Bible Dictionaries
Pledge

Holman Bible Dictionary

Something given as downpayment on a debt. The Old Testament regulated this practice. An outer garment given in pledge was to be returned before night since it was the only protection the poor had from the cold (Exodus 22:26; Deuteronomy 24:12-13 ). One was not permitted to take as a pledge what was required for someone to earn a living (Deuteronomy 24:6 ). Creditors were prohibited from entering a house to seize a pledge (Deuteronomy 24:10 ). Job denounced abuses in the taking of pledges from family (Deuteronomy 22:6 ), from orphans and widows (Deuteronomy 24:3 ), as well as the practice of taking children as pledges (Deuteronomy 24:9 ). Ezekial warned repeatedly against failing to restore pledges. Amos rebuked those who coupled idolatry with holding garments in pledge (Deuteronomy 2:8 ).