Deuteronomy 24:17

17 Thou shalt not twist the rights of the stranger nor of the fatherless nor take a widow’s clothing for a pledge,

Deuteronomy 24:17 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 24:17

Thou shalt not pervert the judgment of the stranger, [nor] of
the fatherless
Who are unable to defend themselves, and have but few, if any, to take their part; and therefore particular care should be taken by judges and civil magistrates to do them justice, or God will require it of them:

nor take a widow's raiment to pledge;
nor anything else, as her ox or cow, ( Job 24:3 ) ; according to the Jewish canons ^F18, of a widow, whether she is poor or rich, a pledge is not taken; the reason given for which is, that it would raise an ill suspicion, and cause an evil report of her among her neighbours ^F19; and which is suggested by the Targum of Jonathan

``neither shall any of you take for a pledge the raiment of a widow, lest wicked neighbours should arise, and bring an evil report upon her, when ye return the pledge unto her.''

But no doubt a poor widow is meant, and the design of the law is mercy to her, and that she might not be distressed by taking that from her she needed.

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FOOTNOTES:

F18 Misn. Bava Metzia, c. 9. sect. 13.
F19 Maimon. & Bartenora in Misn. Bava Metzia, c. 9. sect. 13.

Deuteronomy 24:17 In-Context

15 In his day thou shalt give him his hire, neither shall the sun go down upon it; for he is poor and with it sustains his life, lest he cry against thee unto the LORD, and it be sin unto thee.

16 The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, neither shall the children be put to death for the fathers; each one shall be put to death for his own sin.

17 Thou shalt not twist the rights of the stranger nor of the fatherless nor take a widow’s clothing for a pledge,

18 but thou shalt remember that thou wast a slave in Egypt, and the LORD thy God ransomed thee from there; therefore, I command thee to do this thing.

19 When thou doest reap thy harvest in thy field and hast forgot a sheaf in the field, thou shalt not go again to bring it; it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, or for the widow, that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hands.