In biblical terms, the concept of being "pledged" often refers to a promise or commitment that is binding and solemn. This can encompass a variety of contexts, including personal vows, financial agreements, and relational commitments. The idea of a pledge is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative, reflecting the seriousness with which God and His people view promises and covenants.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, pledges are often associated with financial transactions and personal vows. The Law of Moses provides specific instructions regarding pledges, particularly in the context of loans and debts. For example, in Exodus 22:26-27 , it is written: "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 underscores the importance of compassion and fairness in financial dealings, emphasizing that a pledge should not cause undue hardship to the borrower.

Deuteronomy 24:10-13 further elaborates on the ethical treatment of pledges: "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. Then he will bless you, and it will be credited to you as righteousness before the LORD your God." This passage highlights the principle of respecting the dignity and rights of others, even in financial matters.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of being pledged takes on a more relational and spiritual dimension. The Apostle Paul, in his letters, often speaks of believers being pledged to Christ. In 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 , Paul writes: "Now it is God who establishes both us and you in Christ. He anointed us, placed His seal on us, and put His Spirit in our hearts as a pledge of what is to come." Here, the Holy Spirit is described as a pledge, or guarantee, of the believer's future inheritance and relationship with God.

The idea of a pledge is also evident in the context of marriage. In Matthew 1:18-19 , the relationship between Mary and Joseph is described: "This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged in marriage to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and was unwilling to disgrace her publicly, he resolved to divorce her quietly." The term "pledged" here indicates a binding commitment, akin to an engagement, that was taken very seriously in Jewish culture.

Theological Implications

Theologically, the concept of a pledge in the Bible underscores the faithfulness and integrity expected of God's people. It reflects the character of God Himself, who is always faithful to His promises. In Hebrews 6:17-18 , it is stated: "So when God wanted to make the unchanging nature of His purpose very clear to the heirs of the promise, He guaranteed it with an oath. Thus by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be strongly encouraged." This passage highlights the reliability of God's promises, serving as a model for human faithfulness in pledges and commitments.

In summary, the biblical concept of being pledged encompasses a range of commitments, from financial agreements to spiritual assurances. It calls for integrity, compassion, and faithfulness, reflecting the character of God and His expectations for His people.(imp. & p. p.) of Pledge.1450. egguos -- under good security (adjective), guarantee (noun)
... surety. From en and guion (a limb); pledged (as if articulated by a member), ie
A bondsman -- surety. see GREEK en. (enguos) -- 1 Occurrence. 1449, 1450. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1450.htm - 6k5667. abot -- a pledge, article pledged
abot or abot. 5666, 5667. abot or abot. 5668 . a pledge, article pledged.
Transliteration: abot or abot Phonetic Spelling: (ab-ote') Short Definition: pledge ...
/hebrew/5667.htm - 6k

5414. nathan -- to give, put, set
... Oh* (13), open* (1), over (1), paid (7), pay (6), performed (1), permit (2), pierce
(1), pitch (1), place (13), placed (19), planted (1), pledged (2), pledged ...
/hebrew/5414.htm - 9k

3027. yad -- hand
... 1), next (2), next* (13), occasion (1), ordain* (4), ordained* (4), order (1),
ordination* (1), part (1), parts (2), paw (2), place (4), pledged* (1), possess ...
/hebrew/3027.htm - 8k

5671. abtit -- weight of pledges, heavy debts
... thick clay by a false etym. From abat; something pledged, ie (collectively) pawned
goods -- thick clay (by a false etym.). see HEBREW abat. 5670, 5671. ...
/hebrew/5671.htm - 6k

Muhlenberg's Confessionalism.
... endorsed by Muhlenberg without reservation, and in his whole ministerial work he
endeavored to come up to this standard, as he had solemnly pledged himself in ...
/.../bente/american lutheranism/muhlenbergs confessionalism.htm

The Blood of the Testament
... It was agreed and solemnly pledged by the oath of the eternal Father that he would
give unto the Son a multitude whom no man could number who should be his ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 58 1912/the blood of the testament.htm

Tennessee Justifying Her Procedure.
... her actions appears from the following quotations culled from this treatise: "The
members of the Lutheran Church," says David Henkel, "are pledged by their ...
/.../bente/american lutheranism/tennessee justifying her procedure.htm

'This Cup'
... half upon the altar, and the other half, after their acceptance of the conditions
and obligations of the covenant, on the people, who had pledged themselves to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/this cup.htm

Our Guarantee of his Promises.
... His pledged word never fails. ... The power that raised Jesus up from out the dead is
pledged to us for every promise of this Book for to-day's life. ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on johns gospel/our guarantee of his promises.htm

Attitude as to Church-Fellowship.
... the General Synod as a useful institution; that we disapprove the turbulent conduct
of a certain member of this body; that we (some of us) pledged ourselves to ...
/.../bente/american lutheranism/attitude as to church-fellowship.htm

The Best of All, God is with Us
... Do you ask how I know that? Well, I know it, first, because he has pledged himself
to be with his people. ... He has pledged himself to be with us. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 42 1896/the best of all god.htm

Chapter fifteen
... discipleship. Mr. Maxwell did not ask, this morning, for volunteers to join
those who had already pledged to do as Jesus would. But ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sheldon/in his steps/chapter fifteen.htm

The Evidence of Scripture on Changes of Determination.
... for him, he gave up his threats, lightened the sentence, and preferred to be regarded
as a breaker of his word rather than to keep his pledged oath by cruelly ...
/.../cassian/the conferences of john cassian/chapter xxv the evidence of.htm

Instructed in the Law of God
... They had suffered punishment for their sins; now they acknowledged the justice of
God's dealings with them and pledged themselves to obey His law. ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 56 instructed in the.htm

Pledged (19 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Pledged (19 Occurrences). ... (See NIV). Luke 1:27 to a virgin
pledged to be married to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. ...
/p/pledged.htm - 12k

Engaged (31 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.) Occupied; employed; busy. 3. (a.) Pledged; promised; especially, having
the affections pledged; promised in marriage; affianced; betrothed. ...
/e/engaged.htm - 15k

Sleeps (20 Occurrences)
... Exodus 22:16 "If a man entices a virgin who isn't pledged to be married, and lies
with her, he shall surely pay a dowry for her to be his wife. (See NIV). ...
/s/sleeps.htm - 11k

Happens (32 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 22:23 If there is a young lady who is a virgin pledged to be married
to a husband, and a man find her in the city, and lie with her; (See NIV). ...
/h/happens.htm - 15k

Girl (71 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 19:20 "'If a man lies carnally with a woman who is a slave girl, pledged
to be married to another man, and not ransomed, or given her freedom; they ...
/g/girl.htm - 28k

Pledges (15 Occurrences)
... (KJV ASV WBS). Amos 2:8 And on pledged garments they stretch themselves near every
altar, And the wine of fined ones they drink 'in' the house of their gods. ...
/p/pledges.htm - 10k

Lady (37 Occurrences)
... (WEB). Deuteronomy 22:23 If there is a young lady who is a virgin pledged to be
married to a husband, and a man find her in the city, and lie with her; (WEB). ...
/l/lady.htm - 22k

Rapes (2 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 22:25 But if the man find the lady who is pledged to be married in the
field, and the man force her, and lie with her; then the man only who lay ...
/r/rapes.htm - 6k

Seizes (16 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 22:25 But if the man find the lady who is pledged to be married in the
field, and the man force her, and lie with her; then the man only who lay ...
/s/seizes.htm - 10k

Married (152 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Luke 1:27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man whose name was Joseph,
of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary. (WEB BBE NIV). ...
/m/married.htm - 35k

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