In biblical times, the concept of banks as we understand them today did not exist. However, the Bible does reference practices related to money lending, interest, and the safekeeping of valuables, which can be seen as precursors to modern banking.

Money Lending and Interest

The Bible contains numerous references to money lending and the charging of interest, which are foundational elements of banking. In the Old Testament, the Israelites were given specific instructions regarding lending and borrowing. For instance, Exodus 22:25 states, "If you lend money to one of My people among you who is poor, you must not be like a moneylender to him; you must not charge him interest." This command reflects a concern for the welfare of the poor and the avoidance of exploitation through usury.

Similarly, Leviticus 25:36-37 advises, "Do not take any interest or profit from him, but fear your God, so that your countryman may continue to live among you. You must not lend him money at interest or sell him food at a profit." These passages emphasize the importance of compassion and fairness in financial dealings.

In the New Testament, Jesus addresses the topic of money and stewardship in the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30). In this parable, a master entrusts his servants with money, expecting them to invest it wisely. The servant who buried his talent instead of investing it is rebuked, suggesting that wise and productive use of resources is commended.

Safekeeping of Valuables

The practice of safeguarding valuables is another aspect of banking reflected in the Bible. In ancient times, people often entrusted their wealth to others for safekeeping. This is illustrated in the Parable of the Talents, where servants are given money to manage on behalf of their master.

Additionally, in 2 Kings 12:9-10 , we see an example of a collection system for temple repairs: "Then Jehoiada the priest took a chest, bored a hole in its lid, and set it beside the altar, on the right side as one enters the house of the LORD. The priests who guarded the threshold put into the chest all the money that was brought into the house of the LORD." This passage highlights the practice of collecting and safeguarding funds for a specific purpose.

Economic Justice and Fairness

The Bible consistently advocates for economic justice and fairness, principles that are relevant to banking and financial systems. Proverbs 22:22-23 warns, "Do not rob a poor man because he is poor, and do not crush the afflicted at the gate, for the LORD will take up their case and will plunder those who rob them." This underscores the importance of ethical conduct in financial matters.

Furthermore, the Bible encourages generosity and the responsible use of wealth. In 1 Timothy 6:17-19 , Paul instructs, "Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be conceited and not to put their hope in the uncertainty of wealth, but in God, who richly provides us with all things to enjoy. Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, and to be generous and ready to share."

Conclusion

While the Bible does not explicitly mention banks as institutions, it provides guidance on financial practices, emphasizing fairness, stewardship, and compassion. These principles continue to inform Christian perspectives on banking and finance today.1415. gadah -- bank (of a river)
... 1414, 1415. gadah. 1416 . bank (of a river). Transliteration: gadah
Phonetic Spelling: (gaw-daw') Short Definition: banks. Word ...
/hebrew/1415.htm - 5k

4026. migdal -- a tower
... Word Origin from gadal Definition a tower NASB Word Usage banks (1), podium (1),
Tower (8), tower (23), towers (14), watchtower (2). castle, flower, tower. ...
/hebrew/4026.htm - 6k

3027. yad -- hand
... 1), along (1), alongside* (1), armpits* (1), arms (5), around (2), assist (1),
assuredly (2), authority (9), axles (2), bank (1), banks (1), because (1), become ...
/hebrew/3027.htm - 8k

The Banks of the Spey
... Chapter 19. An Ideal Circuit; Wesley in his Eighties; Wesley Visits Holland;
Incidents in Scotland The Banks of the Spey. Saturday ...
/.../wesley/the journal of john wesley/the banks of the spey.htm

When the Banks were Completed and the Battering Rams Brought, and ...
... CHAPTER 4. When The Banks Were Completed And The Battering Rams Brought, And Could
Do Nothing, Titus Gave Orders To Set Fire To The Gates Of The Temple; In No ...
/.../chapter 4 when the banks.htm

How Caesar Raised Banks Round About the Upper City [Mount Zion] ...
... CHAPTER 8. How Caesar Raised Banks Round About The Upper City [Mount Zion] And When
They Were Completed, Gave Orders That The Machines Should Be Brought. ...
/.../chapter 8 how caesar raised.htm

