Deuteronomy 24:12

12 But if he be poor, the pledge shall not lodge with thee that night,

Deuteronomy 24:12 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 24:12

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.

Deuteronomy 24:12 In-Context

10 When thou shalt demand of thy neighbour any thing that he oweth thee, thou shalt not go into his house to take away a pledge:

11 But thou shalt stand without, and he shall bring out to thee what he hath.

12 But if he be poor, the pledge shall not lodge with thee that night,

13 But thou shalt restore it to him presently before the going down of the sun: that he may sleep in his own raiment and bless thee, and thou mayst have justice before the Lord thy God.

14 Thou shalt not refuse the hire of the needy, and the poor, whether he be thy brother, or a stranger that dwelleth with thee in the land, and is within thy gates: