Proverbs 20:16

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 20:16

Two sorts of persons are here spoken of that are ruining their own estates, and will be beggars shortly, and therefore are not to be trusted with any good security:?1. Those that will be bound for any body that will ask them, that entangle themselves in rash suretiship to oblige their idle companions; they will break at last, nay, they cannot hold out long; these waste by wholesale. 2. Those that are in league with abandoned women, that treat them, and court them, and keep company with them.... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 20:16

Take his garment that is surety for a stranger ,.... Which a man is cautioned against, Proverbs 6:1 ; but if a man will be so weak and foolish, others ought to take care of him, and be cautious how they trust him; for he is in danger of being ruined by his suretyship, and therefore nothing should be lent him without a pledge, without a proper security; for though it was not lawful to take the garment of a poor man for a pledge, at least it was not to be kept after sunset, Exodus 22:26 ... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 20:16

Take his garment that is surety for a stranger - I suppose the meaning to be, If a stranger or unknown person become surety in a case, greater caution should be used, and such security taken from this stranger as would prevent him from running away from his engagements. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 20:12-19

Religion, industry, prudence, and honesty I. GOD THE SOURCE OF ALL GOOD . 1 . Of all bodily good. The eye, the ear, with all their wondrous mechanism, with all their rich instrumentality of enjoyment, are from him. 2 . Of all spiritual faculty and endowment, the analogues of the former, and "every good and perfect gift" ( James 1:16 ). The new heart, the right mind, should, above all, be recognized as his gifts. 3 . In domestic and in public life. Good counsels of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 20:16

Take his garment that is surety for a stranger. The maxim is repeated in Proverbs 27:13 ; and warnings against suretyship are found in Proverbs 6:1 , etc.; Proverbs 11:15 ; Proverbs 17:18 ; Proverbs 22:26 , etc. The second portion of the clause is translated also, "For he is surety for another." If a man is so weak and foolish as to become security for any one, and is unable to make good his engaged payment, let him lose his garment which the creditor would seize; his imprudence... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 20:16

Proverbs 20:16. Take his garment, &c. Namely, as a pledge, without which he ought not to be trusted, because, by the action referred to, he shows himself to be foolish, and takes the ready way to make himself a beggar; that is surety for a stranger A person unknown to him; and a pledge of him who is surety for a strange woman For a harlot, so called chap. 2:16, and elsewhere. “It is rank folly,” says Bishop Patrick, in his interpretation of this verse, “to trust him, who is so... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Proverbs 20:1-30

Honesty (20:1-30)Wise people will not become drunkards, will not needlessly anger those in authority, will avoid quarrelling and will work to support themselves (20:1-4). They will also have the ability to draw out the deepest feelings and intentions of those with whom they deal (5). Many people boast of their loyalty but few practise it. To live honestly is the best way to guarantee a good future for one’s children (6-7). A king learns by experience to discern between right and wrong in cases... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Proverbs 20:16

stranger = apostate. Hebrew. zur. See notes on Proverbs 2:16 ; Proverbs 5:3 . pledge of him. Supply Figure of speech Ellipsis ( App-6 ), "[Who has become security for] a foreign woman. " strange woman = foreign woman. Hebrew. nakar. See notes on Proverbs 2:16 ; Proverbs 5:3 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Proverbs 20:16

"Take his garment that is surety for a stranger; And hold him in pledge that is surety for foreigners."This rendition seems to catch the idea here: "Anyone stupid enough to promise to be responsible for a stranger's debts ought to have his own property held to guarantee payment."[12] read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Proverbs 20:16

Proverbs 20:16. And take a pledge of him for a strange woman— And pawn him to foreigners. read more

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