Deuteronomy 23:21

Key Reflection

In Deuteronomy 23:21, Moses instructs the Israelites that while they can charge foreigners interest on loans, they must not do so for fellow Israelites. This command reflects a broader economic and social ethic within ancient Israelite society, emphasizing solidarity among the people of God. The original audience would have understood this as a way to distinguish between foreign and domestic borrowers, ensuring that fellow Israelites were treated with preferential care, which in turn was seen as pleasing to God and beneficial for their prosperity in the land promised to them.