Bible Commentary

Proverbs 20:16

Proverbs 20:16

John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible · John Gill (1697–1771) · Public Domain

Take his garment that is surety [for] a stranger,.... Which a man is cautioned against, Pr 6:1; but if a man will be so weak and foolish, others ought to take care of him, and be cautious how they trust him; for he is in danger of being ruined by his suretyship, and therefore nothing should be lent him without a pledge, without a proper security; for though it was not lawful to take the garment of a poor man for a pledge, at least it was not to be kept after sunset, ; yet it was right to take such a man's garment who had or would be thought to have such an abundance as to be surety for a stranger.

Some think these words are to be taken as a prophecy of what would be the case of such a man that is a surety for a stranger; in the issue he will be stripped of all he has, and have not a coat to put on.

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