Leviticus 25:37You shall not lend him your money at interest, nor give him your food for profit.
The setting
Mount Sinai, ~1445 BC. God details the Jubilee year laws. Every 50 years, debts are forgiven and slaves freed. This verse explains the heart behind it — money and food should restore, not exploit.
The emotion here: fierce compassion for those facing hunger and homelessness
The original word
kesef (כֶּסֶף) — silver, the standard currency, literally means 'that which is weighed'
Why it matters
Food loans were common in ancient times when crops failed — charging interest meant profiting from someone's hunger
Read with care
What most readers miss in Leviticus 25:37
This covers both money AND food — God cares about meeting immediate physical needs, not just financial systems
Common misconceptionThis verse isn't about banking regulations. It's about the difference between business and charity — when someone is desperate, you help, you don't profit.
The thread continues
Verses that echo Leviticus 25:37
Bible Genome reading
Leviticus 25:37 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
Leviticus 25:37 comes from the book of Leviticus, written during the exodus period. These words are attributed to God. The dominant emotion in this verse is deciding, with a comfort power of 40% and a tone that is commanding. It belongs to the law genre of biblical literature. Key themes include economic ethics, generosity. Notable phrases: not lend at interest; not give for profit. This verse contains a command.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same deciding
“"You shall have no other gods before me.”
— Deuteronomy 5:7
“"You shall not murder.”
— Exodus 20:13
“Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
— Matthew 23:12
“For God didn't give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.”
— 2 Timothy 1:7
“But Peter said, "Silver and gold have I none, but what I have, that I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!"”
— Acts 3:6
Your reflection
What does Leviticus 25:37 mean to you, today?
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