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.

KJV (with Strong's)

No man shall take {H2254} the nether {H7347} or the upper millstone {H7393} to pledge {H2254}: for he taketh {H2254} a man's life {H5315} to pledge {H2254}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"No one may take a mill or even an upper millstone as collateral for a loan, because that would be taking as collateral the debtor's very means of sustenance.

Berean Standard Bible

Do not take a pair of millstones or even an upper millstone as security for a debt, because that would be taking one’s livelihood as security.

American Standard Version

No man shall take the mill or the upper millstone to pledge; for he taketh a man’s life to pledge.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 24:6 issues a specific prohibition against taking a millstone, either the nether (lower) or upper (rider) stone, as collateral for a debt. The rationale provided is profound: to do so is tantamount to taking a person's very life as a pledge. This law underscores the sanctity of human life and livelihood, ensuring that even in economic transactions, the fundamental means of sustenance for an individual or family are protected, reflecting God's compassionate concern for the vulnerable and the establishment of a just society.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Deuteronomy 24:6 is situated within a broader section of the Deuteronomic Code (chapters 12-26), which details various civil and social laws for the Israelite community as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. This particular verse is part of a series of statutes (Deuteronomy 23:15-25:19) that emphasize social justice, compassion, and ethical conduct, particularly concerning the vulnerable members of society. It immediately follows laws regarding divorce and remarriage, and precedes prohibitions against kidnapping and regulations concerning leprosy, highlighting a diverse collection of laws united by the overarching theme of covenant faithfulness expressed through righteous living and care for one's neighbor. Within this immediate section, verses 6-7 specifically address the protection of livelihood and personal liberty, positioning the millstone law as a critical safeguard against economic oppression.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, a predominantly agrarian society, grain was the staple food, and grinding it into flour was an essential daily activity for every household. Millstones, typically consisting of a larger, stationary nether stone and a smaller, rotating upper stone, were indispensable tools for this process. Families would grind their own grain daily or every few days to produce bread, their primary sustenance. Taking these stones as a pledge would effectively strip a family of their ability to prepare food, directly threatening their survival. This law reflects a deep understanding of the economic realities and vulnerabilities of the common Israelite family, where subsistence was often precarious. It also speaks to the broader practice of taking pledges for loans, a common necessity in ancient economies, but one that required careful regulation to prevent exploitation.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes pervasive in Deuteronomy and the broader Pentateuch. Firstly, it champions the **protection of the vulnerable**, particularly the poor and those in debt, by safeguarding their most basic means of survival. This aligns with God's character as a protector of the marginalized, a theme evident in laws concerning the treatment of sojourners, widows, and orphans (e.g., [Deuteronomy 24:17-22](/deuteronomy/24-17 "Deuteronomy 24:17-22 - Justice for the Vulnerable")). Secondly, it underscores the **sanctity of human life and livelihood**. The phrase "for he taketh [a man's] life to pledge" is a strong theological statement, equating the deprivation of sustenance with an attack on life itself, reflecting the divine value placed on human existence. This echoes the broader biblical emphasis on preserving life, as seen in the Sixth Commandment (e.g., [Exodus 20:13](/exodus/20-13 "Exodus 20:13 - The Sixth Commandment")). Finally, the law exemplifies **social justice and compassion** as integral aspects of covenant living, demonstrating that true faithfulness to God involves ethical and humane economic practices that prioritize human dignity over unchecked financial gain. This principle is further elaborated in laws regarding the return of a poor man's cloak taken as a pledge (e.g., [Exodus 22:26-27](/exodus/22-26 "Exodus 22:26-27 - Return of a Pledge")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Millstone (Hebrew, _rekhayim'_):** This term refers to the complete set of grinding stones, typically two: the lower, stationary "nether" stone (_rechev_) and the upper, rotating "upper" stone (_rekhev_). Both were essential for the process of grinding grain into flour. The word _rekhayim_ itself is a dual form, emphasizing that it is a pair, and both components were indispensable. Without both, the primary means of producing daily bread, the staple of the ancient Israelite diet, was impossible.
* **Pledge (Hebrew, _chaval'_):** This verb means "to take as a pledge" or "to seize as security." It refers to the practice of taking an item of value from a debtor as collateral for a loan, to be held until the debt is repaid. While taking pledges was a legitimate practice in ancient economies, this law, along with others, demonstrates that there were clear ethical boundaries to prevent exploitation and ensure basic human needs were met, even in situations of indebtedness.
* **Life (Hebrew, _nephesh'_):** While often translated as "soul" or "life," _nephesh_ in this context carries a broader meaning encompassing the entire person, their vitality, and their means of existence or livelihood. To "take a man's life to pledge" is not to physically kill him, but to deprive him of the fundamental means by which he sustains his life and the lives of his family. It signifies an attack on his very ability to survive and flourish within the community.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"No man shall take the nether or the upper millstone to pledge:"** This clause sets forth an absolute and unequivocal prohibition. The specificity of "nether or the upper millstone" emphasizes that no part of this essential tool can be taken as security. This is a direct command, indicating that this is a non-negotiable aspect of righteous conduct within the covenant community. It highlights the severity of the act and the importance of the item being protected.
* **"for he taketh [a man's] life to pledge."** This explanatory clause provides the profound theological and ethical justification for the prohibition. It establishes a direct link between the physical act of taking the millstone and the spiritual/existential consequence of endangering a person's life. The phrase uses a powerful idiom, equating the deprivation of livelihood with the deprivation of life itself. It reveals God's deep concern for the holistic well-being of individuals, asserting that economic practices must never jeopardize a person's fundamental right to sustain themselves and their family.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. The most prominent is **Metonymy**, where "millstone" stands in for "means of livelihood" or "daily bread." By prohibiting the taking of the millstone, the law is, by extension, protecting the ability of a family to feed itself. There is also a strong element of **Hyperbole** or perhaps a vivid **Idiom** in the phrase "he taketh [a man's] life to pledge." While not literally taking a life, the language dramatically emphasizes the life-threatening consequences of such an act, underscoring the severity of the offense and the fundamental nature of the right being protected. This vivid imagery serves a **Didactic** purpose, impressing upon the audience the critical importance of compassion and justice in economic dealings, making the principle memorable and impactful.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 24:6 beautifully encapsulates the biblical emphasis on justice, compassion, and the sanctity of human life, especially for the vulnerable. It reveals a God who is deeply concerned with the practical realities of daily existence for His people, ensuring that even in situations of economic hardship, basic human dignity and the means of survival are preserved. This law is not merely a legalistic regulation but a profound theological statement about the character of God and the kind of society He desires for His covenant people – one marked by ethical responsibility and care for the marginalized. It establishes a precedent that economic gain should never come at the cost of another's fundamental well-being, reflecting a holistic understanding of "life" that includes the ability to sustain oneself.

