In biblical terms, a pledge refers to a security or guarantee given to ensure the fulfillment of a promise or obligation, often in the context of a loan or debt. The concept of pledges is addressed in various passages throughout the Bible, highlighting both legal and moral considerations.

Old Testament Context

The Old Testament law provides specific instructions regarding pledges, particularly in the context of loans and debts. In Exodus 22:26-27, the law stipulates: "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, ensuring that the basic needs of the debtor are not compromised.

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 emphasizes respect for personal dignity and the righteousness associated with just actions.

Prophetic Warnings

The prophets also address the misuse of pledges, often as part of broader critiques of social injustice. In Amos 2:6-8, the prophet condemns Israel for their exploitation of the poor, including the improper handling of pledges: "They sell the righteous for silver and the needy for a pair of sandals. They trample the heads of the poor on the dust of the earth and deny justice to the oppressed. Father and son use the same girl and so profane My holy name. They lie down beside every altar on garments taken in pledge, and in the house of their god, they drink wine obtained through fines."

Ezekiel 18:7, 12, and 16 also highlight the righteous behavior of those who do not oppress others or retain pledges unjustly, contrasting them with those who commit such acts and face divine judgment.

New Testament Insights

While the New Testament does not address pledges as explicitly as the Old Testament, the principles of justice, mercy, and love for one's neighbor continue to underpin Christian ethics. Jesus' teachings on lending and generosity, such as in Luke 6:34-35, encourage believers to lend without expecting anything in return, reflecting a spirit of grace and selflessness: "And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them, expecting nothing in return. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked."

Moral and Ethical Considerations

The biblical treatment of pledges serves as a reminder of the broader moral and ethical framework within which financial transactions should occur. The principles of justice, compassion, and respect for human dignity are paramount. Believers are called to act righteously, ensuring that their dealings reflect the character of God, who is compassionate and just. The handling of pledges, therefore, becomes a reflection of one's faith and commitment to living according to God's commandments.James 5:12
But above all things, my brothers, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yes be yes; and your no, no; lest you fall into condemnation.
Topicalbible.org

1861. epaggellomai -- to proclaim, to promise
... promise that is (), ie legitimately applies. God pledges () His Word, and
does so in situations. Word Origin from epi and aggello ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1861.htm - 7k5671. abtit -- weight of pledges, heavy debts
... 5670, 5671. abtit. 5672 . weight of pledges, heavy debts. Transliteration:
abtit Phonetic Spelling: (ab-teet') Short Definition: loans. ...
/hebrew/5671.htm - 6k

2254a. chabal -- to bind, pledge
... NASB Word Usage debt (1), ever take (1), hold him in pledge (2), labor (2), pledge
(4), retain (1), take (3), take a pledge (1), taken as pledges (1), taken ...
/hebrew/2254a.htm - 5k

6148. arab -- to take on pledge, give in pledge, exchange
... engage, intermeddle with, mingle self, mortgage, occupy, give pledges,.
A primitive root; to braid, ie Intermix; technically, to ...
/hebrew/6148.htm - 6k

8628. taqa -- to thrust, clap, give a blow, blast
... 19), blow (20), blowing (1), blown (7), blows (1), camped (1), clap (2), drive
(1), driven (1), drove (2), fasten (1), fastened (3), give pledges* (1), given ( ...
/hebrew/8628.htm - 6k

3709. kaph -- hollow or flat of the hand, palm, sole (of the foot) ...
... Definition hollow or flat of the hand, palm, sole (of the foot), a pan NASB Word
Usage branches (1), earnings* (1), footstep* (1), give pledges* (1), grasp (2 ...
/hebrew/3709.htm - 6k

Whether a Betrothal is a Promise of Future Marriage?
... promise. Objection 3: Further, sometimes a betrothal does not consist of a
mere promise, but an oath is added, as also certain pledges. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether a betrothal is a.htm

