Deuteronomy 24:6 - No man shall take the mill or the upper millstone as a pledge; for he takes a life in pledge.
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What does "Deuteronomy 24:6" mean?
This verse from Deuteronomy 24:6, "No man shall take the mill or the upper millstone as a pledge; for he takes a life in pledge," refers to the prohibition of taking a mill or its upper millstone as collateral for a loan. Let's break down the meaning:
"No man shall take the mill or the upper millstone as a pledge": In ancient times, when someone needed to borrow money or goods, they would often offer something of value as collateral (a "pledge"). If the borrower failed to repay the loan, the lender could keep the pledged item. This verse specifically forbids taking a mill or its upper millstone as a pledge.
"For he takes a life in pledge": This is the rationale behind the prohibition. In ancient households, especially for the poor, a mill (or more specifically the upper millstone, which was the moving part used to grind grain) was essential for grinding grain into flour. Flour was necessary for making bread, a staple food. Without the mill, the family could not produce food and would face starvation. Taking the mill, therefore, was tantamount to taking the family's means of survival, their very life.
In essence, the verse emphasizes the importance of essential tools and the protection of a person's livelihood. It highlights the compassionate and just laws of the Torah, which aimed to prevent the exploitation of the poor and vulnerable. It's a reminder that taking away someone's ability to provide for themselves is akin to endangering their life. The lender is forbidden from taking something so essential that it would condemn the borrower and their family to starvation.
Deuteronomy 24:6 - No man shall take the mill or the upper millstone as a pledge; for he takes a life in pledge.
What does "Deuteronomy 24:6" mean?
This verse from Deuteronomy 24:6, "No man shall take the mill or the upper millstone as a pledge; for he takes a life in pledge," refers to the prohibition of taking a mill or its upper millstone as collateral for a loan. Let's break down the meaning:
"No man shall take the mill or the upper millstone as a pledge": In ancient times, when someone needed to borrow money or goods, they would often offer something of value as collateral (a "pledge"). If the borrower failed to repay the loan, the lender could keep the pledged item. This verse specifically forbids taking a mill or its upper millstone as a pledge.
"For he takes a life in pledge": This is the rationale behind the prohibition. In ancient households, especially for the poor, a mill (or more specifically the upper millstone, which was the moving part used to grind grain) was essential for grinding grain into flour. Flour was necessary for making bread, a staple food. Without the mill, the family could not produce food and would face starvation. Taking the mill, therefore, was tantamount to taking the family's means of survival, their very life.
In essence, the verse emphasizes the importance of essential tools and the protection of a person's livelihood. It highlights the compassionate and just laws of the Torah, which aimed to prevent the exploitation of the poor and vulnerable. It's a reminder that taking away someone's ability to provide for themselves is akin to endangering their life. The lender is forbidden from taking something so essential that it would condemn the borrower and their family to starvation.