Overview
The Bible addresses pledge across 8 verses, drawn from the Old Testament. These passages cluster most in Genesis and Deuteronomy. Closely related themes include Creditor, Debt, Lending and Pawn. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Judah.
Key Bible verses about pledge
Old Testament
Genesis
And he said, I will send thee a kid from the flock. And she said, Wilt thou give me a pledge, till thou send it? a kid: Heb. a kid of the goats
And he said, What pledge shall I give thee? And she said, Thy signet, and thy bracelets, and thy staff that is in thine hand. And he gave it her, and came in unto her, and she conceived by him.
And she arose, and went away, and laid by her vail from her, and put on the garments of her widowhood.
And Judah sent the kid by the hand of his friend the Adullamite, to receive his pledge from the woman's hand: but he found her not.
Deuteronomy
When thou dost lend thy brother any thing, thou shalt not go into his house to fetch his pledge. lend: Heb. lend the loan of any thing to, etc
Thou shalt stand abroad, and the man to whom thou dost lend shall bring out the pledge abroad unto thee.
And if the man be poor, thou shalt not sleep with his pledge:
In any case thou shalt deliver him the pledge again when the sun goeth down, that he may sleep in his own raiment, and bless thee: and it shall be righteousness unto thee before the LORD thy God.
People in the Bible and pledge
Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.
In the Bible dictionary
Studying pledge for yourself
- Begin with Genesis 38:17, then read the passages below in canonical order.
- Compare how Genesis and Deuteronomy each treat the theme.
- Consider the lives of Judah and how their stories intersect with it.
- Widen the study to related themes: Creditor, Debt, Lending and Pawn.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Bible say about pledge?
The Bible addresses pledge across 8 verses, drawn from the Old Testament. These passages cluster most in Genesis and Deuteronomy. Closely related themes include Creditor, Debt, Lending and Pawn. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Judah.
How many Bible verses are about pledge?
The Bible references pledge in 8 verses (King James Version).
Where does the Bible first mention pledge?
In canonical order, the first of these passages is Genesis 38:17: “And he said, I will send thee a kid from the flock. And she said, Wilt thou give me a pledge, till thou send it? a kid: Heb. a kid of the goats”
Which people in the Bible are associated with pledge?
Judah.
Preach & teach
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