Definition: Thou shalt not give him thy money upon usury, nor lend him thy victuals for increase.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this important verse from Leviticus 25:37. It’s a really significant rule about lending and borrowing money in the Old Testament. Here's what it means in simple terms: The Core of the Verse: “Thou shalt not give him thy money upon usury, nor lend him thy victuals for increase.” Let’s unpack that: “Thou shalt not give him thy money…” – This means you absolutely shouldn't loan someone your money. It’s a direct prohibition against giving them money with interest or profit. "...upon usury..." - “Usury” is a fancy word for lending money at more than the legal rate – that is, charging excessive interest. It’s essentially borrowing money and then demanding more money back later. "...nor lend him thy victuals for increase.” – This part gets a little trickier. "Victuals" means food and supplies. So, this means you shouldn't lend someone your food or goods for the purpose of making more money . It’s about lending with the expectation that they will use it to earn more money than they originally received. What it’s Teaching Us: This verse is all about honesty and fairness. It’s a warning against taking advantage of people by offering them financial help, especially when there's a potential for significant profit. It emphasizes that true wealth comes from honest work and earning your own money. Why was this rule important? The Old Testament believed that lending money was a dangerous thing because it could lead to serious problems like debt, poverty, and even violence. This verse was designed to protect the Israelites (and potentially others) from being exploited financially. In short: This verse is a strong reminder to be trustworthy with your money and not take advantage of others for personal gain. --- Do you want me to explain any of this further? For example, would you like me to: Give you an example of how this principle might have been applied in the Old Testament? Explain what “usury” is in more detail?