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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Exodus 22:25-31

Here is, I. A law against extortion in lending. 1. They must not receive use for money from any that borrowed for necessity (Exod. 22:25), as in that case, Neh. 5:5, 7. And such provision the law made for the preservation of estates to their families by the year of jubilee that a people who had little concern in trade could not be supposed to borrow money but for necessity, and therefore it is generally forbidden among themselves; but to a stranger, whom yet they might not oppress, they were... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 22:25

If thou lend money to any of my people that is poor by thee , Such only need to borrow money, and to whom it should be freely lent, when it may be to the good of the borrower, and not any injury to the lender: this law, according to the Jewish writers, only respects Israelites, and not Gentiles; agreeably to which is Jarchi's note,"if thou lend, that is, not to a Gentile; and to which of my people? the poor, and to which of the poor? that is with thee:" thou shalt not be to him as an... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 22:25

Neither shalt thou lay upon him usury - נשך neshech , from nashach , to bite, cut, or pierce with the teeth; biting usury. So the Latins call it usura vorax , devouring usury. "The increase of usury is called נשך neshech , because it resembles the biting of a serpent; for as this is so small as scarcely to be perceptible at first, but the venom soon spreads and diffuses itself till it reaches the vitals, so the increase of usury, which at first is not perceived nor felt, at... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 22:25

Verse 25 25.If thou lend money to any of my people Humanity ought to be very greatly regarded in the matter of loans, especially when a person, being reduced to extremities, implores a rich man’s compassion; for this is, in. point of fact, the genuine trial of our charity, when, in accordance with Christ’s precept, we lend to those of whom we expect no return. (Luke 6:35.) The question here is not as to usury, as some have falsely thought, (111) as if he commanded us to lend gratuitously, and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 22:1-31

Exodus 21:33 If a man shall open a pit. Rather, "If a man shall uncover a cistern." Cisterns, very necessary in Palestine, were usually closed by a flat-stone, or a number of planks. To obtain water from them, they had to be uncovered; but it was the duty of the man who uncovered them, to replace the covering when his wants were satisfied. Or dig a pit and not cover it . A man who was making a cistern might neglect to cover it while it was in course of construction, or even... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 22:16-28

The severity and the tenderness of God. The miscellaneous laws thrown together, without any clear logical sequence or indeed any manifest connection, in the latter part of this chapter, may, generally speaking, be grouped under the two heads of instances of the Divine severity, and instances of the Divine tenderness. Here, as in so many places, "mercy and truth meet together—righteousness and peace kiss each other." God is as merciful to the weak and helpless as severe towards the bold and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 22:21-29

Jehovah's proteges and representatives. I. JEHOVAH 'S PROTEGES ( Exodus 22:21-28 ). These are the stranger, the fatherless, the widow, and the poor generally—all of whom the Israelites are forbidden to "afflict." The ground of Jehovah's interest in them is his own character—"for I am gracious" ( Exodus 22:27 ). In him, however little they may sometimes think of it or feel it, they have a constant Friend, a great invisible Protector. They are (in the sense of Roman law)... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 22:25-27

The law of lending money and borrowing . It is peculiar to the Jewish law to forbid the lending of money at interest by citizen to citizen. In the present passage, and in some others (Le Exodus 25:35 ; Deuteronomy 15:7 ), it might seem that interest was only forbidden in the case of a loan to one who was poor; but the general execration of usury ( Job 24:9 ; Proverbs 28:8 ; Ezekiel 18:13 ; Ezekiel 22:12 ), and the description of the righteous man as "he that hath not given his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 22:25-27

The treatment of the poor. Here are two regulations, commanding not to be usurious in the lending of money to the poor, and not to retain the pledged garment over night. How forcibly they bring out the one crowning ill connected with poverty in the eyes of the world! The poor man is the man without money; and lack of money bars his way in only too many directions. Let him be ever so noble in character, ever so heroic, wise, and self-denying in action, it avails nothing. The poor wise man... read more

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