What does it mean when it says, "if thy brother be waxen poor"?

The phrase "if thy brother be waxen poor" describes a fellow Israelite whose wealth and strength have dropped. His “hand” has failed, meaning he can no longer support himself or his family, not because he is lazy, but because of hardship, loss, or other troubles. God tells his people to notice this kind of need, to see the poor person still as a brother, and to step in before he collapses completely. The command is to hold him up, not just feel sorry for him from a distance.

Who is the "stranger or a sojourner" that may also be helped?

The “stranger or a sojourner” is someone living among Israel who is not born into their families. He might be a convert who has joined their faith or someone who has left idols and respects Israel’s God and basic laws. Even though he is not from their own clan, God still calls them to treat him with kindness. They are to help him so that he can live among them, not be driven away by poverty or pulled back toward false worship through desperation.

What does "take thou no usury of him, or increase" mean in this passage?

"Take thou no usury of him, or increase" means that when a poor person borrows for basic needs, the lender must not charge interest or any extra on top. Whether it is money or food, the rich person is not to use the needy person’s trouble as a way to profit. Instead, the loan should be a form of mercy, helping the poor get back on their feet. The focus here is relief, not business, so taking advantage of a suffering brother is clearly forbidden.

Why does God connect lending to the command to "fear thy God"?

God ties the rule about interest to the command to “fear thy God” because he wants his people to remember that he sees what is hidden. A poor borrower may be too weak to protest unfair terms, but God is not blind to quiet greed. To fear God here means to respect his goodness, to remember he defends the poor, and to know he will call people to account. This holy respect should restrain hard hearts and make his people gentle and fair in money matters.

Why are money and food not to be given "upon usury" or "for increase"?

Money and food are not to be given “upon usury” or “for increase” when a person is in real need because God’s goal is support, not profit. Charging extra on a loan of bread or grain to a hungry person twists help into another burden. The passage treats both money and food the same way in this setting. When someone is borrowing just to live, the right response is generosity and patience, not looking for a gain from their hunger or distress.

What does "that thy brother may live with thee" tell us about the goal of this law?

The phrase "that thy brother may live with thee" shows God’s aim: he wants the poor to stay within the community and live in a stable way beside their brothers. The rich are not to push the poor out through harsh terms, but to create room for them to survive and even serve. God knows the rich benefit from the work and presence of the poor, just as the poor depend on the rich. This law protects that shared life and keeps families from being crushed.

Why does God remind them, "I am the LORD your God, which brought you forth out of Egypt"?

God reminds them he brought them out of Egypt to ground these money laws in his past kindness. They had been oppressed strangers and slaves, and God gave them freedom and favour, even moving the Egyptians to give them wealth. He then gave them the land of Canaan as a gift. Since they received mercy and riches they did not earn, they should not be harsh toward the needy. Remembering Egypt is meant to soften their hearts and shape how they treat others.

What does this passage show about God’s character toward the poor?

This passage shows that God cares deeply for the poor and protects them. He sees when someone “falls in decay” and commands his people to act, not ignore it. He forbids using another person’s hardship as a chance to gain wealth. He ties kindness to the poor to fear of him and to memories of his saving work. All of this reveals a God who is generous, just, and attentive to those who cannot defend themselves, and who expects his people to mirror that mercy.

How can the commands about usury here guide believers in handling money today?

The passage speaks about lending to those in real need, not about every kind of business loan. Still, the heart behind it gives clear guidance. When someone is struggling just to live, money should not be used to trap them in deeper trouble. Believers are called to see needy people as brothers and neighbours, to be ready to give and lend without harsh terms, and to remember how God has helped them. Fairness, mercy, and a healthy fear of God should shape all financial dealings.

Lev.25.35

Leviticus 25:35

KJV GOD

¶ And if thy brother be waxen poor, and fallen in decay with thee; then thou shalt relieve him: yea, though he be a stranger, or a sojourner; that he may live with thee.

Redemption of the Poor

¶ And if thy brother be waxen poor, and fallen in decay with thee; then thou shalt relieve him: yea, though he be a stranger, or a sojourner; that he may live with thee.

Take thou no usury of him, or increase: but fear thy God; that thy brother may live with thee.

Thou shalt not give him thy money upon usury, nor lend him thy victuals for increase.

I am the Lord your God, which brought you forth out of the land of Egypt, to give you the land of Canaan, and to be your God.

Cross References

No cross references available for this verse.