Ezekiel 18:8

Authorized King James Version

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He that hath not given forth upon usury, neither hath taken any increase, that hath withdrawn his hand from iniquity, hath executed true judgment between man and man,

Original Language Analysis

בַּנֶּ֣שֶׁךְ upon usury H5392
בַּנֶּ֣שֶׁךְ upon usury
Strong's: H5392
Word #: 1 of 15
interest on a debt
לֹֽא H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 2 of 15
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִתֵּ֗ן He that hath not given forth H5414
יִתֵּ֗ן He that hath not given forth
Strong's: H5414
Word #: 3 of 15
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
וְתַרְבִּית֙ any increase H8636
וְתַרְבִּית֙ any increase
Strong's: H8636
Word #: 4 of 15
multiplication, i.e., percentage or bonus in addition to principal
לֹ֣א H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 5 of 15
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִקָּ֔ח neither hath taken H3947
יִקָּ֔ח neither hath taken
Strong's: H3947
Word #: 6 of 15
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
מֵעָ֖וֶל from iniquity H5766
מֵעָ֖וֶל from iniquity
Strong's: H5766
Word #: 7 of 15
(moral) evil
יָשִׁ֣יב that hath withdrawn H7725
יָשִׁ֣יב that hath withdrawn
Strong's: H7725
Word #: 8 of 15
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
יָד֑וֹ his hand H3027
יָד֑וֹ his hand
Strong's: H3027
Word #: 9 of 15
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
מִשְׁפַּ֤ט judgment H4941
מִשְׁפַּ֤ט judgment
Strong's: H4941
Word #: 10 of 15
properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind
אֱמֶת֙ true H571
אֱמֶת֙ true
Strong's: H571
Word #: 11 of 15
stability; (figuratively) certainty, truth, trustworthiness
יַֽעֲשֶׂ֔ה hath executed H6213
יַֽעֲשֶׂ֔ה hath executed
Strong's: H6213
Word #: 12 of 15
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
בֵּ֥ין H996
בֵּ֥ין
Strong's: H996
Word #: 13 of 15
between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or
לְאִֽישׁ׃ and man H376
לְאִֽישׁ׃ and man
Strong's: H376
Word #: 14 of 15
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
לְאִֽישׁ׃ and man H376
לְאִֽישׁ׃ and man
Strong's: H376
Word #: 15 of 15
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

Analysis & Commentary

'He that hath not given forth upon usury, neither hath taken any increase.' Charging interest to fellow Israelites was forbidden (Exodus 22:25, Leviticus 25:35-37, Deuteronomy 23:19-20), preventing exploitation of the poor. 'Hath withdrawn his hand from iniquity, hath executed true judgment between man and man'—the righteous person pursues justice in community relationships, settling disputes fairly rather than showing partiality.

Historical Context

Ancient Near Eastern interest rates were often 20-50%, creating debt spirals that reduced debtors to slavery. Israel's prohibition on interest among covenant members prevented this exploitation. The principle: God's people shouldn't profit from others' desperation. True judgment (mishpat) was crucial in a society without extensive legal infrastructure.

Questions for Reflection

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