In the context of biblical teachings and ancient Near Eastern practices, the concept of a "lien" as understood in modern legal terms does not directly appear in the Scriptures. However, the Bible does address related themes such as pledges, debts, and the treatment of collateral, which can be seen as analogous to the idea of a lien.

Biblical Context

In ancient Israel, the Law given through Moses provided specific instructions regarding debts and pledges. A pledge was a form of security for a debt, similar to a lien, where an item of value was held until the debt was repaid. The Bible emphasizes fairness and compassion in these transactions, reflecting God's concern for justice and the well-being of the poor.

Key Scriptures

1. Exodus 22:25-27 : "If you lend money to one of My people among you who is poor, you must not be like a moneylender to him; you must not charge him interest. If you take your neighbor’s cloak as collateral, return it to him by sunset, because his cloak is the only covering he has for his body. What else will he sleep in? And if he cries out to Me, I will hear, for I am compassionate."

This passage highlights the principle of compassion and the protection of the debtor's dignity. The cloak, used as collateral, must be returned by evening, ensuring the debtor's basic needs are met.

2. Deuteronomy 24:10-13 : "When you lend anything to your neighbor, do not enter his house to collect security. You are to stand outside while the man to whom you are lending brings the security out to you. If he is a poor man, you must not go to sleep with the security in your possession; be sure to return it to him by sunset so that he may sleep in his own cloak and bless you. And it will be credited to you as righteousness before the LORD your God."

This passage reinforces the importance of respecting the debtor's privacy and dignity. The lender is instructed to wait outside, allowing the debtor to bring the pledge voluntarily. The return of the pledge by sunset is again emphasized, underscoring the need for compassion.

3. Proverbs 22:26-27 : "Do not be one who gives pledges, who puts up security for debts. If you lack the means to pay, your very bed will be snatched from under you."

Here, the wisdom literature advises caution in becoming a guarantor for debts, warning of the potential consequences if one cannot fulfill the obligation.

Theological Implications

The biblical approach to pledges and collateral reflects a broader theological principle of justice tempered with mercy. The Law sought to protect the vulnerable from exploitation and to ensure that economic transactions did not lead to undue hardship. This reflects God's character as just and compassionate, calling His people to mirror these attributes in their dealings with one another.

Practical Application

In applying these principles today, Christians are encouraged to engage in financial dealings with integrity, fairness, and compassion. The biblical teachings on pledges and collateral serve as a reminder to prioritize relationships and human dignity over material gain. Believers are called to be mindful of the needs of others, especially the poor and vulnerable, and to act in ways that reflect God's love and justice.1. (n.) A legal claim; a charge upon real estate or personal property for the satisfaction of some debt or duty; a right in one to control or hold and retain the property of another until some claim of the former is paid or satisfied.

2. (obs. p. p.) of Lain.

Of a Modus, Custom, &C.
... But a custom to pay less than the whole tithe may he good, where something in lien
of, and as a compensation for the rest, is paid to the Parson.7 T. Rep.93. ...
/.../prideaux/directions to church-wardens/3 of a modus custom.htm

Memoir of John Bunyan
... 'Though ye have lien among the pots, yet shall ye be as the wings of a dove covered
with silver, and her feathers with yellow gold.'"Psalm 68:13. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/memoir of john bunyan.htm

The Exodus
... in the brick-kiln; we must all be wearied with toiling among the pots; or otherwise
we could never realize that glorious verse""Though ye have lien among the ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/the exodus.htm

An Elegy of a Broken Heart
... For now should I have lien down and been quiet; I should have slept; then had I
been at rest, With kings and counsellors of the earth, Which built solitary ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/i an elegy of a.htm

Psalm 68
... and forc'd to flee away; And women, who remain'd at home,. did distribute the prey.
^13Though ye have lien among the pots,. like doves ye shall appear,. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/scottish psalter and paraphrases/psalm 68.htm

Philip and the Desposyni
... Though ye have lien among the pots, yet shall ye be as the wings of a dove, which
is covered with silver wings and her feathers like gold.'. ...
/.../chapter lxiv philip and the.htm

"Nunc Dimittis"
... for which it only pines, and then, with the wings of a dove, covered with silver,
and its feathers with yellow gold, though aforetime it had lien among the pots ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/nunc dimittis.htm

Confession of the Evangelical Free Church of Geneva. AD 1848.
... Sauveur et comme leur Dieu; nous voulons les aimer, et nous d??sirons apprendre du
Seigneur ?� leur donner en toute occasion des t??moignages du lien qui nous ...
/.../confession of the evangelical free.htm

To the Saddest of the Sad
... He will sanctify you and cleanse you, and he will bring you to heaven, even you
who have lien among the pots and have been defiled in the brick-kilns of sin. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 34 1888/to the saddest of the.htm

So Likewise Ye, when Ye Shall have done all those Things
... he therewith compensates the servant's work; and yet the work is not worth the
principality, but the servant acknowledges that he has received a gracious lien. ...
/.../melanchthon/the apology of the augsburg confession/part 10 so likewise ye.htm

Lien (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Lien (3 Occurrences). ... one of the people might lightly have
lien with thy wife, and thou shouldest have brought guiltiness upon us. ...
/l/lien.htm - 7k

Lied (13 Occurrences)

/l/lied.htm - 10k

Yellow (6 Occurrences)
... (WEB ASV BBE). Psalms 68:13 Though ye have lien among the pots, yet shall ye be
as the wings of a dove covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow gold. ...
/y/yellow.htm - 9k

Lier (1 Occurrence)

/l/lier.htm - 6k

Lightly (31 Occurrences)
... us? one of the people might lightly have lien with thy wife, and thou shouldest
have brought guiltiness upon us. (KJV WBS). Deuteronomy ...
/l/lightly.htm - 16k

Guiltiness (7 Occurrences)
... us? one of the people might lightly have lien with thy wife, and thou shouldest
have brought guiltiness upon us. (KJV JPS ASV WBS). ...
/g/guiltiness.htm - 8k

Whoredoms (34 Occurrences)
... thyself: (KJV YLT). Jeremiah 3:2 Lift up thine eyes unto the high places,
and see where thou hast not been lien with. In the ways ...
/w/whoredoms.htm - 17k

Retention
... 6. (n.) The right of withholding a debt, or of retaining property until a debt
due to the person claiming the right be duly paid; a lien. Int. ...
/r/retention.htm - 8k

Shouldest (79 Occurrences)
... unto us? one of the people might lightly have lien with thy wife, and thou
shouldest have brought guiltiness upon us. (KJV). Genesis ...
/s/shouldest.htm - 30k

Pots (30 Occurrences)
... Psalms 68:13 Though ye have lien among the pots, yet shall ye be as the wings of
a dove covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow gold. (KJV WBS). ...
/p/pots.htm - 15k

Lien: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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