No man shall take the nether or the upper millstone to pledge: for he taketh a man's life to pledge.

DEUTERONOMY 24:6KJV
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Deuteronomy 24:6 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 24:6 mean?

Deuteronomy 24:6 says that no one should take either the lower or upper millstone as a pledge for a loan, because doing so is like taking away a person’s very means of life as security. The verse warns against demanding something essential for daily survival as collateral.

In this part of Deuteronomy, Moses is speaking to the Israelites about fair treatment in financial dealings. Millstones were used to grind grain, which was basic to making food. Taking both parts of the millstone would leave a person unable to prepare food for themselves or their family, making the pledge too harsh and inhumane.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 24:6

  • "take" (חָבַל, ḥaval): This word means to take something as security or a pledge for a debt. Here, it stresses the act of seizing something that belongs to someone else as a guarantee.
  • "nether" (רֵחַיִם, reḥayim) and "millstone" (רֵכֶב, rekhev): These refer to the two parts of a hand mill used for grinding grain. Mentioning both shows that the verse is talking about the entire tool needed for daily bread.
  • "life" (נֶפֶשׁ, nefesh): This word often means "life" or "soul," but here it points to a person’s livelihood or ability to live. Taking the millstone is seen as taking away what someone needs to survive.

Why Deuteronomy 24:6 matters

  • This verse clarifies that God’s law protects people from losing what they need to live, even if they owe a debt, highlighting compassion in legal matters.
  • The focus on millstones shows the law’s concern for everyday, practical needs, not just religious or ceremonial issues.
  • Deuteronomy 24:6 fits into a larger section about justice and mercy in community life, showing that fairness should never come at the cost of someone’s basic well-being.

Where else these words appear

“nether” Hebrew H7347 · used in 5 verses

  • Exodus 11:5 And all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sitteth upon his throne, even unto the firstborn of the maidservant that is behind the mill; and all the firstborn of beasts.
  • Numbers 11:8 And the people went about, and gathered it, and ground it in mills, or beat it in a mortar, and baked it in pans, and made cakes of it: and the taste of it was as the taste of fresh oil.
  • Isaiah 47:2 Take the millstones, and grind meal: uncover thy locks, make bare the leg, uncover the thigh, pass over the rivers.

“take” Hebrew H2254 · used in 25 verses

  • Exodus 22:26 If thou at all take thy neighbour's raiment to pledge, thou shalt deliver it unto him by that the sun goeth down:
  • Psalms 7:14 Behold, he travaileth with iniquity, and hath conceived mischief, and brought forth falsehood.
  • Isaiah 13:5 They come from a far country, from the end of heaven, even the LORD, and the weapons of his indignation, to destroy the whole land.

“millstone” Hebrew H7393 · used in 104 verses

  • Genesis 50:9 And there went up with him both chariots and horsemen: and it was a very great company.
  • 1 Kings 16:9 And his servant Zimri, captain of half his chariots, conspired against him, as he was in Tirzah, drinking himself drunk in the house of Arza steward of his house in Tirzah.
  • 2 Chronicles 12:3 With twelve hundred chariots, and threescore thousand horsemen: and the people were without number that came with him out of Egypt; the Lubims, the Sukkiims, and the Ethiopians.