Debt

Debt - (Easton's Bible Dictionary)

The Mosaic law encouraged the practice of lending (Deut. 15:7; Ps. 37:26; Matt. 5:42); but it forbade the exaction of interest except from foreigners. Usury was strongly condemned (Prov. 28:8; Ezek. 18:8, 13, 17; 22:12; Ps. 15:5). On the Sabbatical year all pecuniary obligations were cancelled (Deut. 15:1-11). These regulations prevented the accumulation of debt.

Debt - (Webster's 1828 Dictionary)

DEBT, n. det. [L. debitum, contracted.]

1. That which is due from one person to another, whether money, goods, or services; that which one person is bound to pay or perform to another; as the debts of a bankrupt; the debts of a nobleman. It is a common misfortune or vice to be in debt.

When you run in debt, you give to another power over your liberty.

2. That which any one is obliged to do or to suffer.

Your son, my lord, has paid a soldier's debt.

Hence death is called the debt of nature.

3. In law, an action to recover a debt. This is a customary ellipsis. He brought debt, instead of an action of debt.

4. In scripture, sin; trespass; guilt; crime; that which renders liable to punishment.

Forgive us our debts. Lord's Prayer.