* [Proverbs 22:22-23](/proverbs/22-22 "Proverbs 22:22-23 - Do Not Oppress the Poor")
* [Amos 2:6-7](/amos/2-6 "Amos 2:6-7 - Judgment Against Israel for Injustice")
* [James 2:15-16](/james/2-15 "James 2:15-16 - Faith Without Works Is Dead")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific context of millstones as collateral may seem distant in modern economies, the underlying principles of Deuteronomy 24:6 remain profoundly relevant and challenge believers to cultivate a heart for justice and compassion. This verse calls us to examine our own economic practices, whether as lenders, employers, or consumers, ensuring that our pursuit of profit or security does not inadvertently strip others of their fundamental means of survival or dignity. It compels us to advocate for systems and policies that protect the most vulnerable members of society, ensuring access to basic necessities and preventing predatory practices that push people into destitution. The "millstones" of today might include access to affordable housing, healthcare, education, or fair wages – anything that, if withheld or exploited, would effectively "take a person's life to pledge" by denying them the ability to sustain themselves and their families. Our faith calls us to embody God's character by prioritizing human well-being over unchecked economic gain, striving to build communities where all can flourish.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What are the "millstones" in our contemporary society that, if taken away, would threaten a person's basic livelihood or ability to thrive?**
* **How can individuals and institutions apply the principle of protecting essential means of survival in modern financial dealings, such as lending, employment, or social welfare programs?**
* **In what ways does our current economic system, or our personal financial choices, inadvertently "take a man's life to pledge" from the vulnerable?**

