Proverbs 20:16
Take a man’s garment when he has put up security for a stranger, and hold it in pledge when he puts up security for foreigners.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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This verse isn't just about being careful with who you co-sign for; it highlights that reckless suretyship for strangers is so foolish, it's like the person is already on the path to ruin. The imagery of taking their garment immediately emphasizes that such rashness forfeits common trust, essentially treating the impulsive surety as if they are already bankrupt.
This verse continues the theme of extreme caution regarding financial entanglements, specifically warning against becoming a guarantor for someone unknown. It highlights the folly of such rash decisions by suggesting that the guarantor's own possessions, even their clothing, should be taken as a pledge. This likely serves as a vivid, almost prophetic, statement of the severe consequences that await those who carelessly bind themselves for strangers or questionable individuals.
Ever felt pressured to 'just sign this' for a friend? This proverb cuts to the heart of why that's a dangerous game.
This verse is a stark warning against the folly of becoming a guarantor, or surety, for someone you don't know well – especially strangers or foreigners.
Learning Through Loss
The proverb paints a vivid picture: if someone carelessly puts up security for another, take their coat! This isn't just about seizing property; it's about the severe consequences of foolish decisions. It suggests that the surety has acted so unwisely that they forfeit their normal protections and should be treated with extreme caution by creditors. The intention is to teach a hard lesson through tangible loss, driving home the wisdom of discernment in financial commitments.
Why does the proverb specifically mention 'strangers' and 'strange women'? There's more to this warning than just financial risk.
The proverb highlights two specific scenarios where suretyship is particularly perilous: for strangers and for 'strange women.'
Doubles the Danger
Both instances point to a lack of wisdom and discernment, leading to potentially devastating consequences.
Understand the original words
arab · Hebrew Verb
Refers to the act of acting as a surety or guarantor for another's debt, involving significant personal risk and potential legal or financial entanglement.
chabolah · Hebrew Noun
A tangible item held as collateral or a guarantee for the fulfillment of a promise or the repayment of a debt.
This passage directly warns against becoming surety for a neighbor, highlighting the immediate danger and consequences of such agreements, mirroring the cautionary tone of Proverbs 20:16.
Proverbs 27:13This verse shares a nearly identical warning about taking a garment as security from one who is surety for a stranger, emphasizing the foolishness and risk involved in lending to strangers or those associated with them.
Exodus 22:26This Old Testament law addresses the taking of garments as pledges, providing crucial context by distinguishing between lending to the needy (where the garment must be returned by sunset) and the foolish suretyship warned against in Proverbs 20:16.
Matthew 5:40Jesus’ teaching in the Sermon on the Mount, telling followers to let the person who wants to sue them for their tunic also have their cloak, speaks to a higher principle of generosity and non-retaliation that contrasts with the harsh practicalities of debt and suretyship.
ellicottProverbs 20:16: "Take his garment that is surety for a stranger: and take a pledge of him for a strange woman."
(16) Take his garment that is surety for a stranger. —Another warning against suretiship. (See above on Proverbs 6:1 .) If a man is rash enough to become surety for another, he must suffer for his imprudence, and learn wisdom by feeling the effects of his folly. And take a pledge of him for a strange woman.—Rather, take him as a pledge (seize upon his person who has become surety) for…
pooleProverbs 20:16: "Take his garment that is surety for a stranger: and take a pledge of him for a strange woman."
Take his garment, to wit, as a pledge, without which he ought not to be trusted, because by this action he showeth himself to be a fool, and he taketh the ready way to beggary. Object. This precept contradicts that law which forbade the taking of a garment for a pledge, Exodus 22:26 . Answ. It doth not contradict it, for the cases vastly differ; for that law concerned only the poor, w…
This verse isn't just about being careful with who you co-sign for; it highlights that reckless suretyship for strangers is so foolish, it's like the person is already on the path to ruin. The imagery of taking their garment immediately emphasizes that such rashness forfeits common trust, essentially treating the impulsive surety as if they are already bankrupt.
This verse continues the theme of extreme caution regarding financial entanglements, specifically warning against becoming a guarantor for someone unknown. It highlights the folly of such rash decisions by suggesting that the guarantor's own possessions, even their clothing, should be taken as a pledge. This likely serves as a vivid, almost prophetic, statement of the severe consequences that await those who carelessly bind themselves for strangers or questionable individuals.
This verse continues the theme of extreme caution regarding financial entanglements, specifically warning against becoming a guarantor for someone unknown. It highlights the folly of such rash decisions by suggesting that the guarantor's own possessions, even their clothing, should be taken as a pledge. This likely serves as a vivid, almost prophetic, statement of the severe consequences that await those who carelessly bind themselves for strangers or questionable individuals.
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"Take a man’s garment when he has put up security for a stranger, and hold it in pledge when he puts up security for foreigners." — This verse isn't just about being careful with who you co-sign for; it highlights that reckless suretyship for strangers is so foolish, it's like the person is already on the path to ruin. The imager…
