In biblical times, the concept of pawning, or pledging an item as security for a loan, is addressed within the broader context of lending and borrowing. The Scriptures provide guidance on the ethical treatment of those who are in financial distress and the responsibilities of lenders.

Exodus 22:25-27 :
"If you lend money to one of My people among you who is poor, you must not be like a moneylender to him; you must not charge him interest. If you take your neighbor’s cloak as collateral, return it to him by sunset, because his cloak is the only covering he has for his body. What else will he sleep in? And if he cries out to Me, I will hear, for I am compassionate."

This passage highlights the importance of compassion and fairness in financial dealings. The cloak, often used as a pledge, was a vital possession for warmth and protection, and its return by sunset underscores the need for humane treatment of the poor.

Deuteronomy 24:10-13 :
"When you lend anything to your neighbor, do not enter his house to collect security. You are to stand outside while the man to whom you are lending brings the security out to you. If he is a poor man, you must not go to sleep with the security in your possession; be sure to return it to him by sunset so that he may sleep in his own cloak and bless you. And it will be credited to you as righteousness before the LORD your God."

This directive emphasizes respect for personal dignity and privacy, instructing lenders to wait outside rather than intruding into the borrower's home. The return of the pledge by sunset is again mandated, reinforcing the principle of mercy and righteousness.

Job 24:3 :
"They drive away the donkey of the fatherless and take the widow’s ox in pledge."

Job laments the injustices faced by the vulnerable, including the wrongful taking of essential property as collateral. This verse serves as a critique of those who exploit the needy, highlighting the moral obligation to protect the defenseless.

Proverbs 20:16 :
"Take the garment of one who posts security for a stranger; get collateral if it is for a wayward woman."

This proverb advises caution in financial dealings, particularly when acting as a guarantor for someone unreliable. It suggests securing a pledge to mitigate potential losses, reflecting a practical approach to risk management.

Amos 2:8 :
"They lie down beside every altar on garments taken in pledge. And in the house of their God, they drink wine obtained through fines."

The prophet Amos condemns the misuse of pledged garments, which were meant to be returned to the poor. This behavior is portrayed as a violation of justice and an affront to divine law, illustrating the broader theme of social injustice.

The biblical perspective on pawning underscores a balance between justice and mercy, advocating for the protection of the poor and vulnerable while recognizing the practicalities of financial transactions. The Scriptures call for ethical conduct, respect for human dignity, and a compassionate approach to lending and borrowing.Exodus 22:26
If you at all take your neighbor's raiment to pledge, you shall deliver it to him by that the sun goes down:
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Deuteronomy 24:10-13,17
When you do lend your brother any thing, you shall not go into his house to fetch his pledge.
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Job 24:3
They drive away the ass of the fatherless, they take the widow's ox for a pledge.
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Proverbs 22:27
If you have nothing to pay, why should he take away your bed from under you?
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Ezekiel 18:5,7,12
But if a man be just, and do that which is lawful and right,
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Ezekiel 33:15
If the wicked restore the pledge, give again that he had robbed, walk in the statutes of life, without committing iniquity; he shall surely live, he shall not die.
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Amos 2:8
And they lay themselves down on clothes laid to pledge by every altar, and they drink the wine of the condemned in the house of their god.
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Is it possible to sell your soul to the devil? | GotQuestions.org

Should a Christian work where alcohol and tobacco are sold? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Ananias in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Sell: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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