נֶ֫שֶׁךְ
ne.shekh
interest
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Hebrew word "ne.shekh" (H5392) is defined as "interest." This financial concept appears 12 times in the Hebrew Bible, primarily within the book of Exodus and Deuteronomy. Given its context, it is clear that "ne.shekh" refers to the additional charges or fees collected on borrowed money, essentially representing the cost of loaning or investing. The term's range of usage is limited to financial matters, specifically involving money lending and borrowing. In this sense, "ne.shekh" highlights the complexities and potential pitfalls of financial transactions in the ancient Israelite economy. It underlines the importance of prudent financial behavior, such as fairness and transparency, in dealing with money lending and borrowing. The significance of "ne.shekh" in the Hebrew Bible lies in its depiction of economic relationships and principles that governed ancient Israelite society. By including this term in their moral teachings, the biblical authors aimed to emphasize the responsible handling of finances and the need for social equality in economic activities, where the poor and vulnerable would not be exploited.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
12 total occurrences across the text
he who doesn’t lend out his money for usury, nor take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be shaken.
Leviticus 25:37You shall not lend him your money at interest, nor give him your food for profit.
Proverbs 28:8He who increases his wealth by excessive interest gathers it for one who has pity on the poor.
Ezekiel 18:8he who hasn’t lent to them with interest, hasn’t taken any increase from them, who has withdrawn his hand from iniquity, has executed true justice between man and man,
Ezekiel 18:13has lent with interest, and has taken increase from the poor; shall he then live? He shall not live. He has done all these abominations. He shall surely die. His blood will be on him.
Ezekiel 18:17who has withdrawn his hand from the poor, who hasn’t received interest or increase, has executed my ordinances, has walked in my statutes; he shall not die for the iniquity of his father. He shall surely live.
Ezekiel 22:12In you have they taken bribes to shed blood. You have taken interest and increase, and you have greedily gained of your neighbors by oppression, and have forgotten me,” says the Lord Yahweh.
Exodus 22:25“If you lend money to any of my people with you who is poor, you shall not be to him as a creditor. You shall not charge him interest.
Leviticus 25:36Take no interest from him or profit; but fear your God, that your brother may live among you.
Deuteronomy 23:19You shall not lend on interest to your brother: interest of money, interest of food, interest of anything that is lent on interest.
Deuteronomy 23:19You shall not lend on interest to your brother: interest of money, interest of food, interest of anything that is lent on interest.
Deuteronomy 23:19You shall not lend on interest to your brother: interest of money, interest of food, interest of anything that is lent on interest.