Deuteronomy 24:12 Meaning and Explanation
“And if the man be poor, thou shalt not sleep with his pledge:”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →If the debtor is poor, the creditor must not keep his pledge overnight.
The Context of Deuteronomy 24:12
Special protection for poor debtors.
What Does Deuteronomy 24:12 Mean?
This rule extends compassion: if a poor man has pledged something essential (like his cloak), the creditor must return it at day's end so he has it for warmth at night. The law recognizes the debtor's need and limits the creditor's right to the pledge's use.
The term 'poor' signals that this person has limited resources, making the retained pledge a severe hardship—the law intervenes to prevent that hardship.
Deuteronomy 24:12 in the Original Language
דַל (dal), 'poor'—lacking resources; in legal contexts, referring to those with minimal means to weather loss.
Frequently Asked Questions About Deuteronomy 24:12
What does Deuteronomy 24:12 mean?
If the debtor is poor, the creditor must not keep his pledge overnight.
What is the context of Deuteronomy 24:12?
Special protection for poor debtors.