In biblical terms, the concept of "pled" is closely related to the idea of a pledge or a promise, often involving a guarantee or security for the fulfillment of an obligation. This concept is rooted in the ancient practices of making covenants and agreements, which were common in the cultural and legal contexts of the biblical world.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word often translated as "pledge" is "עָרַב" (arab), which can mean to exchange, to engage, or to give security. The practice of giving a pledge was a common legal transaction, often involving personal items or property as collateral to ensure the fulfillment of a promise or debt.

One notable example is found in the laws concerning pledges in the Mosaic Law. In Exodus 22:26-27 , it is written: "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 ethical considerations in taking pledges, emphasizing compassion and the basic needs of individuals.

In Deuteronomy 24:10-13 , further instructions are given: "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." These verses underscore the importance of respecting the dignity and rights of the borrower, reflecting God's justice and mercy.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of a pledge is less frequently mentioned, but the underlying principles of faithfulness and integrity in keeping one's word are emphasized. The Greek word "ἀρραβών" (arrabōn) is used in a metaphorical sense to describe the Holy Spirit as a pledge or guarantee of the believer's inheritance in Christ. In 2 Corinthians 1:22 , Paul writes, "He set His seal on us and put His Spirit in our hearts as a pledge of what is to come." Similarly, in Ephesians 1:13-14 , it is stated, "And in Him, having heard and believed the word of truth—the gospel of your salvation—you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the pledge of our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession, to the praise of His glory."

These passages illustrate the spiritual dimension of a pledge, where the Holy Spirit serves as a divine assurance of the believer's future inheritance and eternal security in Christ.

Theological Implications

The concept of pledges in the Bible carries significant theological implications. It reflects God's character as a covenant-keeping God who is faithful to His promises. The ethical guidelines surrounding pledges in the Old Testament reveal God's concern for justice, mercy, and the well-being of individuals, particularly the vulnerable and poor. In the New Testament, the pledge of the Holy Spirit signifies the certainty and reliability of God's promises to His people, offering assurance and hope for the future.

Overall, the biblical understanding of pledges encompasses both the practical aspects of human relationships and the profound spiritual truths of God's covenantal faithfulness.1. (p. p.) of Plead.

2. (v.) imp. & p. p. of Plead.

1777. din -- to judge
... to judge NASB Word Usage administer (1), defend (1), dispute (1), execute judgment
(1), govern (1), judge (9), judges (2), plead (2), pled (1), quarreling (1 ...
/hebrew/1777.htm - 6k

Protest and Agony. (I, iv. 10, 19, vi. 11, xi. 18-xii. 6, xv. 10 ...
... Though he loved his people with passion, and pled with them all his life, he failed
to convince or move them to repentance"and more than once was forbidden ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/jeremiah/1 protest and agony i.htm

Micah
... doubtless by this time the prophecy was written"we find his unfulfilled prediction
of the destruction of Jerusalem alluded to by the elders who pled for the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/micah.htm

A Wonderful Children's Meeting
... Then she pled with them to give their hearts to God, and told them how Jesus died
on the cross for them, and how He loved them and wanted to save them. ...
/.../a wonderful childrens meeting.htm

The Life of Mr. George Gillespie.
... general assembly held at Edinburgh 1641, Mr. Gillespie had a call tabled from the
town of Aberdeen, but the lord commissioner and himself here pled his cause ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of mr george 3.htm

O Despotou Philanthropias!
... In vain the love of God was shown,. For sinners spurned His grace; And while
He pled, they mocking cried,. "Away, let Him be crucified,". ...
/.../brownlie/hymns of the apostolic church/o despotou philanthropias.htm

A Boy's Mistake --A Sad Reconciliation.
... plead with the boy to write to his father first, and he would forgive him; but the
boy said, "I will never go home till father asks me." Then she pled with the ...
/.../moody/moodys anecdotes and illustrations/a boys mistakea sad reconciliation.htm

The Blood.
... In a minute they were overcrowded. The last one was just pushing away, when
the mother pled with them to take her and her boy. "No ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/moodys anecdotes and illustrations/the blood.htm

The Life of Mr. John Scrimzeor.
... I attest you to answer at his glorious appearance, for this and such dealings, and
protest that my cause should have been heard as I pled, and still plead and ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of mr john 4.htm

Letter Xcix. (AD 408 or Beginning of 409. )
... 3. Let not what I have now written take away your confidence in writing to me,
especially since the reason which may be pled for your endeavouring to lessen ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter xcix a d 408 or.htm

The Life of Mr. Alexander Shields.
... board the Kitchen yacht for Scotland, and landed at Leith on the 13th, and the next
day Mr. Shields was examined before the council, where he pled the liberty ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of mr alexander 4.htm

Pled (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (v.) imp. & pp of Plead. Multi-Version Concordance Pled (1 Occurrence). Jeremiah
22:16 He judged the cause of the poor and needy; then it was well. ...
/p/pled.htm - 6k

Nabal (18 Occurrences)
... She so courteously and persuasively pled her cause that David's anger was appeased,
and he said to her, "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel which sent thee this ...
/n/nabal.htm - 16k

Implead (1 Occurrence)
... im-pled' (Acts 19:38 the King James Version, "Let them impIead one another"): "Implead"
means "to sue at law," hence, the Revised Version (British and American ...
/i/implead.htm - 7k

Plebeian (1 Occurrence)

/p/plebeian.htm - 7k

Plead (64 Occurrences)
... PLEAD. pled: In modern non-legal English is a synonym of "pray" or "beseech," but
in legal phraseology "plea," "plead," and "pleading" have a great variety of ...
/p/plead.htm - 31k

Pledge (55 Occurrences)

/p/pledge.htm - 28k

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