Deuteronomy 24:13

13 you shall surely restore to him the pledge when the sun goes down, that he may sleep in his garment, and bless you: and it shall be righteousness to you before Yahweh 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.


FOOTNOTES:

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

Deuteronomy 24:13 In-Context

11 You shall stand outside, and the man to whom you do lend shall bring forth the pledge outside to you.
12 If he be a poor man, you shall not sleep with his pledge;
13 you shall surely restore to him the pledge when the sun goes down, that he may sleep in his garment, and bless you: and it shall be righteousness to you before Yahweh your God.
14 You shall not oppress a hired servant who is poor and needy, whether he be of your brothers, or of your sojourners who are in your land within your gates:
15 in his day you shall give him his hire, neither shall the sun go down on it; for he is poor, and sets his heart on it: lest he cry against you to Yahweh, and it be sin to you.
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