If he is a poor man, you shall not sleep with his pledge. You shall surely restore to him the pledge when the sun goes down, that he may sleep in his garment and bless you. It shall be righteousness to you before Yahweh your God.
Show the surrounding paragraph
Deuteronomy 24:12-13 sits inside this longer paragraph.
When you lend your neighbor any kind of loan, you shall not go into his house to get his pledge. You shall stand outside, and the man to whom you lend shall bring the pledge outside to you. If he is a poor man, you shall not sleep with his pledge. You shall surely restore to him the pledge when the sun goes down, that he may sleep in his garment and bless you. It shall be righteousness to you before Yahweh your God.
Parallel Translations
-
If he is a poor man, you shall not sleep with his pledge.
You shall surely restore to him the pledge when the sun goes down, that he may sleep in his garment and bless you. It shall be righteousness to you before Yahweh your God.
-
And if the man be poor, thou shalt not sleep with his pledge:
In any case thou shalt deliver him the pledge again when the sun goeth down, that he may sleep in his own raiment, and bless thee: and it shall be righteousness unto thee before the LORD thy God.
Show all 3 translations
-
And if he be a poor man, thou shalt not sleep with his pledge;
thou shalt surely restore to him the pledge when the sun goeth down, that he may sleep in his garment, and bless thee; and it shall be righteousness unto thee before the LORD thy God.
Examined in Scripture Analysis
Commandments (2)
The laws of the Torah, each cited and shown as a primary source.
Cross-references (23)
- Deuteronomy 6:25 (v13) It shall be righteousness to us, if we observe to do all these commandments before Yahweh our God, as he has commanded us.”
- Daniel 4:27 (v13) Therefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable to you, and break off your sins by righteousness, and your iniquities by showing mercy to…
- Exodus 22:26-27 (v13) If you take your neighbor’s garment as collateral, you shall restore it to him before the sun goes down, for that is his only covering, it…
- Deuteronomy 24:17 (v12) You shall not deprive the foreigner or the fatherless of justice, nor take a widow’s clothing in pledge;
- Deuteronomy 24:15 (v13) In his day you shall give him his wages, neither shall the sun go down on it; for he is poor and sets his heart on it; lest he cry against…
Show all 23 cross-references
- Genesis 15:6 (v13) He believed in Yahweh, who credited it to him for righteousness.
- Deuteronomy 15:9-10 (v13) Beware that there not be a wicked thought in your heart, saying, “The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand,” and your eye be evil…
- Job 24:7-8 (v13) They lie all night naked without clothing, and have no covering in the cold. They are wet with the showers of the mountains, and embrace…
- Job 29:11-13 (v13) For when the ear heard me, then it blessed me; and when the eye saw me, it commended me: Because I delivered the poor who cried, and the…
- Job 31:16-20 (v13) “If I have withheld the poor from their desire, or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail, or have eaten my morsel alone, and the…
- Psalms 106:30-31 (v13) Then Phinehas stood up and executed judgment, so the plague was stopped. That was credited to him for righteousness, for all generations to…
- Psalms 112:9 (v13) He has dispersed, he has given to the poor. His righteousness endures forever. His horn will be exalted with honor.
- Isaiah 58:8 (v13) Then your light will break out as the morning, and your healing will appear quickly; then your righteousness shall go before you, and…
- Ezekiel 18:7 (v13) and has not wronged any, but has restored to the debtor his pledge, has taken nothing by robbery, has given his bread to the hungry, and…
- Ezekiel 18:12 (v13) has wronged the poor and needy, has taken by robbery, has not restored the pledge, and has lifted up his eyes to the idols, has committed…
- Ezekiel 33:15 (v13) if the wicked restore the pledge, give again that which he had taken by robbery, walk in the statutes of life, committing no iniquity; he…
- Amos 2:8 (v13) and they lay themselves down beside every altar on clothes taken in pledge; and in the house of their God they drink the wine of those who…
- Ephesians 4:26 (v13) “Be angry, and don’t sin.” Don’t let the sun go down on your wrath,
- 2 Timothy 1:16-18 (v13) May the Lord grant mercy to the house of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain, but when he was in Rome,…
- James 1:27 (v13) Pure religion and undefiled before our God and Father is this: to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself…
- James 2:13-23 (v13) For judgment is without mercy to him who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment. What good is it, my brothers, if a man says he…
- Ezekiel 18:16 (v13) hasn’t wronged any, hasn’t taken anything to pledge, hasn’t taken by robbery, but has given his bread to the hungry, and has covered the…
- 2 Corinthians 9:13-14 (v13) seeing that through the proof given by this service, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the Good News of Christ and…
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this passage (12 sources)
Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.
Private notes
Saved on this device only — never synced or sent anywhere.
Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On v13 Though he would be unthankful, yet God will not…
Though he would be unthankful, yet God will not forget it.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv12–13 Deu 24:12 And if the man [be] poor, thou…
Deu 24:12 And if the man [be] poor, thou shalt not sleep with his pledge:
Ver. 12. Thou shalt not sleep with his pledge.] As those cruel crafties did, {Amo 2:8} that "sold the righteous for silver, and the poor for a pair of shoes." {Amo 2:6}
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv12–13 But restore it before night, which intimates that he…
But restore it before night, which intimates that he should take no such thing for pledge, without which a man cannot sleep, since it were an idle thing to fetch it and carry it every day. See Poole "Exo 22:26,27".
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv12–13 And if the man be poor,.... Which may be…
And if the man be poor,.... Which may be thought to be the case of everyone that gives pledges for a debt he owes, or a sum of money he borrows; yet there might be a difference: some might be so very destitute of goods and raiment in their houses, that whatever they parted with was distressing to them, and they could not well do without it:
thou shalt not sleep with his pledge; nor keep it a night; but deliver it to him, before he went to bed, and laid himself down to sleep.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On vv12–13 Thou shalt not sleep - But restore it before…
Thou shalt not sleep - But restore it before night, which intimates that he should take no such thing for pledge, without which a man cannot sleep.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On v12 Verse 12. And if the man be poor, c.]…
Verse 12. And if the man be poor, c.] Did not this law preclude pledging entirely, especially in case of the abjectly poor? For who would take a pledge in the morning which he knew, if not redeemed, he must restore at night? However, he might resume his claim in the morning, and have the pledge daily returned, and thus keep up his property in it till the debt was discharged See Clarke on Ex 22:26. The Jews in several cases did act contrary to this rule, and we find them cuttingly reproved for it by the Prophet Amos, Am 2:8.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On vv12–13 Night, if it be a garment or bed covering,…
Night, if it be a garment or bed covering, which may be necessary for the poor man. (Haydock) --- By allowing the creditor to keep the pledge such a short time, God wished to discourage the taking of any from such as were in real distress. (Menochius) --- The same regulation required, that if a necessary implement for labour, during the day time, was pledged, it should be returned in the morning. (Calmet) --- This was done every day, to admonish the creditor and the debtor to exercise mercy and justice in their respective situations. The debtor was to remember to do his utmost in order to pay his debts. (St. Augustine, q. 41.) --- These daily debts were not remitted in the sabbatic years, according to the Rabbins, whose opinion seems very hard and inconsistent. (Haydock) --- Solomon advises not to stand bond for another’s debts, Proverbs xx. 16., and xxii. 26. Many nations in the Indies allowed no action at law to recover debts, as the creditor ought to have taken his precautions before he parted with his money or merchandize. (Stobœus.; Strabo, xv.) (Calmet)
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On v12 12. Thou shalt not sleep with his pledge —…
12. Thou shalt not sleep with his pledge — As the poor debtor might have nothing to cover him but his outer garment, which served him for his bed. This the creditor was not to keep at night. Comp. Exo_22:25-26.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On v13 13. sleep in his garment] Heb. salmah (Deu_29:4 and…
13. sleep in his garment] Heb. salmah (Deu_29:4 and E, Exodus 22), transp. from the more frequent simlah (Deu_8:4, Deu_10:18, Deu_21:13, Deu_22:3; Deu_22:17), the large outer robe which the peasant can dispense with by day while at work, but which he almost invariably sleeps in; cp. Amo_2:8, Job_22:6, Pro_20:16.
and it shall be righteousness unto thee] Characteristic of D (cp. Deu_6:25). E, Exo_22:27 (26): when he crieth unto me I will hear; for I am gracious.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain On v13 Thou shalt have a perfect and just weight, measure.
Deu_24:13-16
Thou shalt have a perfect and just weight, measure.
Read full note →
The Christian in commerce
I. Endeavour to point out what Christianity requires of a man in his dealings in business with his fellow men.
1. The most rigid adherence to the principles of moral integrity. Truth. Honesty.
2. The exercise of love and kindness.
3. That a man should preserve his soul in peace and patience.
4. That commerce be consecrated and elevated by the spirit of holiness.
II. Having described what a Christian should be in commerce briefly show why he should be it. All considerations by which religion and morality are commended and enforced are applicable here. The course pointed out is right in itself, what we owe to God and connected with eternal destiny. It is necessary to inherit the kingdom of heaven. It is presented to us in the example of Christ, whom all disciples should imitate. In one word, Christianity requires it; all its precepts, principles, blessings, and prospects require it. (A. J. Morris.)
Fluctuation of trade
Trade is a fluctuating thing; it passed from Tyre to Alexandria, from Alexandria to Venice, from Venice to Antwerp, from Antwerp to Amsterdam and London--the English rivalling the Dutch; the French are now rivalling both. All nations, almost, are wisely applying themselves to trade, and it behoves those who are in possession of it to take the greatest care that they do not lose it. It is a plant of tender growth; it requires sun and soil and fine seasons to make it thrive and flourish. It will not grow like the palm tree, which, with the more weight and pressure, rises the more. Liberty is a friend to that, as that is a friend to liberty. But the greatest enemy to both in licentiousness, which tramples upon all law and lawful authority, encourages riots and tumults, sticks at nothing to support its extravagance, practises every art of illicit gain, ruins credit and trade, and will ruin liberty itself. Neither kingdoms, commonwealths, public companies, nor private persons, can long carry on a beneficial and flourishing trade without virtue and what virtue teaches--sobriety, industry, frugality, modesty, honesty, punctuality, humanity, charity, the love of our country, and the fear of our God. (Bp. Newton.)