### FAQ
**Why were millstones so uniquely important that they could not be taken as a pledge?**

Answer: Millstones were uniquely important because they were the indispensable tools for grinding grain into flour, which was the staple food for families in ancient Israel. In a subsistence agricultural society, daily bread was literally the staff of life. Without the ability to grind grain, a family could not prepare their daily meals, directly threatening their survival. The law recognized this fundamental necessity, distinguishing millstones from other possessions that could legitimately be taken as collateral. It was a matter of life and death, not merely a financial transaction.

**Does this law mean that no collateral or pledges could ever be taken in ancient Israel?**

Answer: No, this law does not prohibit all forms of collateral or pledges. The Deuteronomic code, and the Mosaic Law more broadly, permitted the taking of pledges for loans (e.g., [Deuteronomy 15:7-8](/deuteronomy/15-7 "Deuteronomy 15:7-8 - Lending to the Poor")). However, it placed strict ethical limitations on what could be taken and how it was handled. For instance, a poor man's cloak taken as a pledge had to be returned by sunset so he could sleep in it (e.g., [Exodus 22:26-27](/exodus/22-26 "Exodus 22:26-27 - Return of a Pledge")). The prohibition on millstones was specific because they represented the absolute minimum requirement for a family's daily sustenance. The principle was to allow for economic activity while simultaneously protecting the most vulnerable from destitution.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 24:6, with its profound concern for the daily sustenance and dignity of the vulnerable, finds its ultimate fulfillment and amplification in the person and teachings of Jesus Christ. Jesus consistently championed the cause of the poor, the marginalized, and the oppressed, embodying the very heart of God's compassionate justice. He taught His disciples to pray for "daily bread" ([Matthew 6:11](/matthew/6-11 "Matthew 6:11 - The Lord's Prayer")), underscoring the divine provision for our most basic needs, and famously declared Himself the "bread of life" ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")), providing spiritual sustenance that transcends physical hunger. His parables, such as the Good Samaritan ([Luke 10:25-37](/luke/10-25 "Luke 10:25-37 - The Parable of the Good Samaritan")), and His teachings on the Kingdom of God, consistently call for radical love, generosity, and a preferential option for the poor. The warning against taking a "man's life to pledge" foreshadows Christ's condemnation of greed and materialism ([Luke 12:15](/luke/12-15 "Luke 12:15 - Beware of Greed")), and His emphasis on serving the "least of these" as serving Him directly ([Matthew 25:31-46](/matthew/25-31 "Matthew 25:31-46 - The Judgment of the Nations")). In Christ, the principle of protecting livelihood is elevated to a call for holistic human flourishing, rooted in God's abundant provision and sacrificial love, culminating in His ultimate sacrifice to grant us eternal life and true sustenance.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Deuteronomy 20:19

When thou shalt besiege a city a long time, in making war against it to take it, thou shalt not destroy the trees thereof by forcing an axe against them: for thou mayest eat of them, and thou shalt not cut them down (for the tree of the field [is] man's [life]) to employ [them] in the siege:

Luke 12:15

And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

Genesis 44:30

Now therefore when I come to thy servant my father, and the lad [be] not with us; seeing that his life is bound up in the lad's life;

Exodus 22:26

If thou at all take thy neighbour's raiment to pledge, thou shalt deliver it unto him by that the sun goeth down:

Exodus 22:27

For that [is] his covering only, it [is] his raiment for his skin: wherein shall he sleep? and it shall come to pass, when he crieth unto me, that I will hear; for I [am] gracious.

Revelation 18:22

And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft [he be], shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee;