Thou shalt stand abroad, and the man to whom thou dost lend shall bring out the pledge abroad unto thee.

DEUTERONOMY 24:11KJV
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Deuteronomy 24:11 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 24:11 mean?

Deuteronomy 24:11 tells a lender to wait outside while the borrower brings out an item offered as security for a loan. The lender must not enter the borrower’s home to collect the item.

Moses is addressing the Israelites about lending among their people. Following the instruction in verse 10, the scene places the lender outside the house and leaves the borrower to bring the item to him.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 24:11

  • “pledge” — עֲבוֹט (ʿavot): An item given as security for a loan. The word points to something held in connection with a debt, rather than a payment or gift.
  • “abroad” — חוּץ (ḥuts): Outside. In the KJV, “abroad” can mean outside a place, not necessarily in another country.

Why Deuteronomy 24:11 matters

  • The borrower has a role in the handover. The words “shall bring out the pledge” picture the borrower bringing the item to the lender, rather than the lender selecting it inside the house.
  • The rule also takes account of the borrower’s need for the item. Verses 12–13 address a poor borrower’s garment: the lender must return it by sunset so the borrower can sleep in it.
  • The passage places limits on what may be taken as security. Verse 6 forbids taking a millstone, because the borrower depends on it to prepare food.

Where else these words appear

“pledge” Hebrew H5667 · used in 4 verses

  • Deuteronomy 24:10 When thou dost lend thy brother any thing, thou shalt not go into his house to fetch his pledge.
  • Deuteronomy 24:12 And if the man be poor, thou shalt not sleep with his pledge:
  • Deuteronomy 24:13 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.

“lend” Hebrew H5383 · used in 12 verses

  • Exodus 22:25 If thou lend money to any of my people that is poor by thee, thou shalt not be to him as an usurer, neither shalt thou lay upon him usury.
  • 2 Kings 4:1 Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets unto Elisha, saying, Thy servant my husband is dead; and thou knowest that thy servant did fear the LORD: and the creditor is come to take unto him my two sons to be bondmen.
  • Psalms 109:11 Let the extortioner catch all that he hath; and let the strangers spoil his labour.