Deuteronomy 24:10

10 Suppose your neighbor borrows something from you. And he offers you something to keep until you get paid back. Then don't go into his house to get it.

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.

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FOOTNOTES:

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

Deuteronomy 24:10 In-Context

8 What about skin diseases? Be very careful to do exactly what the priests, who are Levites, tell you to do. You must be careful to follow the commands I've given them.

9 Remember what the LORD your God did to Miriam on your way out of Egypt.

10 Suppose your neighbor borrows something from you. And he offers you something to keep until you get paid back. Then don't go into his house to get it.

11 Stay outside. Let the man bring it out to you.

12 He might be poor. You might be given his coat to keep until you get paid back. Don't go to sleep while you still have it.