Thou shalt not give him thy money upon usury, nor lend him thy victuals for increase.

[vil]

Dear teachers,

Here is a sentence which was found to be very ill-defined in my judgment.

Thou shalt not give him thy money upon usury, nor lend him thy victuals for increase.

I know that “victuals” belonging to living or nourishment, food for human beings, especially when it is cooked or prepared for the table, provisions, sustenance, meat, viands, vittles.

Would you be kind enough to tell me whether “for increase” as a matter of fact is “on the increase” = becoming greater (as in size, number or amount)?

Would you lend me a hand by the interpretation of the whole phrase “victuals for increase”? Would you help me to get out of the wood?

Thank you for your efforts,

V.

[svartnik]

for profit