In the context of the Mosaic Law, the term "strangers" refers to non-Israelites or foreigners residing among the Israelites. The Mosaic Law provided specific guidelines on how the Israelites were to interact with these individuals, particularly in matters of lending and usury.

The Mosaic Law made a clear distinction between fellow Israelites and strangers when it came to the practice of charging interest on loans. In Exodus 22:25 , the Israelites were instructed: "If you lend money to one of My people among you who is poor, you are not to act as a creditor to him; you are not to charge him interest." This commandment emphasized the importance of compassion and support within the community of Israel, ensuring that the poor were not further burdened by financial hardship.

However, the law permitted the charging of interest to strangers. Deuteronomy 23:20 states: "You may charge a foreigner interest, but you must not charge your brother interest, so that the LORD your God may bless you in everything to which you put your hand in the land you are entering to possess." This distinction highlights the different expectations for economic interactions with fellow Israelites versus those with foreigners. The allowance to charge interest to strangers was likely a recognition of the different social and economic relationships that existed between Israelites and non-Israelites.

The rationale behind these laws can be understood in the context of the covenant relationship between God and Israel. The Israelites were called to be a distinct and holy people, set apart for God's purposes. The prohibition against charging interest to fellow Israelites reinforced the values of community, mutual aid, and social justice within the covenant community. In contrast, the permission to charge interest to strangers acknowledged the practical realities of economic transactions with those outside the covenant community.

These laws also reflect the broader biblical theme of justice and mercy. While the Israelites were to treat strangers with kindness and fairness, as seen in other passages such as Leviticus 19:34 , which commands, "You must treat the foreigner living among you as native-born and love him as yourself," the economic regulations allowed for a different approach in financial dealings, balancing compassion with the practicalities of economic life.

Overall, the Mosaic Law's regulations on usury towards strangers illustrate the complex interplay between justice, mercy, and economic realities in the life of ancient Israel, providing a framework for understanding how God's people were to navigate their relationships with those outside their immediate community.Deuteronomy 15:3
Of a foreigner you may exact it again: but that which is your with your brother your hand shall release;
Nave's Topical Index

Deuteronomy 23:20
To a stranger you may lend on usury; but to your brother you shall not lend on usury: that the LORD your God may bless you in all that you set your hand to in the land where you go to possess it.
Nave's Topical Index

Commerce
... It was otherwise when Judaea was in the hands of strangers. ... spirit and of the details
of the Mosaic legislation, the ... So far did the law interfere, as to order ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 12 commerce.htm

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