, that they may be sold back to us!” But they remained silent, for they could find nothing to say. / So I continued, “What you are doing is not right. Shouldn’t you walk in the fear of our God to avoid the reproach of our foreign enemies? ...

Psalm 15:5
who lends his money without interest and refuses a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things will never be shaken.

Proverbs 28:8
He who increases his wealth by interest and usury lays it up for one who is kind to the poor.

Ezekiel 18:8
He does not engage in usury or take excess interest, but he withholds his hand from iniquity and executes true justice between men.

Ezekiel 18:13
He engages in usury and takes excess interest. Will this son live? He will not! Since he has committed all these abominations, he will surely die; his blood will be on his own head.

Ezekiel 18:17
He withholds his hand from harming the poor and takes no interest or usury. He keeps My ordinances and follows My statutes. Such a man will not die for his father’s iniquity. He will surely live.

Ezekiel 22:12
In you they take bribes to shed blood. You engage in usury, take excess interest, and extort your neighbors. But Me you have forgotten, declares the Lord GOD.

Matthew 5:42
Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

Luke 6:34-35
And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. / But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them, expecting nothing in return. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.

Luke 19:23
Why then did you not deposit my money in the bank, and upon my return I could have collected it with interest?’

Romans 13:8
Be indebted to no one, except to one another in love. For he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.

1 Corinthians 6:10
nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor verbal abusers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.

2 Corinthians 8:14
At the present time, your surplus will meet their need, so that in turn their surplus will meet your need. This way there will be equality.


Treasury of Scripture

You shall not lend on usury to your brother; usury of money, usury of victuals, usury of any thing that is lent on usury:

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 25:35-37
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…

Nehemiah 5:1-7
And there was a great cry of the people and of their wives against their brethren the Jews…

Jump to Previous
Charge Countrymen Earn Interest Lend Money Usury Victuals Whether
Jump to Next
Charge Countrymen Earn Interest Lend Money Usury Victuals Whether
Deuteronomy 23
1. Who may or may not enter into the congregation
9. Uncleanness is to be avoided in the host
15. Of the fugitive servant
17. Of filthiness
18. Of abominable sacrifices
19. Of usury
20. Of vows
24. Of trespass














Do not charge your brother interest
This command is rooted in the covenantal relationship among the Israelites, emphasizing the importance of community and mutual support. In ancient Israel, the term "brother" refers to fellow Israelites, highlighting the familial bond within the nation. Charging interest, or usury, was seen as exploiting a brother's misfortune, contrary to the spirit of generosity and care that God desired for His people. This principle is echoed in other parts of the Old Testament, such as Exodus 22:25 and Leviticus 25:35-37, where lending without interest is encouraged to prevent the impoverishment of fellow Israelites. The prohibition against interest underscores the call to trust in God's provision rather than exploiting others for personal gain.

on money, food,
The inclusion of both money and food indicates the comprehensive nature of this command. In an agrarian society, food was a critical resource, and lending it without interest ensured that those in need could survive without being burdened by debt. This reflects the broader biblical principle of caring for the poor and vulnerable, as seen in Proverbs 19:17, which states that lending to the poor is akin to lending to the Lord. The command to lend freely without interest is a practical application of loving one's neighbor, a theme that runs throughout Scripture.

or any other type of loan.
This phrase broadens the scope of the command to include all forms of lending, ensuring that the principle of generosity and support extends to every aspect of life. It reflects the holistic approach of the Mosaic Law, which sought to create a just and equitable society. The prohibition against interest on any loan is a safeguard against the accumulation of wealth at the expense of others, promoting a community where resources are shared and needs are met. This principle is later echoed in the teachings of Jesus, who emphasized the importance of giving without expecting anything in return (Luke 6:34-35), pointing to the kingdom values of selflessness and love.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
The author of Deuteronomy, delivering God's laws to the Israelites.

2. Israelites
The recipients of the law, God's chosen people, who are being instructed on how to live in community.

3. Promised Land
The context in which these laws are given, as the Israelites prepare to enter and settle in the land God promised them.
Teaching Points
Community Support and Compassion
The prohibition against charging interest to a fellow Israelite underscores the importance of supporting one another within the community. It encourages believers to prioritize relationships over financial gain.

Trust in God's Provision
By not charging interest, Israelites were to trust in God's provision rather than relying on financial exploitation. This principle can be applied today by trusting God to meet our needs as we act with integrity and generosity.

Reflecting God's Character
God's laws reflect His character of justice, mercy, and love. By adhering to these principles, believers demonstrate God's nature to the world.

Practical Generosity
This command encourages practical generosity, urging believers to help those in need without seeking personal gain. It challenges us to consider how we can support others in our communities.

Financial Integrity
The principle of not charging interest calls for financial integrity and ethical behavior in all dealings, reminding us to conduct our financial affairs in a way that honors God.(19, 20) Usury.--See Exodus 22:25; Leviticus 25:35-36. Some recent writers on this law have thought that it forbids the putting out of money to interest. But it is noticeable that in both the previous passages referred to (in Exod. and Lev.) the loan is supposed to be made to a "poor man" in "real distress." Usury in such cases means oppression; and so it is proved to be by the examples given in Nehemiah 5:2-5; Nehemiah 5:10-12. The connection between this exaction and modern investments is not obvious, except in a very few cases. The Mosaic law against usury does not belong to commerce with other nations; it is part of the poor law of the land of Israel.

Verses 19-25. - Certain civil rights and duties are here prescribed. Verses 19, 20. - An Israelite might lend on interest money, or victuals, or other property, to a foreigner, but of one of his own people he was not to take interest for a loan (cf. Exodus 22:24; Leviticus 25:36, 37).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Do not
לֹא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

charge
תַשִּׁ֣יךְ (ṯaš·šîḵ)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 5391: To strike with a, sting, to oppress with usury

your brother
לְאָחִ֔יךָ (lə·’ā·ḥî·ḵā)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 251: A brother, )

interest
נֶ֥שֶׁךְ (ne·šeḵ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5392: Interest on a, debt

on money,
כֶּ֖סֶף (ke·sep̄)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3701: Silver, money

food,
אֹ֑כֶל (’ō·ḵel)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 400: Food

or any
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

other
דָּבָ֖ר (dā·ḇār)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause

type of loan.
יִשָּֽׁךְ׃ (yiš·šāḵ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5391: To strike with a, sting, to oppress with usury


Links
Deuteronomy 23:19 NIV
Deuteronomy 23:19 NLT
Deuteronomy 23:19 ESV
Deuteronomy 23:19 NASB
Deuteronomy 23:19 KJV

Deuteronomy 23:19 BibleApps.com
Deuteronomy 23:19 Biblia Paralela
Deuteronomy 23:19 Chinese Bible
Deuteronomy 23:19 French Bible
Deuteronomy 23:19 Catholic Bible

OT Law: Deuteronomy 23:19 You shall not lend on interest (Deut. De Du)
Deuteronomy 23:18
Top of Page
Top of Page