Proverbs 22:26

KJV

¶ Be not thou [one] of them that strike hands, [or] of them that are sureties for debts.

KJV (with Strong's)

Be not thou one of them that strike {H8628} hands {H3709}, or of them that are sureties {H6148} for debts {H4859}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Don't be one of those who give pledges, guaranteeing loans made to others;

Berean Standard Bible

Do not be one who gives pledges, who puts up security for debts.

American Standard Version

Be thou not one of them that strike hands, Orof them that are sureties for debts.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Proverbs 22:26 delivers a profound admonition against the perilous practice of becoming a financial guarantor for another's debt. This wisdom literature cautions against the ancient custom of "striking hands," a formal gesture signifying a binding commitment to assume the financial liabilities of a third party. The verse serves as a timeless warning, urging prudence and foresight in financial dealings to protect oneself from the potential ruin that can accompany reckless suretyship.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Proverbs 22:26 is situated within a broader collection of "Sayings of the Wise" (Proverbs 22:17–24:34), a section distinct from the earlier Solomonic proverbs. This segment often presents practical, ethical, and social instructions, frequently addressing themes of diligence, honesty, justice, and financial prudence. The immediate preceding verses in [Proverbs 22](/proverbs/22 "Proverbs 22 - Sayings of the Wise") speak to the dangers of oppression, the importance of wisdom, and the consequences of various behaviors, making this verse a natural continuation of practical life guidance. It flows from general warnings about wealth and poverty into specific financial pitfalls, emphasizing personal responsibility and the avoidance of entanglements that could lead to ruin.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, as in many pre-modern societies, formal banking institutions were non-existent. Financial transactions, loans, and commercial agreements often relied on personal trust and solemn pledges. When someone needed a loan, and their creditworthiness was questionable, a third party might "strike hands" with the lender, thereby becoming a surety or guarantor. This handshake was a legally binding custom, signifying that the guarantor would assume the debt if the primary borrower defaulted. Such agreements were not merely informal promises but carried significant social and legal weight, often leading to severe consequences for the surety, including forced labor or the loss of property, as implied in passages like [Proverbs 6:1-5](/proverbs/6-1 "Proverbs 6:1-5 - Warning Against Suretyship"). The warning in this verse reflects the very real and devastating impact that such financial commitments could have on an individual and their household in an agrarian, honor-based society.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Proverbs and biblical wisdom literature. Primarily, it underscores **financial responsibility and prudence**, advocating for a cautious approach to personal resources and commitments, a recurring motif throughout the book (e.g., [Proverbs 13:11](/proverbs/13-11 "Proverbs 13:11 - Wealth Gained Dishonestly")). It also highlights the theme of **avoiding reckless commitments**, emphasizing the need for thoughtful discernment over impulsive generosity, especially when it jeopardizes one's own stability. The most prominent theme is the **danger of suretyship**, a practice consistently condemned in Proverbs (see [Proverbs 11:15](/proverbs/11-15 "Proverbs 11:15 - Dangers of Suretyship") and [Proverbs 17:18](/proverbs/17-18 "Proverbs 17:18 - Folly of Suretyship")), which warns against the entanglement and potential ruin that comes from guaranteeing another's debt. This counsel is rooted in a broader understanding of wisdom as practical righteousness, guiding individuals to live wisely in all areas of life, including their finances.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **strike (Hebrew, _tâqaʻ'_):** From H8628, meaning to clatter, slap, or drive. In this context, it refers to the forceful, binding action of handclasping, which sealed a formal agreement or pledge. It signifies the solemn and legally significant commitment made when one became a guarantor, indicating a decisive act of assuming responsibility.
* **hands (Hebrew, _kaph'_):** From H3709, referring to the hollow hand or palm. The phrase "strike hands" (tâqaʻ kaph) was a common ancient idiom for sealing a contract or pledge, particularly a financial guarantee. It emphasizes the physical, public, and binding nature of the agreement, making the commitment tangible and undeniable.
* **sureties (Hebrew, _ʻârab'_):** From H6148, a primitive root meaning to braid, intermix, or give security. This term directly denotes the act of becoming a guarantor or pledging oneself for another's debt. It highlights the deep entanglement and assumption of liability that the act of suretyship entails, where one's financial well-being becomes intertwined with another's.
* **debts (Hebrew, _mashshâʼâh'_):** From H4859, meaning a loan or anything owed. This specifies the nature of the financial obligation being guaranteed. The warning is not against general promises but specifically against assuming responsibility for another's financial liabilities, underscoring the direct monetary risk involved.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Be not thou [one] of them that strike hands":** This is a direct, imperative command, warning against participating in the custom of formally sealing a financial pledge for another. The "striking of hands" was the ancient equivalent of co-signing a loan or providing a personal guarantee, making the guarantor legally responsible for the debt. The wisdom here is to avoid entering into such high-risk agreements.
* **"[or] of them that are sureties for debts":** This clause serves as a synonymous parallel, clarifying and reinforcing the first part of the verse. It explicitly defines the nature of the "striking hands" as becoming a "surety" – one who stands as security or pledge – for another's financial obligations. The repetition underscores the gravity of the warning and leaves no ambiguity about the practice being condemned.

