Exodus 22:25 - “If you lend money to any of my people with you who is poor, you shall not be to him as a creditor. You shall not charge him interest.
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What does "Exodus 22:25" mean?
Exodus 22:25, "“If you lend money to any of my people with you who is poor, you shall not be to him as a creditor. You shall not charge him interest," is a key verse regarding lending and social responsibility within the Israelite community. Here's a breakdown of what it means:
Emphasis on Lending to the Poor: The verse specifically addresses loans made to the poor within the Israelite community (the phrase "my people with you" refers to fellow Israelites). This highlights the importance of helping those in need.
Prohibition of Acting as a Creditor (Oppressor): "You shall not be to him as a creditor" implies a broader attitude shift beyond just lending. It means you shouldn't act in a harsh, exploitative, or overbearing manner towards the borrower. The lender shouldn't exploit the vulnerability of the poor.
Prohibition of Interest (Usury): "You shall not charge him interest" is the core prohibition. Interest here (often called usury in older translations) refers to any charge beyond the principal amount of the loan. This prohibition aimed to prevent the lender from profiting from the borrower's misfortune.
Key Interpretations and Implications:
Social Justice and Compassion: The verse underscores the importance of social justice and compassion towards the less fortunate. It reflects a communal responsibility to care for the poor and vulnerable.
Protection from Exploitation: The law aims to prevent the wealthy from exploiting the poor through debt. By prohibiting interest, it sought to protect the borrower from becoming further impoverished by the burden of repayment.
Focus on Fellow Israelites: The verse specifically addresses lending within the Israelite community. Some interpretations suggest that lending to foreigners might have been treated differently. This distinction is a point of discussion among scholars.
Underlying Assumption of a Moral Economy: The verse assumes a moral economy where lending is primarily seen as a form of assistance, not as a purely profit-driven transaction.
Practical Considerations: The verse recognizes that people may need loans, especially during times of hardship. However, it sets ethical boundaries on how those loans should be structured and managed.
In Summary:
Exodus 22:25 is a foundational text in the Hebrew Bible that addresses ethical lending practices. It stresses compassion, social responsibility, and the protection of the poor from exploitation by prohibiting interest and requiring lenders to avoid acting as harsh creditors. The verse promotes a view of lending as a way to support those in need within the community.
Exodus 22:25 - “If you lend money to any of my people with you who is poor, you shall not be to him as a creditor. You shall not charge him interest.
What does "Exodus 22:25" mean?
Exodus 22:25, "“If you lend money to any of my people with you who is poor, you shall not be to him as a creditor. You shall not charge him interest," is a key verse regarding lending and social responsibility within the Israelite community. Here's a breakdown of what it means:
Emphasis on Lending to the Poor: The verse specifically addresses loans made to the poor within the Israelite community (the phrase "my people with you" refers to fellow Israelites). This highlights the importance of helping those in need.
Prohibition of Acting as a Creditor (Oppressor): "You shall not be to him as a creditor" implies a broader attitude shift beyond just lending. It means you shouldn't act in a harsh, exploitative, or overbearing manner towards the borrower. The lender shouldn't exploit the vulnerability of the poor.
Prohibition of Interest (Usury): "You shall not charge him interest" is the core prohibition. Interest here (often called usury in older translations) refers to any charge beyond the principal amount of the loan. This prohibition aimed to prevent the lender from profiting from the borrower's misfortune.
Key Interpretations and Implications:
Social Justice and Compassion: The verse underscores the importance of social justice and compassion towards the less fortunate. It reflects a communal responsibility to care for the poor and vulnerable.
Protection from Exploitation: The law aims to prevent the wealthy from exploiting the poor through debt. By prohibiting interest, it sought to protect the borrower from becoming further impoverished by the burden of repayment.
Focus on Fellow Israelites: The verse specifically addresses lending within the Israelite community. Some interpretations suggest that lending to foreigners might have been treated differently. This distinction is a point of discussion among scholars.
Underlying Assumption of a Moral Economy: The verse assumes a moral economy where lending is primarily seen as a form of assistance, not as a purely profit-driven transaction.
Practical Considerations: The verse recognizes that people may need loans, especially during times of hardship. However, it sets ethical boundaries on how those loans should be structured and managed.
In Summary:
Exodus 22:25 is a foundational text in the Hebrew Bible that addresses ethical lending practices. It stresses compassion, social responsibility, and the protection of the poor from exploitation by prohibiting interest and requiring lenders to avoid acting as harsh creditors. The verse promotes a view of lending as a way to support those in need within the community.