EXOD694 Commenting on this law, Rashi notes that the Hebrew word for interest (neshekh) is related to the word for bite (neshikhah). In Rashi's words: "Neshekh" means interest since it is like the bite (neshikhah) of a snake, which bites making a small wound on one foot which he does not feel, but certainly it blows up as far as his head. So with interest--one does not feel it and it is not at first noticeable until the interest increases and causes one to lose much money. Rashi to Exodus 22:24.