Leviticus 25:35-38·~1 min

Redemption of the Poor

A destitute countryman is to be supported like a resident foreigner so that he can keep living among the people. Loans and food must not become instruments of profit, because the LORD who brought Israel from Egypt is their God.

N³⁵ow if your countryman becomes destitute and cannot support himself among you, then you are to help him as you would a foreigner or stranger, so that he can continue to live among you. ³⁶Do not take any interest or profit from him, but fear your God, that your countryman may live among you. ³⁷You must not lend him your silver at interest or sell him your food for profit. ³⁸I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt to give you the land of Canaan and to be your God.

Verse 35If a countryman becomes destitute and cannot support himself, he is to be helped so that he may continue living among the people.

This verse gives the positive command of support.

Verse 36No interest or profit is to be taken from him; instead, the people are to fear God so that he may live among them.

This verse forbids gain from a brother’s poverty.

Verse 37Money must not be lent at interest, and food must not be sold to him for profit.

This verse names the specific forms of prohibited exploitation.

Verse 38The LORD identifies himself as the one who brought Israel out of Egypt, gave them Canaan, and became their God.

This verse grounds the command in Israel’s redeemed identity.

Passage shape

A quiet block diagram: each row is one authored paragraph movement, with verse numbers kept visible for scanning and deeper work.

vv. 35-38
A destitute countryman is to be supported like a resident foreigner so that he can keep living among the people. Loans and food must not become instruments of profit, because the LORD who brought Israel from Egypt is their God.
This paragraph defines the obligation to preserve a poor brother’s life without exploitation.
35 36 37 38

Section summaryWhen an Israelite falls into poverty, the right response is support, not profit. The poor neighbor is to be sustained so he can continue living among the people, without interest on money or gain on food.

Role in the chapterThis brief section turns from property law to direct economic mercy. It makes covenant memory practical by forbidding the use of another’s hardship as an opportunity for gain.