The National Preacher, Vol. 2 No. 7 Dec. 1827
... The undersigned proposes to commence another Periodical, of original plan and character,
provided that adequate pledges of supplies shall be furnished. ...
/.../leland/the national preacher vol 2 no 7 dec 1827/title page.htm

A Sedition of the Philadelphians against the Jews; and Also
... So they replied, that they would give them leave to send their ambassadors, provided
they would give them their sons as pledges [for their peaceable behavior]. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 1 a sedition of.htm

Of Our Saviour it is Said
... As praises, because they are the pledges of our mutual affection, so groans, because
they are pledges of a due contrition, are the greatest sacrifices. ...
/.../traherne/centuries of meditations/83 of our saviour it.htm

A Strain of Sodom.
... The sacred pledges [1221] on his board, [1222] and quits [1223]. ... [1222] "Mensa;"
but perhaps "mens??" may be suggested--"the sacred pledges of the board.". ...
/.../fathers of the third century tertullian appendix/2 a strain of sodom.htm

Now Herod and Philip Built Several Cities in Honor of Caesar. ...
... succeed, unless she could contrive how to remove Phraates's legitimate sons [out
of the kingdom;] so she persuaded him to send those his sons as pledges of his ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 2 now herod and.htm

The Exordium or Introduction
... introduce persons speaking, and make the dead to come forth, as it were, out of
their graves, and recommend to the judges the care of their dearest pledges. ...
/.../kleiser/the training of a public speaker/the exordium or introduction.htm

The Graces She Received in Prayer. What we Can do Ourselves. The ...
... world, that he can hardly have any real abhorrence of, with great detachment from,
all earthly things who does not see that he holds some pledges for those ...
/.../teresa/the life of st teresa of jesus/chapter x the graces she.htm

Perpetual Covenants
... And then on each side there were pledges and responsibilities and commitments; finally,
the contract was 'signed, sealed, and delivered' by the two contracting ...
/.../howard/standards of life and service/xii perpetual covenants.htm

The Blood of the Testament
... jewels! Now, beloved, in a covenant there are pledges given, and on those
pledges we delight to meditate. You know what they were. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 58 1912/the blood of the testament.htm

Pledges (15 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Pledges (15 Occurrences). Numbers 30:5 But if
her father disallow her in the day that he hears, none of ...
/p/pledges.htm - 10k

Pledge (55 Occurrences)
... something; especially, a solemn promise in writing to refrain from using intoxicating
liquors or the like; as, to sign the pledge; the mayor had made no pledges...
/p/pledge.htm - 28k

Wager (2 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 18:23 Now therefore, I pray thee, give pledges to my master the king of
Assyria, and I will give thee two thousand horses, if thou be able on thy part ...
/w/wager.htm - 7k

Clay (50 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Thick clay. (Habakkuk 2:6) is correctly rendered in the
Revised Version "pledges." The Chaldean power is here represented as a ...
/c/clay.htm - 25k

Pledged (19 Occurrences)

/p/pledged.htm - 12k

Baptismal (1 Occurrence)
... his child for baptism, lays hold on God's promise to be a God to him and to his
children; and he is entitled to hope for that which baptism pledges to him. ...
/b/baptismal.htm - 24k

Regeneration (2 Occurrences)
... his child for baptism, lays hold on God's promise to be a God to him and to his
children; and he is entitled to hope for that which baptism pledges to him. ...
/r/regeneration.htm - 60k

Truth (380 Occurrences)
... a ground of confidence in His promises (Exodus 34:6 Psalm 91:4; Psalm 146:6); of
right dealing with men without reference to any explicit pledges (Psalm 85:11 ...
/t/truth.htm - 57k

Loadeth (3 Occurrences)
... against him, and say, Woe to him that increaseth that which is not his! how
long? and to him that loadeth himself with pledges! (DBY). ...
/l/loadeth.htm - 7k

Lips (199 Occurrences)
... consist not of meaningless dumb ritual, but of "words"-hymns and prayers, expressive
of real gratitude and of actual needs-or perhaps pledges of repentance and ...
/l/lips.htm - 37k

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