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Proverbs 22:27

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Proverbs 22:27 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “If thou hast not wherewith to pay, Why should he take away thy bed from under thee?” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

If thou hast not wherewith to pay, Why should he take away thy bed from under thee?
Proverbs 22:27 — American Standard Version

Context — Proverbs 22

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
24Make no friendship with a man that is given to anger; And with a wrathful man thou shalt not go:
25Lest thou learn this ways, And get a snare to thy soul.
26Be thou not one of them that strike hands, [Or] of them that are sureties for debts.
27If thou hast not wherewith to pay, Why should he take away thy bed from under thee?
28Remove not the ancient landmark, Which thy fathers have set.
29Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; He shall not stand before mean men.
← Proverbs 22:26Proverbs 22:28 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“If thou hast nothing to pay, etc.] When the debtor this, and the creditor demands the debt of the surety: it is weakness in a man to be a surety for another, when he knows he is not able to pay the debt he is bound for, since it may be an injury to himself and family; but it is a piece of wickedness to engage for the payment of a debt, in case of insolvency, which he knows he is not able to answer; for this is deceiving and imposing upon the creditor; and therefore it is no wonder, being provoked by such ill usage, if he goes to extremity, as follows: why should he take away thy bed from under thee? as in all likelihood he will, being irritated by such a conduct; and as he might,…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“should he take, &c.--that is, the creditor.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“He - i. e., The man to whom the surety has been given. The practice of distraining for payment of a debt, seems, though prohibited Exodus 22:27, to have become common. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Pro 20:16; Exo 22:26, Exo 22:27; Kg2 4:1 Proverbs 22:28”
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Related study paths

Read Proverbs 22 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification