Deuteronomy 24:6 kjv
No man shall take the nether or the upper millstone to pledge: for he taketh a man's life to pledge.
Deuteronomy 24:6 nkjv
"No man shall take the lower or the upper millstone in pledge, for he takes one's living in pledge.
Deuteronomy 24:6 niv
Do not take a pair of millstones?not even the upper one?as security for a debt, because that would be taking a person's livelihood as security.
Deuteronomy 24:6 esv
"No one shall take a mill or an upper millstone in pledge, for that would be taking a life in pledge.
Deuteronomy 24:6 nlt
"It is wrong to take a set of millstones, or even just the upper millstone, as security for a loan, for the owner uses it to make a living.
Deuteronomy 24 6 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Exod 22:26–27 | If you ever take your neighbor's cloak as a pledge, you must return... | Protects means of shelter for the poor |
| Deut 24:10–13 | When you lend your neighbor anything, do not go into his house... | Rules on pledges, respecting borrower's dignity and necessity |
| Deut 15:7–8 | If among you, one of your brothers should become poor... you shall surely... | Obligation to help the poor |
| Lev 19:9–10 | When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap to the very... | Provision for the poor, leaving gleanings |
| Amos 2:6–7 | They sell the righteous for silver, and the needy for a pair of sandals... | Denunciation of injustice and oppression against the poor |
| Ezek 18:7–8 | If he does not oppress anyone, but restores to the debtor his pledge... | Righteousness includes restoring pledges to debtors |
| Neh 5:1–5 | There was a great outcry of the people and their wives against their... | Indignation against those who exploited fellow Israelites with loans |
| Isa 58:6–7 | Is not this the fast that I choose... to share your bread with the hungry? | True worship involves caring for the needy and vulnerable |
| Zech 7:9–10 | Thus says the LORD of hosts, “Render true judgments, show kindness and... | Divine call for justice, compassion for vulnerable |
| Prov 22:22–23 | Do not rob the poor because he is poor, or crush the afflicted at the gate | Warning against exploiting the defenseless |
| Ps 10:2–4 | In arrogance the wicked hotly pursue the poor; let them be caught in... | Lament over the oppression of the poor |
| Job 22:6–7 | For you have taken pledges from your brother for nothing and stripped... | Rebuke for taking oppressive pledges from kin |
| Mt 6:11 | Give us this day our daily bread. | Prayer for daily sustenance, emphasizing necessity |
| Mt 25:34–40 | For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink | Care for the poor as caring for Christ |
| Luke 6:35 | But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return... | Generosity in lending without seeking gain, aiding others |
| Jas 2:1–4 | My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus... | Condemnation of favoritism that harms the poor |
| 1 John 3:17 | But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet... | Practical love demonstrated through helping brothers in need |
| 2 Cor 9:8 | And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all... | Principle of divine provision enabling generosity to others |
| Heb 13:3 | Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and... | Empathy for the oppressed, advocating for vulnerable |
| Gal 6:2 | Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. | Encouragement to support fellow believers in distress |
| Lev 25:35–37 | If your brother becomes poor and cannot maintain himself with you... | Prohibition against charging interest or profiting from a brother's poverty |
Deuteronomy 24 verses
Deuteronomy 24 6 Meaning
Deuteronomy 24:6 prohibits the taking of a millstone, whether the upper or the lower part, as a pledge or collateral for a loan. This commandment emphasizes that to deprive someone of their means to grind grain for daily bread is tantamount to taking their very life or sustenance as security. It reflects God's deep concern for the preservation of human life and dignity, particularly protecting the poor and vulnerable from extreme economic hardship that could lead to starvation.
Deuteronomy 24 6 Context
Deuteronomy 24 belongs to a series of specific laws and ethical principles given to Israel as they prepared to enter the Promised Land. This chapter focuses on various aspects of civil and humanitarian law, particularly protecting the vulnerable and ensuring justice within the community. It addresses diverse topics such as divorce, military exemption, property rights, wages for hired workers, and gleaning laws for the poor. Verse 6 falls within a section (Deut 24:6-22) dealing with fairness in lending and treatment of those in need, reflecting God's compassionate character and desire for a just society, distinct from the oppressive practices of surrounding nations.
Deuteronomy 24 6 Word analysis
- No man shall take: The phrase, from the Hebrew לֹא־יַחֲבֹ֥ל (lo'-yachabōl), means "he shall not pledge/take as collateral." It is a strong negative command, indicating an absolute prohibition. The emphasis is on safeguarding essential resources.
- millstone: The Hebrew word רֵחַיִם (rēchayim) is in the dual form, literally meaning "two millstones" or a "pair of millstones." These were indispensable household items for grinding grain into flour, the staple of daily bread for an Israelite family. The absence of one part renders the other useless.
- upper or lower: The text clarifies that even if only one part of the millstone set—either the grinding stone on top (הָעֶלְיֽוֹן, ha-ʻelyon) or the fixed base stone below (רֶ֖חֶה, recḥeh)—is taken as a pledge, it is forbidden. This emphasizes that taking even one component makes the entire grinding process impossible, thus stripping the family of its means of subsistence.
- as pledge: The term בַּֽחֲבֹ֖ל (bachabol), derived from the root used earlier, reinforces the act of taking something as security for a debt. This was a common practice in ancient economies, but the Mosaic Law set strict boundaries on what could and could not be seized as collateral, especially when life itself was at stake.
- for he takes a life as a pledge: The concluding Hebrew phrase, כִּי־נֶ֥פֶשׁ הֽוּא־חֹבֵֽל (kî-nep̄eš hūʾ ḥōḇēl), provides the divine rationale. נֶפֶשׁ (nep̄eš) here signifies "life" or "soul" in the broadest sense—a person's very existence, livelihood, and vitality. To seize an essential tool for daily sustenance like a millstone is viewed not just as taking property but as putting a life at risk, because it deprives a family of the means to obtain basic food.
- Word-group Analysis: The phrase "millstone as pledge" explicitly connects the object being pledged to its essential function. The entire clause "for he takes a life as a pledge" reveals the underlying humanitarian principle: the right to basic sustenance transcends economic transactions and contractual obligations. God's law protects the vulnerable even at the expense of what might seem like logical collateral for a debt.
Deuteronomy 24 6 Bonus section
- Sacredness of Livelihood: This law underscores the sacredness of a person's livelihood, implying that actions hindering a family's ability to feed themselves are an affront to their very being, made in God's image.
- Distinction from other cultures: Unlike many ancient Near Eastern legal codes that were often harsh on debtors and had less protective clauses for the poor, the Mosaic Law demonstrated a unique divine compassion and justice, seeking to prevent absolute destitution.
- Daily Rhythm of Life: The millstone represents the daily rhythm of life and reliance on God's provision. Taking it meant disrupting the most basic form of provision and forcing absolute dependency.
Deuteronomy 24 6 Commentary
Deuteronomy 24:6 encapsulates a core principle of Mosaic Law: economic justice is fundamentally intertwined with the preservation of human life and dignity. It establishes a compassionate boundary on debt collection, prohibiting creditors from seizing vital tools for subsistence. A millstone was not merely an asset; it was a non-negotiable instrument for survival, as families depended on grinding their own grain for daily bread. To take it as a pledge would essentially condemn the debtor to starvation, effectively "taking a life." This law stands as a powerful testament to God's heart for the poor and vulnerable, illustrating that while fulfilling one's obligations is important, human life and its fundamental sustenance take precedence over financial gain. It reflects a society governed by divine concern, prioritizing humanitarian welfare above commercial expediency.