CategoryBackground / Law and Economics Term
Modern Equivalentinterest charged on a loan; exploitative lending.
KJV Word TypeLegal / economic noun
DefinitionInterest charged on borrowed money, especially in contexts where such lending could exploit the poor. In the KJV, usury is often discussed in connection with covenant justice and mercy.
Key Verses"If thou lend money to any of my people that is poor by thee, thou shalt not be to him as an usurer." (Exodus 22:25); "Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle?... He that putteth not out his money to usury." (Psalm 15:1, 5)
KJV Usage NoteOften concerns lending practices among God’s people, especially protection of the poor from exploitation.
Common MisunderstandingIt does not always mean only extremely high interest in the modern legal sense; in many KJV contexts it refers broadly to interest charged in exploitative situations.
EtymologyFrom Latin usura, meaning use, interest, or payment for use.