Bible Dictionary: Pledge

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Smith's Bible Dictionary

Pledge

[LOAN]

ATS Bible Dictionary

Pledge

The Jewish law protected the poor who were obliged to give security for a loan or the fulfillment of a contract. If a man pawned his robe, the usual covering of the cool nights, it must be returned on the same day, Exodus 22:26-27. The creditor could not enter a house and take what he pleased; and the millstone being a necessary of life, could not be taken, De 24:6,10,11. Compare Job 22:6 24:3,7. Idolaters sometimes disregarded these prohibitions, Am 2:6-8. See LOANS. Pledges are necessary from the vicious, who cannot be trusted, Proverbs 20:16.

Easton's Bible Dictionary

see LOAN.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

1. (n.) The transfer of possession of personal property from a debtor to a creditor as security for a debt or engagement; also, the contract created between the debtor and creditor by a thing being so delivered or deposited, forming a species of bailment; also, that which is so delivered or deposited; something put in pawn.

2. (n.) A person who undertook, or became responsible, for another; a bail; a surety; a hostage.

3. (n.) A hypothecation without transfer of possession.

4. (n.) Anything given or considered as a security for the performance of an act; a guarantee; as, mutual interest is the best pledge for the performance of treaties.

5. (n.) A promise or agreement by which one binds one's self to do, or to refrain from doing, something; especially, a solemn promise in writing to refrain from using intoxicating liquors or the like; as, to sign the pledge; the mayor had made no pledges.

6. (n.) A sentiment to which assent is given by drinking one's health; a toast; a health.

7. (n.) To deposit, as a chattel, in pledge or pawn; to leave in possession of another as security; as, to pledge one's watch.

8. (n.) To give or pass as a security; to guarantee; to engage; to plight; as, to pledge one's word and honor.

9. (n.) To secure performance of, as by a pledge.

10. (n.) To bind or engage by promise or declaration; to engage solemnly; as, to pledge one's self.

11. (n.) To invite another to drink, by drinking of the cup first, and then handing it to him, as a pledge of good will; hence, to drink the health of; to toast.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

PLEDGE

plej (verbs chabhal (10 times), `arabh (2 Kings 18:23 equals Isaiah 36:8); nouns chahal (Ezekiel 18:12, 16; Ezekiel 33:15), chabcholah (Ezekiel 18:7), `arubbah), (1 Samuel 17:18), erabhon (Genesis 38:17, 18, 20); also abhoT (Deuteronomy 24:10-13) and (the Revised Version (British and American) only) abhTiT (Habakkuk 2:6)): All these words have about the same meaning.

(1) The "pledge" is, as in modern English, security given for future payment (Genesis 38:17-24) or conduct (Habakkuk 2:6, where the conquered nations have given guaranties of their subserviency to the Chaldeans; the King James Version's "thick clay" here rests on a misreading of the Hebrew). In 2 Kings 18:23 (equals Isaiah 36:8) the "pledge" is a wager (so the Revised Version margin). Rabshakeh mockingly dares Hezekiah to stake a "pledge" that he can produce 2,000 men for the defense of Jerusalem, although the mighty Assyrian host has that number of horses alone. The general point of the obscure passage Proverbs 20:16 (equals 27:13) is that he who guarantees strangers needs a guaranty himself. 1 Samuel 17:18 is uncertain and the text may be corrupt. If not, the "pledge" is some (prearranged?) token of the welfare of David's brethren.

(2) Most of the occurrences of "pledge," however, deal with the debts of the very poor, who had no property that they could spare even temporarily. Consequently, the exaction of a pledge from such persons worked genuine hardship, and to take a pledge at all was a cruel act (Job 24:3), although of course the dishonesty of withholding a pledge (Ezekiel 18:7; Ezekiel 33:15) was worse. Lowest in the scale was the creditor who took the garment the borrower was wearing (Amos 2:8 Job 22:6; Job 24:9 margin), and special legislation controlled this practice. A garment (the outer "cloak" (see DRESS) not worn while doing manual labor) so taken must be restored at night (Exodus 22:26 Deuteronomy 24:12, 13), for it was the usual covering of the sleeper. (Apparently, though, the creditor regained custody of it in the daytime until the debt was paid.) A widow's clothing, however, was entirely exempt (Deuteronomy 24:17), as was the handmill used for bread-making (Deuteronomy 24:6). The lender had no right of entry into the borrower's house to obtain the pledge (Deuteronomy 24:10, 11), but it is not said that he could not dictate what he would accept; indeed, the contrary is inconceivable.

