Dict: easton - Debt

Debt @ The Mosaic law encouraged the practice of lending kjv@Deuteronomy:15:7; kjv@Psalms:37:26; kjv@Matthew:5:42); but it forbade the exaction of interest except from foreigners. Usury was strongly condemned kjv@Proverbs:28:8; kjv@Ezekiel:18:8 kjv@Ezekiel:18:13, 17; 22:12; kjv@Psalms:15:5). On the Sabbatical year all pecuniary obligations were cancelled kjv@Deuteronomy:15:1-11). These regulations prevented the accumulation of debt.

Debtor @ Various regulations as to the relation between debtor and creditor are laid down in the Scriptures.

(1.) The debtor was to deliver up as a pledge to the creditor what he could most easily dispense with kjv@Deuteronomy:24:10-11).

(2.) A mill, or millstone, or upper garment, when given as a pledge, could not be kept over night kjv@Exodus:22:26-27).

(3.) A debt could not be exacted during the Sabbatic year kjv@Deuteronomy:15:1-15). For other laws bearing on this relation see kjv@Leviticus:25:14 kjv@Leviticus:25:32, 39; kjv@Matthew:18:25 kjv@Matthew:18:34.

(4.) A surety was liable in the same way as the original debtor kjv@Proverbs:11:15 kjv@Proverbs:17:18).