Proverbs 22:26-27

26, 27. If thou hast nothing The subject of suretyship has been treated before. (See Proverbs 6:1; Proverbs 11:15.) The case here presented seems to be that of a man becoming security for another who has little or nothing for himself. Such a man practices a fraud upon the creditor party.

Take… bed Among the Hebrews, notwithstanding the old law seemed to be otherwise, (Exodus 22:27,) even the bed, which was often only a coverlet, or a piece of coarse cloth, and not indispensable, could be taken for debt. But it is probable that this rigour was seldom practised. In this case the creditor, being imposed upon, is represented as possibly taking even the bed. Why should a man be so careless of his own and his family’s welfare as thus to expose himself? The question implies that it is sinful folly. Compare Proverbs 20:16; Proverbs 6:1-4; Proverbs 11:15; Proverbs 17:18.