#### Literary Devices
Proverbs 22:26 employs several literary devices to convey its urgent message. **Metonymy** is evident in the phrase "strike hands," where the physical action of clasping hands stands in for the entire, complex legal and financial agreement of suretyship. This allows for a concise yet powerful representation of the commitment. The verse also utilizes **synonymous parallelism**, presenting the same core warning in two slightly different but complementary phrases: "them that strike hands" and "them that are sureties for debts." This repetition serves to reinforce the message, emphasizing the specific nature of the prohibited action and ensuring clarity. Furthermore, the use of the **imperative mood** ("Be not thou") delivers a direct and authoritative prohibition, underscoring the strong counsel against this financially perilous practice.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The wisdom of Proverbs 22:26 is deeply rooted in a theological understanding of stewardship and trust. It implicitly encourages reliance on God's provision and wise management of resources rather than placing one's financial security at the mercy of another's potential failure. While not forbidding all forms of generosity, it distinguishes between charitable giving and assuming a binding, high-risk financial liability for someone else, which can lead to personal ruin and an inability to fulfill one's own responsibilities. The consistent warnings against suretyship throughout Proverbs highlight a divine principle: while compassion is vital, reckless financial entanglement is not true wisdom and can undermine one's ability to live righteously and honorably.

* [Proverbs 6:1-5](/proverbs/6-1 "Proverbs 6:1-5 - Warning Against Suretyship")
* [Proverbs 11:15](/proverbs/11-15 "Proverbs 11:15 - Dangers of Suretyship")
* [Proverbs 17:18](/proverbs/17-18 "Proverbs 17:18 - Folly of Suretyship")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Proverbs 22:26 offers timeless wisdom that transcends ancient customs, speaking directly to contemporary financial practices. In an age of easy credit and complex financial instruments, the principle remains starkly relevant: avoid putting yourself in a position where you are legally responsible for another's debt. This applies directly to co-signing loans, acting as a guarantor for rentals, or taking on any financial obligation where your own assets or future income are at risk due to someone else's potential default. While our hearts may desire to help friends or family in need, true wisdom often means finding alternative ways to assist that do not jeopardize our own financial stability or the well-being of our households. This verse calls us to a high level of discernment and prudence, encouraging us to be wise stewards of the resources God has entrusted to us, ensuring we can meet our own obligations and remain free to serve Him effectively.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I be tempted to become a "surety for debts" in modern financial contexts?**
* **How can I genuinely help someone in financial distress without jeopardizing my own financial stability or violating the wisdom of this proverb?**
* **What does this verse teach me about the importance of financial boundaries and wise stewardship in my relationships?**

### FAQ
**What does "strike hands" mean in Proverbs 22:26?**

Answer: In the context of Proverbs 22:26, "strike hands" refers to an ancient custom where two individuals would clasp or slap hands together to seal a formal agreement or contract. Specifically, it denotes the act of pledging oneself as a guarantor or "surety" for another person's debt. By striking hands, one was making a solemn, legally binding commitment to assume responsibility for the financial obligation if the primary borrower failed to pay. This was a common practice in a society without modern banking systems, and it carried significant risk for the guarantor, as highlighted throughout the book of [Proverbs](/proverbs "The Book of Proverbs - Wisdom for Living").

**Why is being a "surety for debts" warned against so strongly in Proverbs?**

Answer: The book of Proverbs consistently warns against being a "surety for debts" because it is considered a profoundly unwise and perilous financial practice. The primary reason is the high risk of personal ruin. If the primary debtor defaults, the surety becomes fully responsible for the debt, which could lead to loss of property, freedom (through indentured servitude), or severe financial distress for their own family. Proverbs emphasizes prudence, financial responsibility, and avoiding unnecessary entanglements. Passages like [Proverbs 6:1-5](/proverbs/6-1 "Proverbs 6:1-5 - Warning Against Suretyship") and [Proverbs 11:15](/proverbs/11-15 "Proverbs 11:15 - Dangers of Suretyship") vividly illustrate the potential consequences, urging individuals to protect their own well-being and resources rather than jeopardizing them for another's financial liabilities. It's a call to wisdom over impulsive or naive generosity in financial matters.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Proverbs 22:26 warns against the folly of human suretyship, it inadvertently points to the profound and perfect suretyship of Jesus Christ. Humanity incurred an insurmountable debt of sin, a spiritual obligation that no human could ever repay or guarantee. Yet, Christ, in His infinite love and divine wisdom, willingly became our ultimate surety. He "struck hands" with the Father on our behalf, not in a reckless or foolish act, but with deliberate, redemptive purpose. As the author of [Hebrews](/hebrews "The Book of Hebrews - Christ Our High Priest") declares, Jesus has become the "guarantee of a better covenant" ([Hebrews 7:22](/hebrews/7-22 "Hebrews 7:22 - Jesus, the Guarantee of a Better Covenant")). He took upon Himself the full weight of our spiritual debt, bearing our sin and its penalty on the cross ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). Unlike human guarantors who risk ruin, Christ, through His perfect life, atoning death, and glorious resurrection, fully paid the debt, securing our salvation and eternal life without any risk to His divine nature. His suretyship is not a warning to avoid, but the very foundation of our hope and the ultimate demonstration of God's perfect love and wisdom ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God's Love Demonstrated")).

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

Proverbs 11:15

¶ He that is surety for a stranger shall smart [for it]: and he that hateth suretiship is sure.

Proverbs 17:18

¶ A man void of understanding striketh hands, [and] becometh surety in the presence of his friend.

Proverbs 27:13

¶ Take his garment that is surety for a stranger, and take a pledge of him for a strange woman.

Proverbs 6:1

¶ My son, if thou be surety for thy friend, [if] thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger,

Proverbs 6:5

Deliver thyself as a roe from the hand [of the hunter], and as a bird from the hand of the fowler.