Deuteronomy 24:13

13 rather, you must restore the pledged item at sunset; then he will go to sleep wearing his garment and bless you. This will be an upright deed of yours before ADONAI your God.

Deuteronomy 24:13 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 24:13

In any case thou shalt deliver him the pledge again, when the
sun goeth down
If it was a night covering, as Jarchi remarks; but if it was his day clothes, he was to return it in the morning, when the sun arose; and this was to be done every day, which resist occasion a great deal of trouble, and the pledge of little use; so that it seems as though they might as well be without it as have it, and lend freely; but the Jews say, that there was an advantage by it; for it is said in answer to such a question,

``of what profit is the pledge? by this means the debt is not released on the seventh year, (when all other debts were released, ( Deuteronomy 15:1 Deuteronomy 15:2 ) ) nor could the borrower dispose of his goods to his children, but payment was made from the pledge after his death ^F13:''

now this delivery of the pledge at sun setting was ordered,

that he may sleep in his own raiment;
have his night covering to sleep in, his pillow, and bolster, and bedding to lie on, and bed clothes to cover him; and indeed the clothes they wore were made in such form, as would serve for covering to sleep in at night, as well as to wear in the day; and such is the clothing of the Arabs now, which they call "hykes".

``The usual size of them (Dr. Shaw says ^F14), is six yards long, and five or six feet broad, serving the Arab for a complete dress in the day; and as they "sleep in their raiment", it serves likewise for his bed and covering by night:''

and bless thee:
for using him so mercifully and kindly, as to return him his pledge, which is so necessary to his comfortable repose in the night; and not only will he praise him, and speak well of him for it, and give him thanks; but will pray to God to bless him in soul, body, and estate, for such kindness shown him:

and it shall be righteousness unto thee before the Lord thy God;
not his justifying righteousness before God, for by the deeds of the law shall no flesh living be justified in his sight; but it shall be owned and approved of as a good and righteous action, and answerable to the intention of this law, which is, that mercy should be shown to persons in distress; in which sense the word "righteousness" is sometimes used, even for a merciful action, ( Psalms 112:9 ) ( Daniel 4:27 ) ; so alms is called (dikaiosunh) , "righteousness", ( Matthew 6:1 ) , in some copies.

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FOOTNOTES:

F13 Maimon Hilchot Milvah Velovah, c. 3. sect. 5.
F14 Travels, p. 224. Ed. 2.

Deuteronomy 24:13 In-Context

11 You must stand outside, and the borrower will bring the collateral outside to you.

12 If he is poor, you are not to go to bed with what he gave as collateral in your possession;

13 rather, you must restore the pledged item at sunset; then he will go to sleep wearing his garment and bless you. This will be an upright deed of yours before ADONAI your God.

14 "You are not to exploit a hired worker who is poor and needy, whether one of your brothers or a foreigner living in your land in your town.

15 You are to pay him his wages the day he earns them, before sunset; for he is poor and looks forward to being paid. Otherwise he will cry out against you to ADONAI, and it will be your sin.