Proverbs 27:13Take his garment when he puts up collateral for a stranger. Hold it for a wayward woman!
The setting
Ancient marketplace in Israel, ~950 BC. Merchants learning harsh lessons about bad debt and guarantees in Jerusalem, Israel...
The emotion here: protective concern for those being financially manipulated
The original word
arab (עָרַב) — to pledge, become surety, put up collateral for someone unreliable
Why it matters
In ancient times, taking someone's outer garment as collateral was so serious it had to be returned by nightfall so they wouldn't freeze
Read with care
What most readers miss in Proverbs 27:13
This isn't cruel - it's protecting the lender from people who make foolish financial promises
Common misconceptionChristians think this sounds unloving, but it's actually wise boundaries. Enabling financial irresponsibility doesn't help anyone grow.
The thread continues
Verses that echo Proverbs 27:13
Bible Genome reading
Proverbs 27:13 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
Proverbs 27:13 comes from the book of Proverbs, written during the United Kingdom period. The dominant emotion in this verse is deciding, with a comfort power of 20% and a tone that is commanding. It belongs to the wisdom genre of biblical literature. Key themes include surety, caution. Notable phrases: take garment; collateral; stranger. This verse contains a command.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same deciding
“"You shall have no other gods before me.”
— Deuteronomy 5:7
“"You shall not murder.”
— Exodus 20:13
“Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
— Matthew 23:12
“For God didn't give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.”
— 2 Timothy 1:7
“But Peter said, "Silver and gold have I none, but what I have, that I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!"”
— Acts 3:6
Your reflection
What does Proverbs 27:13 mean to you, today?
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