עֲבוֹט (a.vot)
a.vot
pledge
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 4 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun aḇôt refers to a pledge or item held as security for a debt. In the ancient Near East, this was often a practical necessity rather than a mere legal formality. It typically involved giving up a vital personal possession, such as a cloak or garment, which served as collateral until the loan was repaid.
This word appears four times in the Hebrew Bible, with three occurrences concentrated in Deuteronomy 24:10-13. The text uses this specific term to highlight the vulnerability of the poor borrower. Requiring a pledge was not inherently wrong, but the law strictly regulated how it was handled, forbidding lenders from entering homes to seize items and demanding that essential garments be returned before sunset.
The theological weight of aḇôt lies in its connection to human dignity and divine justice. By limiting the lender’s power over these security items, the text protects the basic needs of the borrower. It underscores a covenantal ethic where economic transactions are subject to moral constraints, ensuring that financial agreements do not strip individuals of their fundamental rights or comfort.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
In ancient times, a pledge was often a person’s most vital possession, such as a cloak needed for warmth at night. The law surrounding this word reveals a God who cares deeply about human dignity, even in financial matters. It reminds us that our relationships with others should never be driven by greed or the desire to control.
This instruction challenges us to consider how we treat those in need. When someone is vulnerable, we are called to act with kindness and respect, ensuring their basic needs are met. By honoring these boundaries, we reflect a heart that values people over profit, creating an environment where trust and fairness can flourish.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ pledge2×
- pledge/ his1×
- in/ pledge/ his1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- עֲבֹטֽ/וֹ\׃1×
- הַ/עֲבוֹט֙1×
- הַ/עֲב֖וֹט1×
- בַּ/עֲבֹטֽ/וֹ\׃1×
Key Verses
-
Deuteronomy 24:10
When you lend your neighbor any kind of loan, you shall not go into his house to get his pledge.
This verse establishes the boundary of respect by forbidding lenders from entering a neighbor's home to seize the pledge.
-
Deuteronomy 24:13
You shall surely restore to him the pledge when the sun goes down, that he may sleep in his garment and bless you. It shall be righteousness to you before Yahweh your God.
It highlights the urgency of returning essential items like a cloak before sunset so the borrower can rest comfortably.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word aḇôt mean?
Why is this word significant in Deuteronomy 24?
How does this concept apply to Christian life today?
Every Occurrence (4 verses across 1 books)
Deuteronomy 4 verses
When you lend your neighbor any kind of loan, you shall not go into his house to get his pledge.
Deuteronomy 24:11You shall stand outside, and the man to whom you lend shall bring the pledge outside to you.
Deuteronomy 24:12If he is a poor man, you shall not sleep with his pledge.
Deuteronomy 24:13You shall surely restore to him the pledge when the sun goes down, that he may sleep in his garment and bless you. It…