Pledge(pawn)
Summary
A pledge was security given by a debtor to a creditor, subject to Mosaic regulations designed to protect the poor from exploitation.
☩Mosaic Protections
The Law provided merciful protections for debtors. Creditors could not enter a debtor's house to take a pledge but must receive it at the door. Certain items were forbidden as pledges: the outer garment (which served as bedding for the poor) had to be returned before sunset; the hand-mill for grinding grain could not be taken, as this would deprive a family of their daily bread. A widow's garment was entirely exempt.
☩Abuses Condemned
Despite these protections, hard-hearted creditors oppressed debtors by taking pledges unlawfully. The prophets condemned those who kept garments taken in pledge overnight, lying on them beside altars. Habakkuk pronounces woe on those who heap up pledges. Ezekiel includes not restoring a pledge among the sins of the wicked.
Related Verses24 mentions
See Also
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Pledge," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. VIII (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Pledge," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. IV (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).