26 If thou at all take thy neighbour's raiment to pledge, thou shalt deliver it unto him by that the sun goeth down:
26 If you take your neighbor's cloak as a pledge, return it by sunset,
26 If ever you take your neighbor's cloak in pledge, you shall return it to him before the sun goes down,
26 "If you take your neighbor's coat as security, give it back before nightfall;
26 If you ever take your neighbor's garment as a pledge, you shall return it to him before the sun goes down.
26 If you take your neighbor's cloak as security for a loan, you must return it before sunset.
10 When you make a loan of any kind to your neighbor, do not go into their house to get what is offered to you as a pledge.
10 "When you make your neighbor a loan of any sort, you shall not go into his house to collect his pledge.
10 When you make a loan of any kind to your neighbor, don't enter his house to claim his pledge.
10 "When you lend your brother anything, you shall not go into his house to get his pledge.
10 "If you lend anything to your neighbor, do not enter his house to pick up the item he is giving as security.
(Read Deuteronomy 24:5-13)
It is of great consequence that love be kept up between husband and wife; that they carefully avoid every thing which might make them strange one to another. Man-stealing was a capital crime, which could not be settled, as other thefts, by restitution. The laws concerning leprosy must be carefully observed. Thus all who feel their consciences under guilt and wrath, must not cover it, or endeavour to shake off their convictions; but by repentance, and prayer, and humble confession, take the way to peace and pardon. Some orders are given about pledges for money lent. This teaches us to consult the comfort and subsistence of others, as much as our own advantage. Let the poor debtor sleep in his own raiment, and praise God for thy kindness to him. Poor debtors ought to feel more than commonly they do, the goodness of creditors who do not take all the advantage of the law against them, nor should this ever be looked upon as weakness.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Exodus 22:26
Chapter Contents
Judicial laws.
The people of God should ever be ready to show mildness and mercy, according to the spirit of these laws. We must answer to God, not only for what we do maliciously, but for what we do heedlessly. Therefore, when we have done harm to our neighbour, we should make restitution, though not compelled by law. Let these scriptures lead our souls to remember, that if the grace of God has indeed appeared to us, then it has taught us, and enabled us so to conduct ourselves by its holy power, that denying ungodliness and wordly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world, Titus 2:12. And the grace of God teaches us, that as the Lord is our portion, there is enough in him to satisfy all the desires of our souls.