You asked

how did ancient societies typically view lending and interest compared to israel's laws?

The passage, plainly, with room to sit with it.

Deuteronomy 23:19-20

“You shall not lend on interest to your brother: interest of money, interest of food, interest of anything that is lent on interest. You may lend on interest to a foreigner; but to your brother you shall not lend on interest, that Yahweh your God may bless you in all that you put your hand to, in the land where you go in to possess it.”

This passage is part of Moses' address to the Israelites as they prepare to enter the Promised Land, reiterating and expanding on the laws given at Mount Sinai. It outlines specific rules for community life, including economic practices, to foster a distinct and just society under God's covenant.

What responsibility does this distinction in lending practices place on us when we consider our 'community' today?

Keep thinking

Read alongside it

Leviticus 25:35-37
Another Mosaic law prohibiting interest on loans to fellow Israelites, emphasizing support for the poor.
Exodus 22:25
An earlier law focusing on not charging interest to the poor among the Israelites.
Nehemiah 5:1-11
A historical account showing how the practice of charging interest to fellow Israelites led to significant social distress and injustice.

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