(3) the American Standard Revised Version gives "pledge" for the King James Version and the English Revised Version "faith" in 1 Timothy 5:12.

See also EARNEST.

Burton Scott Easton

Greek

728. arrabon -- an earnest (a part payment in advance for security ...
... 728 ("down-payment pledge") is the regular term in NT times for "," ie that
guarantees will be given. 728 () then represents backed ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/728.htm - 7k

2425. hikanos -- sufficient, fit
... considerable (4), enough (1), fit (4), good many (1), large (1), large sum (1),
length* (1), long (5), long while (1), many (9), number (1), pledge (1), satisfy ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2425.htm - 8k

1860. epaggelia -- a summons, a promise
... message, promise. From epaggello; an announcement (for information, assent or pledge;
especially a divine assurance of good) -- message, promise. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1860.htm - 7k

1906. eperotema -- an inquiry, a demand
... eperotema Phonetic Spelling: (ep-er-o'-tay-mah) Short Definition: inquiry, request,
appeal Definition: inquiry, request, appeal, demand; a profession, pledge. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1906.htm - 6k

3860. paradidomi -- to hand over, to give or deliver over, to ...
... Verb Transliteration: paradidomi Phonetic Spelling: (par-ad-id'-o-mee) Short Definition:
I hand over, deliver, betray Definition: I hand over, pledge, hand down ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3860.htm - 11k

4102. pistis -- faith, faithfulness
... You do well; " (). Word Origin from peitho Definition faith, faithfulness NASB
Word Usage faith (238), faithfulness (3), pledge (1), proof (1). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4102.htm - 18k

Strong's Hebrew

2254a. chabal -- to bind, pledge
... 2254, 2254a. chabal. 2254b . to bind, pledge. Transliteration: chabal
Short Definition: pledge. Word Origin a prim. root Definition ...
/hebrew/2254a.htm - 5k

6162. erabon -- a pledge
... 6161, 6162. erabon. 6163 . a pledge. Transliteration: erabon Phonetic
Spelling: (ar-aw-bone') Short Definition: pledge. Word Origin ...
/hebrew/6162.htm - 6k

2258. chabol -- a pledge
... 2257, 2258. chabol. 2259 . a pledge. Transliteration: chabol Phonetic
Spelling: (khab-ole') Short Definition: pledge. Word Origin ...
/hebrew/2258.htm - 6k

5667. abot -- a pledge, article pledged
abot or abot. 5666, 5667. abot or abot. 5668 . a pledge, article pledged.
Transliteration: abot or abot Phonetic Spelling: (ab-ote') Short Definition: pledge ...
/hebrew/5667.htm - 6k

6161. arubbah -- a thing exchanged, pledge, token
... arubbah. 6162 . a thing exchanged, pledge, token. Transliteration: arubbah Phonetic
Spelling: (ar-oob-baw') Short Definition: guarantor. ... pledge, surety. ...
/hebrew/6161.htm - 6k

6148. arab -- to take on pledge, give in pledge, exchange
... arab. 6149 . to take on pledge, give in pledge, exchange. Transliteration: arab
Phonetic Spelling: (aw-rab') Short Definition: associate. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/6148.htm - 6k

5670. abat -- to take or give a pledge
... to take or give a pledge. Transliteration: abat Phonetic Spelling: (aw-bat') Short
Definition: borrow. ... borrow, break ranks, fetch a pledge, lend, surely. ...
/hebrew/5670.htm - 6k

2260b. chabolah -- a pledge
... chabolah. 2260c . a pledge. Transliteration: chabolah Short Definition: pledge.
Word Origin from chabal Definition a pledge NASB Word Usage pledge (1). ...
/hebrew/2260b.htm - 5k

8594. taarubah -- a pledge
... a pledge. Transliteration: taarubah Phonetic Spelling: (tah-ar-oo-baw') Short
Definition: hostages. ... From arab; suretyship, ie (concretely) a pledge -- + hostage. ...
/hebrew/8594.htm - 6k

2254. chabal -- to bind, pledge
... 2253, 2254. chabal. 2254a . to bind, pledge. Transliteration: chabal
Phonetic Spelling: (khaw-bal') Short Definition: band. band ...
/hebrew/2254.htm - 5k

Library

Sorrow the Pledge of Joy.
... SORROW THE PLEDGE OF JOY. 'Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall
be comforted.'"Matthew v.4. Grief, then, sorrow, pain of ...
/.../macdonald/hope of the gospel/sorrow the pledge of joy.htm

