| Word | American Tract Society - Definition |
| USURY | As employed in our version of the Bible, means only interest. When our translation was made, the word usury had not assumed the bad sense which it now has. The Jews might require interest of foreigners, De 23:19-20, but were forbidden to receive it from each other, Ex 22:25 Ps 15:5; being instructed to lend money, etc., in a spirit of brotherly kindness, "hoping for nothing again," De 15:7-11 Lu 6:33-35. The exacting of usury is often rebuked, Ne 5:7,10 Pr 28:8 Eze 22:12-14. The Mosaic code was adapted to a non-commercial people, but its principles of equity and charity are of perpetual and universal obligation. |