Proverbs 27:13

Translation
King James Version
¶ Take his garment that is surety for a stranger, and take a pledge of him for a strange woman.
Ask
KJV (with Strong's)
Take H3947 his garment H899 that is surety H6148 for a stranger H2114, and take a pledge H2254 of him for a strange woman H5237.
Ask
Complete Jewish Bible
Seize his clothes because he guaranteed a stranger's loan; take them as security for that unknown woman.
Ask
Berean Standard Bible
Take the garment of him who posts security for a stranger; get collateral if it is for a foreigner.
Ask
American Standard Version
Take his garment that is surety for a stranger; And hold him in pledge that is surety for a foreign woman.
Ask
World English Bible Messianic
Take his garment when he puts up collateral for a stranger. Hold it for a wayward woman!
Ask
Geneva Bible (1599)
Take his garment that is surety for a stranger, and a pledge of him for the stranger.
Ask
Young's Literal Translation
Take his garment, when a stranger hath been surety, And for a strange woman pledge it.
Ask
See also
Proverbs 20:16Proverbs 6:1Proverbs 6:4Proverbs 22:26Proverbs 22:27Exodus 22:26
In the KJVVerse 17,183 of 31,102

Study This Verse

SUMMARY

Proverbs 27:13 delivers a sharp, practical warning concerning the profound dangers of extending trust and financial credit to individuals who exhibit severe deficiencies in judgment and moral integrity. It sagaciously advises the reader to secure tangible collateral from anyone who irresponsibly guarantees the debts of unknown persons or who is entangled in a morally compromising relationship with an "strange woman." This counsel underscores the critical importance of discernment, prudence, and the safeguarding of one's resources against the inevitable repercussions of another's folly and recklessness.

CONTEXT

  • Literary Context: This proverb is nestled within the "further proverbs of Solomon, copied by the men of Hezekiah" (Proverbs 25-29), a collection rich in practical wisdom for navigating daily life, social interactions, and ethical dilemmas. It immediately follows a series of admonitions concerning the perils of pride and self-sufficiency, and it precedes warnings about self-control and the deceptive nature of flattery. The theme of financial prudence, particularly regarding suretyship, is a pervasive motif throughout the book of Proverbs, often appearing alongside warnings against sexual immorality. This verse uniquely intertwines these two areas of folly—reckless financial guarantees and moral compromise—suggesting a common root of undiscerning character that leads to ruin. It highlights how a lack of wisdom in one domain often manifests in others, creating a holistic picture of imprudence.
  • Historical & Cultural Context: In ancient Israel, formal banking institutions were non-existent, making personal guarantees and pledges foundational to financial transactions. Suretyship, the act of guaranteeing another's debt, was a common practice yet consistently and strongly warned against in wisdom literature (e.g., Proverbs 6:1-5). A "garment" was not merely clothing but often a person's most valuable possession, essential for warmth, dignity, and a common item used as collateral. Mosaic Law, recognizing its vital importance, even mandated that a garment taken as a pledge be returned by nightfall to ensure the poor person's survival (e.g., Exodus 22:26-27). The "strange woman" (Hebrew: nokriyah or zarah) is a powerful, recurring symbol in Proverbs, representing not merely a foreign woman, but more profoundly, an adulteress, a harlot, or anyone who lures one away from the path of wisdom and righteousness. Her influence is consistently depicted as leading to moral, social, and financial devastation, as vividly illustrated in Proverbs 7.
  • Key Themes: Proverbs 27:13 significantly contributes to the book's overarching themes of wisdom versus folly, prudence in financial dealings, and moral discernment. It underscores the critical importance of character assessment, positing that an individual's willingness to act as "surety for a stranger" or their entanglement with a "strange woman" are unequivocal indicators of poor judgment and unreliability. The proverb implicitly teaches that protecting one's assets and well-being necessitates avoiding deep commitments and financial exposure to those who consistently demonstrate such reckless behavior. It emphasizes that folly in one area of life often signals a broader pattern of imprudence, making it a practical guide for navigating social and economic relationships with discerning wisdom. This counsel aligns with the broader biblical call for believers to live wisely and steward their resources responsibly, recognizing that true wisdom impacts every facet of life, from personal integrity to financial security.

EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

Key Word Analysis

  • Take (Hebrew, lâqach', H3947): A primitive root meaning "to take (in the widest variety of applications); accept, bring, buy, carry away..." In this context, it signifies a decisive, intentional, and necessary action. The imperative "Take" conveys a strong, actionable piece of advice, urging the wise to proactively secure themselves against potential loss. It implies a prudent measure of self-protection, not merely a suggestion but a firm recommendation for safeguarding one's resources.
  • Surety (Hebrew, ʻârab', H6148): A primitive root meaning "to braid, i.e., intermix; technically, to traffic (as if by barter); also or give to be security (as a kind of exchange); engage, ... give pledges, be(-come, put in) surety, undertake." This word describes the act of becoming a guarantor for another's debt or obligation. In Proverbs, acting as surety, particularly for an unknown or unreliable person ("a stranger"), is consistently portrayed as a highly dangerous and foolish undertaking that jeopardizes one's own financial stability and well-being, often leading to personal ruin.
  • Strange woman (Hebrew, nokrîy', H5237): Meaning "strange, in a variety of degrees and applications (foreign, non-relative, adulterous, different, wonderful); alien, foreigner, outlandish, strange(-r, woman)." While literally meaning "foreign" or "alien," in the context of Proverbs, this term primarily symbolizes an adulteress, a harlot, or any woman who leads one astray from the covenant path of righteousness and wisdom. Her influence is depicted as profoundly destructive, leading to moral decay, financial ruin, social disgrace, and spiritual death, standing in stark contrast to the life-giving path of wisdom.

Verse Breakdown

  • "Take his garment that is surety for a stranger": This clause directly advises the reader to demand collateral, specifically a garment, from an individual who has foolishly guaranteed the debt of an unknown or untrustworthy person. The act of being "surety for a stranger" demonstrates a severe lack of discernment and financial recklessness, marking such a person as an unreliable associate. The garment, being a vital possession, serves as a tangible security against the significant financial risk posed by such a person's poor judgment and potential default.
  • "and take a pledge of him for a strange woman": This second clause reiterates the imperative for securing collateral, but now the rationale shifts to the individual's entanglement with a "strange woman." This connection implies that a person who is morally compromised through association with an adulteress or immoral woman is equally unreliable and poses a significant financial risk. The "strange woman" symbolizes a path of moral and financial ruin, and involvement with her suggests a fundamental character flaw that warrants extreme caution and the securing of a pledge to mitigate potential losses.

Literary Devices

Proverbs 27:13 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its pointed wisdom. Parallelism is prominently featured through the two balanced clauses, where both "surety for a stranger" and "for a strange woman" represent distinct yet related categories of individuals whose poor judgment necessitates the taking of security. This structure exemplifies synthetic parallelism, where the second line expands upon or completes the thought of the first, presenting two facets of a single principle: the need for caution when dealing with reckless individuals. Metonymy is evident in the use of "garment" and "pledge" to stand for the broader concept of collateral or security. These specific items represent the tangible means by which one protects oneself from financial loss. Furthermore, Symbolism is powerfully at play with "stranger" representing the unknown, unreliable, and risky, and "strange woman" symbolizing moral corruption, seduction, and ultimately, ruin. These symbolic figures embody the dangers against which the proverb warns, making the abstract concept of folly concrete, vivid, and relatable.

THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS

This proverb resonates deeply with the broader biblical emphasis on wisdom, discernment, and faithful stewardship. Theologically, it underscores that God's wisdom is not confined to spiritual matters but extends to the practicalities of finance and relationships, guiding believers to live prudently and responsibly in all spheres of life. It highlights the profound principle that character flaws, whether manifested as financial recklessness or moral impurity, inevitably yield tangible, often destructive, consequences and should profoundly inform our interactions with others. The call to "take his garment" or "take a pledge" is not an endorsement of harshness or lack of compassion, but rather a pragmatic recognition of the inherent need for self-protection against the destructive outcomes of folly. This aligns with the divine call for believers to be "wise as serpents and innocent as doves" (Matthew 10:16). It teaches that true wisdom involves discerning the integrity of others and safeguarding one's resources and well-being from those who consistently demonstrate poor judgment and a pattern of irresponsibility.

REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

Proverbs 27:13, though rooted in ancient Near Eastern practices, offers profoundly timeless wisdom for navigating contemporary relationships and financial dealings. It challenges us to cultivate keen discernment when interacting with others, particularly concerning matters of trust, financial commitment, and personal association. In an age where personal guarantees, co-signing loans, and complex financial partnerships are common, this proverb serves as a vital warning against blindly trusting or financially entangling oneself with those who exhibit a consistent pattern of irresponsibility, whether through reckless financial ventures or morally compromising behaviors. It encourages us to protect our hard-earned resources, our reputation, and our peace of mind by setting clear boundaries and, where necessary, demanding appropriate safeguards. Ultimately, it calls us to embody wisdom ourselves, recognizing that our own integrity, sound judgment, and disciplined choices are our best defense against the folly and potential ruin caused by others. This proverb reminds us that true wisdom is proactive, protective, and discerning.

