Lev 25:35-37 | NETfull | STEP | “‘If your brother becomes impoverished and is indebted to you, you must support him; he must live with you like a foreign resident.

Leviticus 25:35-37

Debt and Slave Regulations

35 “‘If your brother ^{▼▼ It is not clear to whom this refers. It is probably broader than “sibling” (cf. NRSV “any of your kin”; NLT “any of your Israelite relatives”) but some English versions take it to mean “fellow Israelite” (so TEV; cf. NAB, NIV “countrymen”) and others are ambiguous (cf. CEV “any of your people”).} becomes impoverished and is indebted to you, ^{▼▼ Heb “and his hand slips with you.”} you must support ^{▼▼ Heb “strengthen”; NASB “sustain.”} him; he must live ^{▼▼ The form וָחַי (vakhay, “and shall live”) looks like the adjective “living,” but the MT form is simply the same verb written as a double ayin verb (see HALOT 309 s.v. חיה qal, and GKC 218 #76.i; cf. Lev 18:5).} with you like a foreign resident. ^{▼▼ Heb “a foreigner and resident,” which is probably to be combined (see B. A. Levine, Leviticus [JPSTC], 170–71).} 36 Do not take interest or profit from him, ^{▼▼ The meaning of the terms rendered “interest” and “profit” is much debated (see the summaries in P. J. Budd, Leviticus [NCBC], 354–55 and B. A. Levine, Leviticus [JPSTC], 178). Verse 37, however, suggests that the first refers to a percentage of money and the second percentage of produce (see J. E. Hartley, Leviticus [WBC], 421).} but you must fear your God and your brother must live ^{▼▼ In form the Hebrew term וְחֵי (v^ekhey, “shall live”) is the construct plural noun (i.e., “the life of”), but here it is used as the finite verb (cf. v. 35 and GKC 218 #76.i).} with you. 37 You must not lend him your money at interest and you must not sell him food for profit. ^{▼▼ Heb “your money” and “your food.” With regard to “interest” and “profit” see the note on v. 36 above.}