Dictionaries :: Usury

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Usury:

the sum paid for the use of money, hence interest; not, as in the modern sense, exorbitant interest. The Jews were forbidden to exact usury (Lev 25:36,37), only, however, in their dealings with each other (Deu 23:19,20). The violation of this law was viewed as a great crime (Psa 15:5; Pro 28:8; Jer 15:10). After the Return, and later, this law was much neglected (Neh 5:7,10).

International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia

Usury:

u'-zhu-ri:

1. In the Old Testament:

The Hebrew law concerning exaction of interest upon loans was very humane. Hebrews were to lend to their brethren without interest (Ex 22:25; Le 25:36 f; De 23:19 f). This, however, did not apply to a stranger (De 23:20). Two stems are used in the Old Testament, rendered in the King James Version "usury," in the Revised Version (British and American) better rendered "interest":

(1) verb nashah (Ex 22:25; Isa 24:2; Jer 15:10), and the noun form, mashsha' (Ne 5:7,10);

(2) a stronger and more picturesque word, nashakh, "to bite," "to vex," and so "to lend on interest" (De 23:19,20); noun form neshekh (Ex 22:25; Le 25:36 f; Ps 15:5; Pr 28:8; Eze 18:8,13,17; 22:12).

It would be easy to go from a fair rate of interest to an unfair rate, as seen in the history of the word "usury," which has come to mean an exorbitant or unlawful interest. Abuses arose during the exile. Nehemiah forced the people after the return to-give back exactions of "one hundredth," or 1 percent monthly which they took from their brethren (Ne 5:10 f; compare Eze 22:12). A good citizen of Zion is one who did not put out his money to usury (Ps 15:5). One who is guilty of this comes to disaster (Pr 28:8).

2. In the New Testament:

The Greek word is tokos, literally, "offspring," interest springing out of the principal. Money lenders were numerous among the Jews in Christ's day, and, in the parable of the Talents, He represents the lord of the unprofitable servant as rebuking the sloth in the words, "I should have received mine own with interest" (Mt 25:27; Lu 19:23 the Revised Version (British and American)).

Written by Edward Bagby Pollard

King James Dictionary

Usury: Interest.

And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin: for I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow. And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow: wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with USURY? (Luke 19:20-23)

Nave's Topical Bible

Usury: Definition Of

Interest, not necessarily unreasonable exaction, but all income from loans

Usury: Forbidden

Exd 22:25; Lev 25:35-37; Deu 23:19; Psa 15:5; Pro 28:8; Jer 15:10; Eze 18:8, 13, 17; 22:12

Usury: Exaction Of

Rebuked,

Neh 5:1-13.

Usury: Authorized

Of strangers (foreigners),

Deu 23:20.

Usury: Exacted by Jews

Eze 22:12

Usury: Just Men Innocent of the Vice of Requiring

Eze 18:8

Usury: References Concerning

See INTEREST; MONEY

Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words

Usury:

Note: The RV, "interest," Mat 25:27; Luk 19:23, is the preferable rendering of tokos here.
See INTEREST.

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Usury:

(The word usury has come in modern English to mean excessive interest upon money loaned, either formally illegal or at least oppressive. In the Scriptures, however the word did not bear this sense, but meant simply interest of any kind upon money. The Jews were forbidden by the law of Moses to take interest from their brethren, but were permitted to take it from foreigners. The prohibition grew out of the agricultural status of the people, in which ordinary business loans were not needed. and loans as were required should be made only as to friends and brothers in need.-ED.) The practice of mortgaging land, sometimes at exorbitant interest, grew up among the Jews during the captivity, in direct violation of the law (Leviticus 25:36-37; Ezekiel 18:8; 18:13; 18:17). We find the rate reaching 1 in 100 per month, corresponding to the Roman centisimae usurae, or 12 per cent. per annum.