Questions for Reflection

  • How do I discern trustworthiness and assess character in others before entering into financial or significant personal commitments?
  • What practical safeguards or boundaries do I have in place to protect my resources and well-being from others' poor judgment or potential recklessness?
  • In what contemporary ways might I be tempted to act as "surety for a stranger" or engage with a "strange woman" (e.g., unwise investments, enabling irresponsible behavior, or forming morally compromising associations)?
  • How does this proverb encourage me to cultivate personal wisdom, integrity, and healthy boundaries in my own life and relationships?

FAQ

Why is being "surety for a stranger" considered so risky in Proverbs?

Answer: Being "surety for a stranger" (someone unknown or unreliable) is deemed highly risky because it involves guaranteeing a debt for an individual whose character, financial stability, and intentions are unverified. The book of Proverbs consistently warns against this practice (e.g., Proverbs 6:1-5), as it places one's own assets and future at severe risk with little to no control over the outcome. The stranger's likely default would lead to the surety's ruin, highlighting a fundamental lack of prudence and discernment that the wisdom literature strongly condemns.

Who is the "strange woman" in Proverbs, and why is she linked to financial risk?

Answer: The "strange woman" (Hebrew: nokriyah or zarah) in Proverbs is not merely a foreigner, but a powerful and consistent symbol of moral corruption, particularly an adulteress or harlot. She represents anyone who leads one astray from the path of wisdom, righteousness, and covenant faithfulness. She is inextricably linked to financial risk because entanglement with her often leads to devastating consequences, including the squandering of wealth, loss of reputation, social disgrace, and even physical and spiritual ruin (e.g., Proverbs 7:26-27). Her influence depletes one's resources and destroys one's future, making association with her a clear indicator of a character prone to folly and financial imprudence.

Does "take his garment" mean we should be harsh or unforgiving in our financial dealings?

Answer: No, the advice to "take his garment" or "take a pledge" is not an endorsement of harshness or unforgiveness, but a pragmatic call to prudence and protection. In ancient times, a garment was a common and significant form of collateral. The proverb advises wise risk management, urging individuals to secure themselves against the foreseeable consequences of another's folly. It's about exercising discernment and avoiding becoming a victim of others' poor judgment, while still operating within the broader biblical principles of justice and compassion (e.g., Deuteronomy 24:10-13). The wisdom is in prevention and protection, safeguarding one's household and future, rather than in retribution or a lack of compassion.

CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT

Proverbs 27:13 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment not in Christ demanding a pledge from us, but profoundly in Him being the ultimate Surety and Pledge for us, securing our eternal salvation. While the proverb warns against the immense risk of being surety for a "stranger" due to their inherent unreliability, Jesus Christ, in unparalleled love and wisdom, became the divine Surety for a humanity that was alienated and estranged from God (Hebrews 7:22). He fully knew the immeasurable cost and willingly paid the ultimate "pledge" of His own sinless life on the cross (Philippians 2:8), not taking our garment, but rather clothing us in His perfect righteousness (Isaiah 61:10). Furthermore, Jesus perfectly embodies true wisdom, standing in stark contrast to the "strange woman" who leads to ruin and spiritual death. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6), leading His followers not to destruction or moral decay, but to abundant and eternal life. His teachings consistently emphasize discernment, purity of heart, and wise stewardship, warning against spiritual adultery (e.g., Matthew 6:24) and foolish choices, while Himself providing the perfect example of prudent and righteous living. In Christ, we find the secure and trustworthy relationship that no human pledge or guarantee could ever provide.

Copy as

Commentary on Proverbs 27 verse 13

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

This also we had before, Pro 20:16. 1. It shows who those are that are hastening to poverty, those that have so little consideration as to be bound for every body that will ask them and those that are given to women. Such as these will take up money as far as ever their credit will go, but they will certainly cheat their creditors at last, nay, they are cheating them all along. An honest man may be made a beggar, but he is not honest that makes himself one. 2. It advises us to be so discreet in ordering our affairs as not to lend money to those who are manifestly wasting their estates, unless they give very good security for it. Foolish lending is injustice to our families. He does not say, "Get another to be bound with him," for he that makes himself a common voucher will have those to be his security who are as insolvent as himself; therefore take his garment.

Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verse 13. Public domain.
Copy as
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
Copy as

Continue studying Proverbs 27:13 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.

Read & Compare

Commentaries

Original Language & Research

Sermons, Hymns & Audio

TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.