Abandonment a Pledge of Predestination.
... ON THE STATE OF ABANDONMENT.CHAPTER I. ON THE NATURE AND EXCELLENCE OF THE STATE
OF ABANDONMENT: SECTION III."Abandonment a Pledge of Predestination. ...
/.../abandonment to divine providence/section iii abandonment a pledge of.htm

To Daniella of Orvieto Clothed with the Habit of St. Dominic
... LETTERS TO DANIELLA OF ORVIETO CLOTHED WITH THE HABIT OF ST. DOMINIC. Thou seest,
then, that such men enjoy in this life the pledge of life eternal. ...
/.../benincasa/letters of catherine benincasa/to daniella of orvieto clothed.htm

Chapter twenty
... Into this meeting have come all those who made the pledge to do as Jesus would do,
and the time is spent in mutual fellowship, confession, question as to what ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sheldon/in his steps/chapter twenty.htm

But, Says Some One, "Are These Things to be Understood of the Lord ...
... This also the Prophet foretold, saying, "And they bound him and conducted Him as
a pledge of friendship (xenium) to King Jarim." But some one objects, "But ...
/.../21 but says some one.htm

Go in Peace
... says to me, "In what respect are believers saved?" I answer, that they are saved
in the price, in the promise, in the principles, and in the pledge of salvation ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 48 1902/go in peace.htm

Why the Greeks did not Mention Our Histories.
... truth. If you please, then, study these things carefully, that you may have
a compendium [693] and pledge of the truth. Footnotes: ...
/.../theophilus/theophilus to autolycus/chapter xxx why the greeks did.htm

Chapter twenty-three
... the First Church. The whole country had watched the progress of the pledge
as it had become history in so many lives. Mr. Maxwell ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sheldon/in his steps/chapter twenty-three.htm

"But if the Spirit of Him that Raised up Jesus from the Dead Dwell ...
... The resurrection of Christ is an evidence of our justification, the cause of our
quickening, or vivification, and the ground and pledge of our last resurrection ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xxxi but if the.htm

Of the Most Holy Miracle of St Francis in Taming the Fierce Wolf ...
... Said St Francis again: "Brother wolf, wilt thou pledge thy faith that I may trust
to this thy promise?" and putting out his hand he received the pledge of the ...
/.../ugolino/the little flowers of st francis of assisi/chapter xxi of the most.htm

Thesaurus

Pledge (55 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) Anything given or considered as a security for the performance of an act;
a guarantee; as, mutual interest is the best pledge for the performance of ...
/p/pledge.htm - 28k

Earnest (33 Occurrences)
... The word thus rendered is the same as that rendered "pledge" in Genesis 38:17-20;
"indeed, the Hebrew word has simply passed into the Greek and Latin languages ...
/e/earnest.htm - 20k

Loan (9 Occurrences)
... Limitations are prescribed by the law to the taking of a pledge from the
borrower. The outer garment in which a man slept at night ...
/l/loan.htm - 16k

Surety (21 Occurrences)
... 18; 20:16). Noah Webster's Dictionary. 1. (n.) A pledge, guarantee or security
to insure a debt or obligation. 2. (n.) That which ...
/s/surety.htm - 18k

Engage (20 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To put under pledge; to pledge; to place under obligations to do or forbear
doing something, as by a pledge, oath, or promise; to bind by contract or ...
/e/engage.htm - 14k

Foretaste (4 Occurrences)
... Romans 8:23 And more than that, we ourselves, though we possess the Spirit as a
foretaste and pledge of the glorious future, yet we ourselves inwardly sigh, as ...
/f/foretaste.htm - 8k

Security (41 Occurrences)
... deposited, or pledged, to make certain the fulfillment of an obligation, the
performance of a contract, the payment of a debt, or the like; surety; pledge. ...
/s/security.htm - 19k

Debtor (7 Occurrences)
... (1.) The debtor was to deliver up as a pledge to the creditor what he could
most easily dispense with (Deuteronomy 24:10, 11). (2 ...
/d/debtor.htm - 16k

Plight (4 Occurrences)
... 1. (v.) imp. & pp of to pledge. 2. (v.) imp. ... 5. (n.) That which is exposed to risk;
that which is plighted or pledged; security; a gage; a pledge. ...
/p/plight.htm - 8k

Robbery (18 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 18:7 and has not wronged any, but has restored to the debtor his pledge,
has taken nothing by robbery, has given his bread to the hungry, and has ...
/r/robbery.htm - 16k

