Thou shalt not lend upon usury to thy brother; usury of money, usury of victuals, usury of any thing that is lent upon usury:
Don't charge interest when you lend to your fellow Israelite, whether you're lending money, food, or anything else that could earn interest.
God is telling His people not to take advantage of each other financially by charging interest on loans within their community.
📚 Historical Context
In ancient Israel, as outlined in the Book of Deuteronomy, God was establishing laws for the Israelites to govern their daily lives and promote justice in a society surrounded by nations that practiced exploitative lending. This verse specifically prohibited charging interest on loans to fellow Israelites, including money, food, or any other goods, to protect the vulnerable from falling into debt slavery and to foster community welfare. It reflected the broader biblical emphasis on economic fairness as part of God's covenant with His people.
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