Proverbs 28:8 - Exposition

He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance. "Usury" ( neshek ) is interest on money lent taken in money; "unjust gain" ( tarbith ) is interest taken in kind, as if a man, having lent a bushel of corn, exacted two bushels in return. All such transactions were forbidden by the Law of Moses, at any rate between Israelites (see Le 25:36, 37, "Thou shalt not give thy brother thy money upon usury ( neshek ), nor lend him thy victuals for increase [ marbith , equivalent to tarbith , which is used in verse 36] "). Septuagint, ΄ετὰ τόκων καὶ πλεονασμῶν , "With interest and usury." (For censure of usury, see Psalms 109:11 ; Ezekiel 18:13 ; and, contrast Psalms 15:5 ; Ezekiel 18:8 .) He shall gather it for him that will pity the poor. He shall never enjoy it himself, and shall fall into the hands of one who will hake a better use of it (see on Proverbs 22:16 ; and comp Proverbs 13:22 ; Job 27:16 , etc.). In our Lord's parable the pound is taken from one who made no good use of it and is given to a more profitable servant ( Luke 19:24 ).