Lexical Summary abot: Fathers, ancestors Original Word: עֲבוֹט Strong's Exhaustive Concordance pledge Or rabot {ab-ote'}; from abat; a pawn -- pledge. see HEBREW abat NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom an unused word Definition a pledge, article pledged NASB Translation pledge (4). Brown-Driver-Briggs עֲבוֺט noun [masculine] pledge, article pledged as security for debt; — absolute ׳ע Deuteronomy 24:11,13; suffix עֲבֹטוֺ Deuteronomy 24:10 (as accusative of congnate meaning with verb), Deuteronomy 24:12. Topical Lexicon Definition and Semantic Field עֲבוֹט denotes a tangible article taken as security for a loan—a pledge, pawn, or collateral. In the Torah it functions not merely as a financial instrument but as a moral test of covenant faithfulness toward one’s neighbor, especially the economically vulnerable. Occurrences and Context in Deuteronomy All four appearances lie within one legislative paragraph (Deuteronomy 24:10-13). The statutes form a tightly constructed unit that safeguards the dignity of the borrower: • “When you lend anything to your neighbor, do not enter his house to collect security from him.” (Deuteronomy 24:10) The legislation intertwines compassion and justice. The lender’s right to protection is upheld, yet limited by the borrower’s right to life and dignity. The text culminates in a declaration of divine approval: returning the pledge “will be counted to you as righteousness before the LORD your God” (Deuteronomy 24:13). Historical and Cultural Background Comparable Near-Eastern law codes (e.g., the Code of Hammurabi) also regulated pledges, but Israel’s law uniquely grounds the practice in the character of God who rescued His people from Egypt (Deuteronomy 24:18). Unlike purely economic regulations, the Mosaic instructions place the poor person’s well-being ahead of the creditor’s convenience. The requirement that the creditor wait outside the borrower’s home prevents public shame, while the sunset deadline for return of a garment sets a daily rhythm of mercy. Theological Themes 1. Divine righteousness—Right treatment of the poor reflects God’s own justice (Psalm 68:5). New Testament Echoes and Fulfillment While עֲבוֹט itself does not reappear in the New Testament, its ethic reverberates: Practical Ministry Applications • Lending ministries and benevolence funds should protect the dignity of recipients, avoiding practices that shame or exploit. Summary עֲבוֹט serves as more than economic collateral; it is a litmus test of covenant faithfulness, integrating compassion, justice, and reverence for God. In mandating the return of a poor man’s pledge, Scripture upholds the sanctity of the individual and prefigures the Gospel, where God Himself becomes the surety for His people. Forms and Transliterations בַּעֲבֹטֽוֹ׃ בעבטו׃ הַעֲב֖וֹט הַעֲבוֹט֙ העבוט עֲבֹטֽוֹ׃ עבטו׃ ‘ă·ḇō·ṭōw ‘ăḇōṭōw avoTo ba‘ăḇōṭōw ba·‘ă·ḇō·ṭōw baavoTo ha‘ăḇōwṭ ha·‘ă·ḇō·wṭ haaVotLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Deuteronomy 24:10 HEB: בֵּית֖וֹ לַעֲבֹ֥ט עֲבֹטֽוֹ׃ NAS: his house to take his pledge. KJV: into his house to fetch his pledge. INT: his house to take his pledge Deuteronomy 24:11 Deuteronomy 24:12 Deuteronomy 24:13 4 Occurrences |
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