Bible Concordance

Pledge (55 Occurrences)

Luke 19:8 Zacchaeus however stood up, and addressing the Lord said, "Here and now, Master, I give half my property to the poor, and if I have unjustly exacted money from any man, I pledge myself to repay to him four times the amount."
(WEY)

Acts 17:9 When they had taken security from Jason and the rest, they let them go.
(See NAS)

Romans 8:23 And more than that, we ourselves, though we possess the Spirit as a foretaste and pledge of the glorious future, yet we ourselves inwardly sigh, as we wait and long for open recognition as sons through the deliverance of our bodies.
(WEY)

1 Corinthians 11:25 In the same way, when the meal was over, He also took the cup. "This cup," He said, "is the new Covenant of which my blood is the pledge. Do this, every time that you drink it, in memory of me."
(WEY)

2 Corinthians 1:22 and He has also set His seal upon us, and has put His Spirit into our hearts as a pledge and foretaste of future blessing.
(WEY NAS)

2 Corinthians 5:5 And He who formed us with this very end in view is God, who has given us His Spirit as a pledge and foretaste of that bliss.
(WEY NAS)

Ephesians 1:14 who is a pledge of our inheritance, to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of his glory.
(WEB WEY NAS)

1 Timothy 5:12 having condemnation, because they have rejected their first pledge.
(WEB ASV NAS RSV NIV)

1 Peter 3:21 This is a symbol of baptism, which now saves you-not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
(See NIV)

Genesis 38:17 He said, "I will send you a young goat from the flock." She said, "Will you give me a pledge, until you send it?"
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 38:18 He said, "What pledge will I give you?" She said, "Your signet and your cord, and your staff that is in your hand." He gave them to her, and came in to her, and she conceived by him.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 38:20 Judah sent the young goat by the hand of his friend, the Adullamite, to receive the pledge from the woman's hand, but he didn't find her.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Exodus 22:26 If thou at all take thy neighbor's raiment to pledge, thou shalt deliver it unto him by that the sun goeth down:
(KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Leviticus 6:2 If any one sin, and commit a trespass against Jehovah, and deal falsely with his neighbor in a matter of deposit, or of bargain, or of robbery, or have oppressed his neighbor,
(See JPS)

Numbers 30:2 When a man vows a vow to Yahweh, or swears an oath to bind his soul with a bond, he shall not break his word; he shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth.
(See RSV NIV)

Numbers 30:3 "Also when a woman vows a vow to Yahweh, and binds herself by a bond, being in her father's house, in her youth,
(See RSV NIV)

Numbers 30:4 and her father hears her vow, and her bond with which she has bound her soul, and her father holds his peace at her; then all her vows shall stand, and every bond with which she has bound her soul shall stand.
(See RSV NIV)

Numbers 30:5 But if her father disallow her in the day that he hears, none of her vows, or of her bonds with which she has bound her soul, shall stand: and Yahweh will forgive her, because her father disallowed her.
(See RSV NIV)

Numbers 30:10 "If she vowed in her husband's house, or bound her soul by a bond with an oath,
(See RSV NIV)

Numbers 30:11 and her husband heard it, and held his peace at her, and didn't disallow her; then all her vows shall stand, and every bond with which she bound her soul shall stand.
(See RSV NIV)

Numbers 30:12 But if her husband made them null and void in the day that he heard them, then whatever proceeded out of her lips concerning her vows, or concerning the bond of her soul, shall not stand: her husband has made them void; and Yahweh will forgive her.
(See RSV NIV)

Numbers 30:13 Every oath, and every undertaking which she gives, to keep herself from pleasure, may be supported or broken by her husband.
(See NIV)

Deuteronomy 15:6 For Jehovah thy God will bless thee, as he promised thee; and thou shalt lend on pledge to many nations, but thou shalt not borrow; and thou shalt rule over many nations, but they shall not rule over thee.
(DBY)

Deuteronomy 15:8 but thou shalt open thy hand bountifully unto him, and shalt certainly lend him on pledge what is sufficient for his need, in that which he lacketh.
(DBY)

