Pledging, in the biblical context, refers to the act of giving something as security or collateral for a debt or obligation. This practice is addressed in various passages throughout the Bible, providing guidance on ethical and moral considerations for both the lender and the borrower.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the concept of pledging is primarily discussed in the context of loans and debts. The Law of Moses includes specific instructions regarding the treatment of pledges, emphasizing fairness and compassion. For instance, 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 highlights the importance of considering the basic needs of the borrower. The cloak, often used as a blanket at night, was a vital possession for warmth and protection. The law required its return by evening, underscoring the principle of mercy and the protection of human dignity.

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 and bless you. And it will be credited to you as righteousness before the LORD your God."

These verses emphasize respect for personal privacy and the dignity of the borrower, as well as the moral obligation to act righteously in financial dealings.

New Testament Insights

While the New Testament does not address pledging as explicitly as the Old Testament, the principles of love, mercy, and justice continue to underpin Christian ethics in financial matters. Jesus' teachings often focus on the spirit of the law rather than the letter, encouraging believers to act with generosity and compassion.

In Matthew 5:42 , Jesus instructs, "Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you." This teaching encourages a spirit of generosity and willingness to help those in need, reflecting the broader biblical principle of loving one's neighbor.

Moral and Ethical Considerations

The biblical approach to pledging underscores the importance of integrity, compassion, and justice. Lenders are called to act fairly and considerately, ensuring that their actions do not exploit or harm the borrower. The Bible consistently advocates for the protection of the vulnerable and the equitable treatment of all individuals.

In Proverbs 22:26-27 , there is a warning against rash pledging: "Do not be one who gives pledges, who puts up security for debts. If you lack the means to pay, your very bed will be snatched from under you." This proverb cautions against the dangers of overextending oneself financially and the potential consequences of failing to fulfill one's obligations.

Overall, the biblical teachings on pledging serve as a reminder of the ethical responsibilities inherent in financial transactions, urging believers to act with integrity, compassion, and a commitment to justice.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Pledge.8667. tesumeth -- a pledge, security
... Word Origin from sum Definition a pledge, security NASB Word Usage security (1).
fellowship. From suwm; a deposit, ie Pledging -- + fellowship. see HEBREW suwm. ...
/hebrew/8667.htm - 6k

The Appointment.
... Jesus had appointed a tryst with these men, and in making it He was plighting His
troth, pledging His word to them. ... In this tryst He is pledging all to them. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on johns gospel/the appointment.htm

The Blood of the Everlasting Covenant
... soul flies back now, winged by imagination and by faith, and looks into that mysterious
council-chamber, and by faith I behold the Father pledging himself to ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/the blood of the everlasting.htm

Christ Repressing Rash Discipleship
... Men have vowed, and did not know what they were vowing, pledging themselves, in
a moment of excitement, to what after years discover to them to be a hard and ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture a/christ repressing rash discipleship.htm

Contemporary Pagan and Heretical Hymns
... religion was a sacramental religion "which stressed the approach to Deity through
rite and liturgy after a severe probation and an oath pledging to secrecy."[41 ...
/.../v contemporary pagan and heretical.htm

The Angel the Forerunner of the Holy Spirit Meaning Contained in ...
... Moreover, after the pledging both of the attestation of faith and the promise [8590]
of salvation under "three witnesses," there is added, of necessity ...
/.../tertullian/on baptism/chapter vi the angel the forerunner.htm

Exodus
... it was there that the epoch-making covenant was made"Jehovah promising to continue
His grace to the people, and they, on their part, pledging themselves to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/exodus.htm

John Christopher Hartwick.
... "The lease was to contain a clause pledging every colonist to unite with the church
within a year; to recognize Pastor Hartwick or his representative as his ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/bente/american lutheranism/john christopher hartwick.htm

"But they are Gods to Us," You Say. ...
... The family deities you call Lares, you exercise a domestic authority over, pledging
them, selling them, changing them"making sometimes a cooking-pot of a ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/apology/chapter xiii but they are.htm

Atonement.
... 5. In establishing a government and promulgating law, the lawgiver is always understood
as pledging himself duly to administer the laws in support of public ...
//christianbookshelf.org/finney/systematic theology/lecture xxv atonement.htm

Quo Vadis?
... thither goest Thou?'"not so much caring about that, as meaning by his question"'
tell me where, and then I will come too'; pledging himself to follow ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/quo vadis.htm

Pledging (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Pledge. Multi-Version
Concordance Pledging (1 Occurrence). Nehemiah 5:3 And there ...
/p/pledging.htm - 6k

Pleiades (3 Occurrences)

/p/pleiades.htm - 8k

Pledges (15 Occurrences)

/p/pledges.htm - 10k

Salt (45 Occurrences)
... This custom of pledging friendship or confirming a compact by eating food
containing salt is still retained among Arabic-speaking people. ...
/s/salt.htm - 34k

Famine (99 Occurrences)
... Nehemiah 5:3 And there are who are saying, 'Our fields, and our vineyards, and our
houses, we are pledging, and we receive corn for the famine.' (YLT NAS RSV ...
/f/famine.htm - 49k

Health (49 Occurrences)
... pain. 2. (n.) A wish of health and happiness, as in pledging a person in
a toast. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. HEALTH. helth ...
/h/health.htm - 22k

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