Justice
From these specific instances of justice let us extend our views to justice in general; let us consider its true nature and importance to human society; the obligations we are under to adhere to it inviolably; and the fatal consequences of every deviation. Justice is that virtue which teaches us to respect the rights of others, and to refrain from all injurious acts or purposes.
1. Some rights men are born to--such as the use of their own limbs, the free and uncontrolled exercise of their faculties of body and mind--these faculties, derived from the Author of life, sufficiently speak the intention of the Giver--that they should be freely, but at the same time innocently used--this is the equal birthright of every man.
2. Again, if every human being that God has made has a right to live, to breathe, to move, to think--he must also have a just claim to the product of his labour and his thought.
3. Another source of right springs from mutual, voluntary engagements--expressed, or implied--which ought all to be candidly interpreted, and conscientiously fulfilled.
4. Of all obligations the most binding and indispensable is to do no wrong to any; to hold the rightful claims of our fellow creatures sacred. First, all restraint upon personal liberty exercised by one man upon another--uncompelled by previous aggression--tends wantonly to defeat mans whole destination; and is therefore a daring outrage against the Author of his being. Equally, or rather more unjust and more criminal is it, to forge chains for the mind--to prohibit the use of reason--to compel men to violate their conscience. Next to the undisturbed use of our bodily and mental faculties, the fruits of their exertion, justice maintains inviolable--and consequently enjoins--the exact observance of those civil laws by which the disposal of property is regulated, not merely for wrath, but for conscience sake. Moreover, independently of government and laws, that those contracts which are entered into for mutual aid and benefit, and without which mankind could not act collectively and in concert, are to be formed on fair and upright principles, and fulfilled with punctuality--is as evident as that man was created to be a social being, and that no one should undermine that mutual confidence and that willingness to combine and to cooperate together, on which the common good so manifestly depends. Nor do commercial or pecuniary concerns form the only province of justice. She is equally solicitous to render unto all their dues of every kind. She abstains as carefully from violating anothers reputation as his property; of which, indeed, it often constitutes the most valuable part; and as scrupulously shuns taking any unfair advantage in the most secret transaction, as in the sight of all the world. Who is not sensible of the discordant and tumultuous state into which mankind would fall were justice to take her flight? Selfishness and rapine on all sides prevailing in a short time little would remain for the one to covet or the other to prey upon and monopolise. Justice is essential not only to the comfort, but to the subsistence of the species. But where neither the eye of man can penetrate, nor the hand of man can reach--there the claims of justice are felt by the truly upright; the reasonable expectations of their fellow creatures weighed in an impartial scale, and answered with the same conscientious care and unswerving rectitude, as if they were defined by the strictest statutes, and enforced by the severest penalties. Far beyond all formal compacts, all legal obligations, is the demand of reason and conscience on the just man. In comparing his own rights with those of others, his justice stretches into the domain of generosity; in comparing the claims of others between themselves his generosity never deviates from impartial justice. So imperceptible are the shades of difference that separate justice from generosity--whether we consider their motives, obligations, or effects--that, amongst the ancient philosophers justice was the common name assigned to both; and denoted the general principle of all the social virtues--and our Saviour comprehends all that is equitable and all that is kind and disinterested in one and the same precept--Do unto others, as ye would that they should do unto you. I shall only add, that as justice is that virtue which is most essential to every social state, and that state which is reserved for the spirits of the just will be preeminently social; so the habits of justice, which have in this world been interwoven with all their sentiments and actions, must there attain their highest perfection and produce the happiest issue. (P. Houghton.)
.
The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On v12 General Information:
General Information:
Moses speaks to the Israelites as if they were one man, so the words "you" and "your" here are singular. (See: Forms of You)
Read full note →
you must not sleep with his pledge in your possession
"you must not keep his coat overnight"
his pledge
This refers to what he has promised that he would give you if he did not pay back the loan. See how you translated this in Deuteronomy 24:10.
restore to him the pledge
"give him back what he has given you to show that he will pay back the loan"
so that he may sleep in his cloak and bless you
The full meaning of this statement can be made explicit. AT: "so that he will have his coat to keep himself warm when he sleeps, and he will be grateful to you" (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)
cloak
a coat or other clothing that keeps a person warm at night. This was probably the "pledge" Moses was speaking of in Deuteronomy 24:10-12
it will be righteousness for you before Yahweh your God
"Yahweh your God will approve of the way you handled this matter"
translationWords
pledge
possess
bless
righteous
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On v13 24:13 Return the cloak . . . by sunset:…
24:13 Return the cloak . . . by sunset: The law was merciful.
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.