You asked

what were common interest rates in other ancient near eastern cultures at this time?

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

Exodus 22:25

““If you lend money to any of my people who is poor among you, you shall not be to him as a creditor. You shall not charge him interest.””

This verse is part of the Law given to Moses at Mount Sinai, outlining God's expectations for how the Israelites should treat one another, especially the vulnerable. It's a foundational instruction about economic ethics within the community.

What does this passage reveal about the role of compassion in economic transactions within a community?

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Read alongside it

Deuteronomy 23:19-20
This passage further clarifies the prohibition of charging interest to fellow Israelites, but permits it to foreigners.
Leviticus 25:35-37
This expands on the principle, linking interest-free lending to supporting a struggling countryman.
Nehemiah 5:1-11
This describes a situation where Israelites exploited fellow Israelites with excessive interest, leading Nehemiah to demand reform.

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