Ezekiel 18:8

He [that] hath not given forth upon usury,.... Money, victuals, or any other thing, which was forbidden the Jews to take of their brethren, though they might of strangers, Deuteronomy 23:19; neither

He that hath not given forth upon usury, neither hath taken any increase, that hath withdrawn his hand from iniquity, hath executed true judgment between man and man, Usury - literally, biting [

Given forth; lent or put into another’ s hand, on condition of returning not the same, or equal value, but much more. Upon usury; biting usury, (as the word implieth,) which no doubt is prohibited because of the injury it doth to the borrower, and the undue gain it brings to the lender. A rigorous imposing conditions of gain for the loan of money or goods, and exacting them without respect to the condition of the borrower, whether he gain or lose; whether poverty occasioned his borrowing, or whether visible likelihood of gain by employing the borrowed goods; which sort of usury is against both the law of charity, as well as against the express will of God, who prohibits it, ,20. Any is not in the Hebrew, though interpreters here insert it for the greater emphasis and weight. This increase here mentioned is by the critics in the Hebrew said to be either a receiving of the borrower some gratuity for lending that, for which the borrower must pay use also; a kind of oppression too common among us, called procuration, or continuation; or else when the buyer is required to increase the price, or return the thing he bought, which growing dearer than at the time he received it, proves an oppression to him. And this I suppose was usual among the covetous traders, who sold and gave day for payment; but if the commodity grew dearer, they exacted the thing again, or the increased price. That hath withdrawn his hand from iniquity: this I think is not here to be taken in the larger sense, as if it referred to all iniquity, but in a restrictive sense, and as it refers to the iniquity and injustice of lenders and sellers; he that with care and conscience hath withdrawn his hand from all indirect or direct ways of forbidden usury. Hath executed true judgment between man and man: this refers to this particular case of usury and taking increase; as if the prophet would make every man judge of the case ere he takes any thing, and requires him to judge according to truth, whether any, or how much, may be expected and received, whether no wrong be to the lender or borrower in the case. And so the whole will amount to this, he that in his lending hath truly weighed the borrower’ s case, and used him with kindness as he would be used himself, this man is no usurer.

Ezekiel 18:8 He [that] hath not given forth upon usury, neither hath taken any increase, [that] hath withdrawn his hand from iniquity, hath executed true judgment between man and man,Ver. 8. He that hath not given forth upon usury.] Of this sin, see what I have said elsewhere. Neither hath taken any increase.] Interest we call it now, after the French, who first helped us to that fine word. But let the patrons of usury consider that what distinctions soever they bring for it, God alloweth here of no usury, but condemneth both Neshec the biting, and Tarbith the toothless usury, as equally naught. That hath withdrawn his hand from iniquity.] Whether it be injury to another, revenge, raking together riches of unrighteousness, reaching after honours, &c. Hath executed true judgment.] Without partiality or passion, whether he be a judge or an arbitrator. Nihil interest inter funas et foenus; nihil inter mortem distat et sortem. - Ambros.

(8) Given forth upon usury.—In Scripture usury does not mean excessive interest, as often in modern legislation, but any interest at all. This was strictly forbidden in the law to be taken of any Hebrew, though allowed, without limit as to amount, from foreigners. It had nothing to do with the regulation of commercial transactions, but was simply a law of kindness to a fellow member of the same household of faith in a primitive state of society. The Israelite was to lend freely to his impoverished neighbour to assist him, but without any expectation of gain for himself. Executed true judgment.—This applies, of course, especially and directly to judicial sentences, but extends also to all cases in which one is brought to intervene in any way in transactions between others. What is required is absolute fairness, truthfulness, and integrity in the constant transactions of man with man.

Verse 8. 10. Hath not given forth upon usury] בנשך לא יתן beneshech lo yitten. נשך nasach signifies to bite; usury is properly so termed, because it bites into and devours the principal. Usury signifies, with us, exacting unlawful interest for money; and taking the advantage of a man's necessities to advance him cash on exorbitant profit. This bites the receiver in his property, and the lender in his salvation. 11. Neither hath taken any increase] In lending has not required more than was lent; and has not taken that product of the cash lent, which was more than the value for its use. This may be a part of the tenth article. 12. That hath withdrawn his hand from iniquity] Never associates with those who act contrary to justice and equity; his hand or influence being never found among evil workers. 13. Hath executed true judgment between man and man] Being neither swayed by prejudice, fear, nor favour. These thirteen points concern his social and civil relations.

8. On usury cf. the humane law, Leviticus 25:35-37. The case supposed is that of lending to the poor, Exodus 22:25; Deuteronomy 23:20. executed true judgment] When acting as judge, or as umpire between man and man.

Usury - is the profit exacted for the loan of money, “increase” that which is taken for goods; both are forbidden Leviticus 25:36; Deuteronomy 23:19.

8. References, Exodus 22:25; Leviticus 25:36-37; Deuteronomy 1:16; Deuteronomy 23:19. Usury — Any interest charged to Hebrews was prohibited by the law, and therefore was usury in the modern sense of illegal interest.