Proverbs 22:27

If thou hast nothing to pay, why should he take away thy bed from under thee? WHY SHOULD HE TAKE AWAY THY BED? - why should you involve yourself in such difficulties as to put it in the creditor's power to take away the very bed from under thee? (cf. .)...

Verse Proverbs 22:27. _IF THOU HAST NOTHING TO PAY_] Should any man give security for more than he is _worth_? If he does, is it not a fraud on the very face of the transaction? _WHY SHOULD HE TAKE AWAY THY BED FROM UNDER THEE?_] The _creditor_ will not pursue the _debtor_ whom he knows to be worth nothing; but he will sue the _bail_ or _bondsman_. And why shouldst thou put thyself in such circumstances as to expose thyself to the loss even of thy bed?...

HE - i. e., The man to whom the surety has been given. The practice of distraining for payment of a debt, seems, though prohibited Exodus 22:27, to have become common....

EXPOSITION PROVERBS 22:1 A GOOD NAME IS RATHER TO BE CHOSEN THAN GREAT RICHES. It will be observed that "good" in the Authorized Version is in italics, showing that the epithet is not expressed in the Hebrew, which is simply שֵׁם (_shem_)_, _"name." But this word carried with it the notion of good repute, as in Ecclesiastes 7:1; for being well known implied honour and reputation, while being nameless (Job 30:8) signified not only obscurity, but ignominy and discredit. Hence the versions have ὄνομα καλόν_, nomen bonum, _and Ecclesiasticus 41:12, "Have regard to thy name (περὶ ὀνόματος)_, _for that shall continue with thee above a thousan

IF THOU HAST NOTHING TO PAY,.... When the debtor this, and the creditor demands the debt of the surety: it is weakness in a man to be a surety for another, when he knows he is not able to pay the debt he is bound for, since it may be an injury to himself and family; but it is a piece of wickedness to engage for the payment of a debt, in case of insolvency, which he knows he is not able to answer; for this is deceiving and imposing upon the creditor; and therefore it is no wonder, being provoked by such ill usage, if he goes to extremity, as follows: WHY SHOULD HE TAKE AWAY THY BED FROM UNDER THEE? as in all likelihood he will, being irritated by such a conduct; and as he might, notwithstanding the law in Exodus 22:26; for that respects a pledge, and not a debt; and raiment pledged, the covering of a man when in bed, and not the bed itself; for even wife and children might

CHAPTER 22 INSTRUCTIONS CONTINUED Better than great riches, better than silver and gold is a name and loving favor. If a person has riches and a bad name and is not well thought of, he is less honorable than the poor man who has a name and good reputation. In Ecclesiastes, Solomon says: “A good name is better than precious ointment” Ecclesiastes 7:11). The third verse has a wise message: “The prudent man foreseeth the evil and hideth himself, but the simple pass on, and suffer for it.” The Lord has revealed in His Word the evil which is in store for the sinner and the impenitent. He also has prepared a hiding place, an ark of safety, in His Son, our Lord. The prudent believeth the Word and flees to the refuge; the simple, the unbelieving, pass on and suffer for it when the evil comes. Humility and the fear of the Lord has a reward, while thorns and snares are in the way of the

HE: i.e. the usurer....

_he_ i.e. the creditor....

TEXT Proverbs 22:22-29 22. Rob not the poor, because he is poor; Neither oppress the afflicted in the gate: 23. For Jehovah will plead their cause, And despoil of life those that despoil them. 24. Make no friendship with a man that is given to anger; And with a wrathful man thou shalt not go: 25. Lest thou learn his ways, And get a snare to thy soul. 26. Be thou not one of them that strike hands, Or of them that are sureties for debts. 27. If thou has not wherewith to pay, Why should he take away thy bed from under thee? 28. Remove not the ancient landmark, Which thy fathers have set. 29. Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; He shall stand before mean men. STUDY QUESTIONS OVER 22:22-29

These proverbs are very unlike the preceding in tone, and style. The author's own personality is brought distinctly into view (Proverbs 22:17; Proverbs 23:15); he had a high opinion of the value of his maxims; he arranges them in strophes, not in couplets....