Text: Deuteronomy 24:17
OT Text Referred to: Exodus 22:26-27
Subject: pledge protection extended to widows
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Reference Type: Allusion
Connection Method(s): None
Significance: Exodus 22:26-27 requires returning a poor person's garment pledge before sunset, and Deuteronomy 24:17 provides absolute protection for the most vulnerable: "You must not... take a widow's cloak as security" (לֹא תַחֲבֹל בֶּגֶד אַלְמָנָה, lo tachavol beged almanah). While Exodus allows the pledge to be taken temporarily (with sunset return), Deuteronomy forbids taking the widow's garment altogether. This escalation recognizes the widow's extreme vulnerability—she has no husband to advocate for her and may have no means to reclaim her garment, making the Exodus sunset-return provision inadequate for her protection.