Exodus 22:26

26 If you take someone's cloak as a pledge that he will pay you, you must give it back to him before the sun sets, 1

Exodus 22:26 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 22:26

If thou at all take thy neighbour's raiment to pledge
So that it seems that the lender, though he might not impose usury on the borrower, or oblige him to pay interest for what he lent him, yet for the security of his money he might take his clothes, either his bed clothes or wearing apparel, or any instruments or goods of his; but when he did, he was bound to what follows:

thou shalt deliver it to him by that the sun goeth down;
the reason of which appears in the next verse, with respect to his bed clothes, should that be the pledge: but Jarchi interprets it, not of his nocturnal clothes, but of his apparel in the daytime, and paraphrases it thus,

``all the day thou shalt restore it to him until the setting of the sun; and when the sun is set, thou shalt return and take it until the morning of the morrow comes; the Scripture speaks of the covering of the day, of which there is no need at night;''

but rather night clothes are meant by what follows.

Exodus 22:26 In-Context

24 and I will become angry and kill you in war. Your wives will become widows, and your children will be fatherless.
25 "If you lend money to any of my people who are poor, do not act like a moneylender and require him to pay interest.
26 If you take someone's cloak as a pledge that he will pay you, you must give it back to him before the sun sets,
27 because it is the only covering he has to keep him warm. What else can he sleep in? When he cries out to me for help, I will answer him because I am merciful.
28 "Do not speak evil of God, and do not curse a leader of your people.

Cross References 1

  • 1. 22.26, 27Deuteronomy 24.10-13.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.