On Jordan's Stormy Banks. CM
... 528 On Jordan's Stormy Banks. CM. ... (1117) On Jordan's stormy banks I stand, And cast
a wishful eye To Canaan's fair and happy land, Where my possessions lie. ...
/.../lorenz/the otterbein hymnal/528 on jordans stormy banks.htm

How the Jews were Crucified Before the Walls of the City ...
... How The Jews Were Crucified Before The Walls Of The City Concerning Antiochus Epiphanes;
And How The Jews Overthrew The Banks That Had Been Raised By The Romans ...
/.../chapter 11 how the jews.htm

The Next Night Diamond was Seated by his Open Window...
... Now the armies of wheat and of oats would hang over its rush from the opposite banks;
now the willows would dip low branches in its still waters; and now it ...
/.../macdonald/at the back of the north wind/chapter 37 the next night.htm

Concerning the Tyrants Simon and John. How Also as Titus was Going ...
... He also at the same time gave his soldiers leave to set the suburbs on fire, and
ordered that they should bring timber together, and raise banks against the ...
/.../chapter 6 concerning the tyrants.htm

Titus Thought Fit to Encompass the City Round with a Wall; after ...
... But of those that were for a more cautious management, some were for raising their
banks again; and others advised to let the banks alone, but to lie still ...
/.../chapter 12 titus thought fit.htm

Foreign Exchange.
... Some folks ought to be getting better acquainted at the foreign exchange
desk in the banks where this sort of business is done. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on service/foreign exchange.htm

A Nation that was Born in a Day.
... were afraid of them. Then they rose up and marched to the banks of the Jordan
and waited for Joshua to lead them over. Some of them ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xiv a nation that.htm

Banks (11 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Banks (11 Occurrences). Genesis 41:17 And Pharaoh said
unto Joseph, In my dream, behold, I stood upon the bank of the river: (See RSV) ...
/b/banks.htm - 10k

Bank (28 Occurrences)
... 5. (n.) An elevation, or rising ground, under the sea; a shoal, shelf, or shallow;
as, the banks of Newfoundland. ... 11. (vt) To pass by the banks of. 12. ...
/b/bank.htm - 26k

Banking
... A few "banks of deposit" were founded in Italy in the Middle Ages, but the earliest
"banks of issue," of the modern sort, were those of Amsterdam (1609) and ...
/b/banking.htm - 13k

Ulai (2 Occurrences)
... Hence Daniel (8:2, 16) speaks of standing "between the banks of Ulai", ie, between
the two streams of the divided river. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ULAI. ...
/u/ulai.htm - 9k

Nile (37 Occurrences)
... of the Nile, every particle of the soil having been brought down by the river from
the heart of the continent and deposited along the banks and especially in ...
/n/nile.htm - 29k

Overflows (9 Occurrences)
... ark had come to the Jordan, and the feet of the priests who bore the ark had dipped
in the edge of the water (for the Jordan overflows all its banks all the ...
/o/overflows.htm - 9k

Overflowed (14 Occurrences)
... soles of the priests' feet were drawn up unto the dry ground, that the waters of
the Jordan returned unto their place, and went over all its banks, as aforetime ...
/o/overflowed.htm - 10k

Jabbok (7 Occurrences)
... "The scenery along its banks is probably the most picturesque in ... The bed of the river
is in a deep gorge with steep, and in many places precipitous, banks. ...
/j/jabbok.htm - 11k

Laodicea (6 Occurrences)
... The city of this name mentioned in Scripture lay on the confines of Phrygia and
Lydia, about 40 miles east of Ephesus (Revelation 3:14), on the banks of the ...
/l/laodicea.htm - 11k

Irrigation
... For purposes of irrigation, water was raised from streams or pools by water-wheels,
or by a shaduf, commonly used on the banks of the Nile to the present day. ...
/i/irrigation.htm - 9k

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