Deuteronomy 24:6 No man shall take the mill or the upper millstone to pledge; for he takes a man's life to pledge.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Deuteronomy 24:10 When you do lend your neighbor any manner of loan, you shall not go into his house to get his pledge.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Deuteronomy 24:11 You shall stand outside, and the man to whom you do lend shall bring forth the pledge outside to you.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Deuteronomy 24:12 If he be a poor man, you shall not sleep with his pledge;
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Deuteronomy 24:13 you shall surely restore to him the pledge when the sun goes down, that he may sleep in his garment, and bless you: and it shall be righteousness to you before Yahweh your God.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Deuteronomy 24:17 You shall not wrest the justice due to the foreigner, or to the fatherless, nor take the widow's clothing to pledge;
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Joshua 2:12 Now therefore, please swear to me by Yahweh, since I have dealt kindly with you, that you also will deal kindly with my father's house, and give me a true token;
(See NAS)

1 Samuel 17:18 And carry these ten cheeses unto the captain of their thousand, and look how thy brethren fare, and take their pledge.
(KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT)

2 Kings 18:23 Now therefore, please give pledges to my master the king of Assyria, and I will give you two thousand horses, if you are able on your part to set riders on them.
(Root in WEB KJV ASV WBS YLT)

2 Chronicles 34:32 And he made all the people in Jerusalem and Benjamin give their word to keep it. And the people of Jerusalem kept the agreement of God, the God of their fathers.
(See NIV)

Ezra 10:19 They gave their hand that they would put away their wives; and being guilty, they offered a ram of the flock for their guilt.
(See NAS RSV NIV)

Nehemiah 5:3 And there were that said, We have had to pledge our fields, and our vineyards, and our houses, that we might procure corn in the dearth.
(DBY)

Nehemiah 5:7 Then I consulted with myself, and contended with the nobles and the rulers, and said unto them, Ye exact usury, every one of his brother. And I held a great assembly against them.
(See JPS)

Job 17:3 "Now give a pledge, be collateral for me with yourself. Who is there who will strike hands with me?
(WEB JPS ASV DBY YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Job 22:6 For you have taken pledges from your brother for nothing, and stripped the naked of their clothing.
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Job 24:3 They drive away the donkey of the fatherless, and they take the widow's ox for a pledge.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Job 24:9 There are those who pluck the fatherless from the breast, and take a pledge of the poor,
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Proverbs 6:1 My son, if you have become collateral for your neighbor, if you have struck your hands in pledge for a stranger;
(WEB NAS RSV NIV)

Proverbs 11:15 He who is collateral for a stranger will suffer for it, but he who refuses pledges of collateral is secure.
(Root in WEB NIV)

Proverbs 17:18 A man without sense gives his hand in an agreement, and makes himself responsible before his neighbour.
(See NAS RSV NIV)

Proverbs 20:16 Take the garment of one who puts up collateral for a stranger; and hold him in pledge for a wayward woman.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Proverbs 22:26 Be not one of those who give their hands in an agreement, or of those who make themselves responsible for debts:
(See NAS RSV NIV)

Proverbs 27:13 Take his garment that is surety for a stranger, and take a pledge of him for a strange woman.
(KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Song of Songs 8:5 Who 'is' this coming from the wilderness, Hasting herself for her beloved? Under the citron-tree I have waked thee, There did thy mother pledge thee, There she gave a pledge 'that' bare thee.
(YLT)

Isaiah 36:8 Now therefore, please make a pledge to my master the king of Assyria, and I will give you two thousand horses, if you are able on your part to set riders on them.
(WEB KJV ASV WBS)

Ezekiel 17:18 For he has despised the oath by breaking the covenant; and behold, he had given his hand, and yet has done all these things; he shall not escape.
(See NAS NIV)

Ezekiel 18:7 and has not wronged any, but has restored to the debtor his pledge, has taken nothing by robbery, has given his bread to the hungry, and has covered the naked with a garment;
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Ezekiel 18:12 has wronged the poor and needy, has taken by robbery, has not restored the pledge, and has lifted up his eyes to the idols, has committed abomination,
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Ezekiel 18:16 neither has wronged any, has not taken anything to pledge, neither has taken by robbery, but has given his bread to the hungry, and has covered the naked with a garment;
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Ezekiel 33:15 if the wicked restore the pledge, give again that which he had taken by robbery, walk in the statutes of life, committing no iniquity; he shall surely live, he shall not die.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Amos 2:8 and they lay themselves down beside every altar on clothes taken in pledge; and in the house of their God they drink the wine of those who have been fined.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Subtopics

Pledge

Pledge: A Creditor Must not Enter the House of a Debtor to Take

Pledge: General Scriptures Concerning

Related Terms

Earnest (33 Occurrences)

Loan (9 Occurrences)

Surety (21 Occurrences)

Engage (20 Occurrences)

Foretaste (4 Occurrences)

Security (41 Occurrences)

Debtor (7 Occurrences)