Deuteronomy 24:10

10 When you make a loan to your neighbor, don't go into his house to take a security deposit.

Deuteronomy 24:10 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 24:10

When thou dost lend thy brother anything
Any sum of money he stands in need of, or demanded a debt of him, as Jarchi; money he is indebted to thee, which is the sense of the Septuagint version; and he is not able to pay it, but offers something: in pawn till he can pay it:

thou shall not go into his house to fetch his pledge;
which would be an exercise of too much power and authority, to go into a neighbour's house, and take what was liked; and besides, as no doubt he would take the best, so he might take that which the poor man could not spare: and indeed, according to the Jewish canons F11, he could not take any pledge at all, but with the knowledge, and by the leave, of the sanhedrim, or court of judicature.


FOOTNOTES:

F11 Misn. Bava Metzia, c. 9. sect. 13.

Deuteronomy 24:10 In-Context

8 Guard against outbreaks of serious skin diseases. Be very careful to do exactly as the Levitical priests instruct you. Make sure you do what I commanded them.
9 Remember what the LORD your God did to Miriam on your trip from Egypt.
10 When you make a loan to your neighbor, don't go into his house to take a security deposit.
11 Wait outside, and the person to whom you're making the loan will bring the deposit out to you.
12 If the person is poor, don't keep the coat you took as a deposit overnight.
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