Exodus 22:26

26 If you take your neighbor’s cloak as a pledge, return it by sunset,

Exodus 22:26 in Other Translations

KJV
26 If thou at all take thy neighbour's raiment to pledge, thou shalt deliver it unto him by that the sun goeth down:
ESV
26 If ever you take your neighbor's cloak in pledge, you shall return it to him before the sun goes down,
NLT
26 If you take your neighbor’s cloak as security for a loan, you must return it before sunset.
MSG
26 "If you take your neighbor's coat as security, give it back before nightfall;
CSB
26 "If you ever take your neighbor's cloak as collateral, return it to him before sunset.

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 My anger will be aroused, and I will kill you with the sword; your wives will become widows and your children fatherless.
25 “If you lend money to one of my people among you who is needy, do not treat it like a business deal; charge no interest.
26 If you take your neighbor’s cloak as a pledge, return it by sunset,
27 because that cloak is the only covering your neighbor has. What else can they sleep in? When they cry out to me, I will hear, for I am compassionate.
28 “Do not blaspheme God or curse the ruler of your people.

Cross References 1

  • 1. S ver 22; Proverbs 20:16; Ezekiel 33:15; Amos 2:8; Deuteronomy 24:6
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