Deuteronomy 24:6
Deuteronomy 24:6 in Multiple Translations
Do not take a pair of millstones or even an upper millstone as security for a debt, because that would be taking one’s livelihood as security.
¶ No man shall take the nether or the upper millstone to pledge: for he taketh a man’s life to pledge.
No man shall take the mill or the upper millstone to pledge; for he taketh a man’s life to pledge.
No one is to take, on account of a debt, the stones with which grain is crushed: for in doing so he takes a man's living.
Don't accept a pair of millstones, or even just an upper millstone, as security for a debt, because that would put the borrower's life in danger.
No man shall take the nether nor the vpper milstone to pledge: for this gage is his liuing.
'None doth take in pledge millstones, and rider, for life it [is] he is taking in pledge.
No man shall take the mill or the upper millstone as a pledge, for he takes a life in pledge.
No man shall take the nether or the upper millstone for a pledge: for he taketh a man's life for a pledge.
Thou shalt not take the nether, nor the upper millstone to pledge: for he hath pledged his life to thee.
“Anyone who lends money to someone else is allowed to require that person to give him something to guarantee that he will pay back the money that he borrowed. But he must not take from him his ◄millstone/stone for grinding grain►. That would be taking the millstone that his family needs to grind the grain to make the bread they need to stay alive.
Berean Amplified Bible — Deuteronomy 24:6
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Deuteronomy 24:6 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
לֹא
יַחֲבֹ֥ל
רֵחַ֖יִם
וָ/רָ֑כֶב
כִּי
נֶ֖פֶשׁ
ה֥וּא
חֹבֵֽל
לֹא
lôʼ
H3808
not
Part
יַחֲבֹ֥ל
châbal
H2254
to pledge
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
רֵחַ֖יִם
rêcheh
H7347
millstone
N-md
וָ/רָ֑כֶב
rekeb
H7393
chariot
Conj | N-ms
כִּי
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
נֶ֖פֶשׁ
nephesh
H5315
soul
N-cs
ה֥וּא
hûwʼ
H1931
he/she/it
Pron
חֹבֵֽל
châbal
H2254
to pledge
V-Qal
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Deuteronomy 24:6
לֹא
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
יַחֲבֹ֥ל
châbal
H2254
"to pledge"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
This verb means to be in labor or to twist in pain, like a woman giving birth. It can also mean to corrupt or destroy something. In the KJV, it is translated in various ways, including 'travail' or 'corrupt'.
Definition: 1) to bind 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to bind 2) to take a pledge, lay to pledge 2a) (Qal) to hold by a pledge, take in pledge, hold in pledge 2b) (Niphal) to give a pledge, become pledged
Usage: Occurs in 23 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, band, bring forth, (deal) corrupt(-ly), destroy, offend, lay to (take a) pledge, spoil, travail, [idiom] very, withhold. See also: Exodus 22:25; Proverbs 20:16; Psalms 7:15.
רֵחַ֖יִם
rêcheh
H7347
"millstone"
N-md
A millstone was a tool used for grinding grain, often in pairs. It is mentioned in the Bible as a common household item, essential for food preparation. The millstone was typically made of stone and used by hand.
Definition: 1) handmills 1a) a pair of millstones for grinding
Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: mill (stone). See also: Exodus 11:5; Deuteronomy 24:6; Isaiah 47:2.
וָ/רָ֑כֶב
rekeb
H7393
"chariot"
Conj | N-ms
The Hebrew word for chariot refers to a vehicle, team of horses, or cavalry. It is also used to describe the upper millstone in a grinding mill. Chariots were important in biblical times for transportation and war.
Definition: : chariot 1) a team, chariot, chariotry, mill-stone, riders 1a) chariotry, chariots 1b) chariot (single) 1c) upper millstone (as riding on lower millstone) 1d) riders, troop (of riders), horsemen, pair of horsemen, men riding, ass-riders, camel-riders Also means: re.khev (רֶ֫כֶב ": millstone" H7393H)
Usage: Occurs in 104 OT verses. KJV: chariot, (upper) millstone, multitude (from the margin), wagon. See also: Genesis 50:9; 2 Kings 8:21; Psalms 20:8.
כִּי
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
נֶ֖פֶשׁ
nephesh
H5315
"soul"
N-cs
The Hebrew word for soul or living being, used in the Bible to describe the essence of a person or animal. It encompasses the ideas of life, breath, and vitality, and is translated as 'soul' or 'creature' in the KJV. This word is central to biblical concepts of humanity and existence.
Definition: 1) soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion 1a) that which breathes, the breathing substance or being, soul, the inner being of man 1b) living being 1c) living being (with life in the blood) 1d) the man himself, self, person or individual 1e) seat of the appetites 1f) seat of emotions and passions 1g) activity of mind 1g1) uncertain 1h) activity of the will 1h1) uncertain 1i) activity of the character 1i1) uncertain
Usage: Occurs in 683 OT verses. KJV: any, appetite, beast, body, breath, creature, [idiom] dead(-ly), desire, [idiom] (dis-) contented, [idiom] fish, ghost, [phrase] greedy, he, heart(-y), (hath, [idiom] jeopardy of) life ([idiom] in jeopardy), lust, man, me, mind, mortally, one, own, person, pleasure, (her-, him-, my-, thy-) self, them (your) -selves, [phrase] slay, soul, [phrase] tablet, they, thing, ([idiom] she) will, [idiom] would have it. See also: Genesis 1:20; Leviticus 26:43; Judges 18:25.
ה֥וּא
hûwʼ
H1931
"he/she/it"
Pron
This word is a pronoun meaning 'he', 'she', or 'it', used to refer to a person or thing. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a subject or make it clear who is being talked about.
Definition: pron 3p s 1) he, she, it 1a) himself (with emphasis) 1b) resuming subj with emphasis 1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate) 1d) (anticipating subj) 1e) (emphasising predicate) 1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron 2) that (with article)
Usage: Occurs in 1693 OT verses. KJV: he, as for her, him(-self), it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they, this, those, which (is), who. See also: Genesis 2:11; Genesis 32:19; Exodus 21:3.
חֹבֵֽל
châbal
H2254
"to pledge"
V-Qal
This verb means to be in labor or to twist in pain, like a woman giving birth. It can also mean to corrupt or destroy something. In the KJV, it is translated in various ways, including 'travail' or 'corrupt'.
Definition: 1) to bind 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to bind 2) to take a pledge, lay to pledge 2a) (Qal) to hold by a pledge, take in pledge, hold in pledge 2b) (Niphal) to give a pledge, become pledged
Usage: Occurs in 23 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, band, bring forth, (deal) corrupt(-ly), destroy, offend, lay to (take a) pledge, spoil, travail, [idiom] very, withhold. See also: Exodus 22:25; Proverbs 20:16; Psalms 7:15.
Study Notes — Deuteronomy 24:6
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Deuteronomy 24:6 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Deuteronomy 24:6
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Deuteronomy 24:6
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Deuteronomy 24:6
- Trapp's Commentary on Deuteronomy 24:6
- Ellicott's Commentary on Deuteronomy 24:6
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Deuteronomy 24:6
- Cambridge Bible on Deuteronomy 24:6
- Barnes' Notes on Deuteronomy 24:6
- Whedon's Commentary on Deuteronomy 24:6
- Sermons on Deuteronomy 24:6
Context — Additional Laws
4then the husband who divorced her first may not remarry her after she has been defiled, for that is an abomination to the LORD. You must not bring sin upon the land that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance.
5If a man is newly married, he must not be sent to war or be pressed into any duty. For one year he is free to stay at home and bring joy to the wife he has married.
6Do not take a pair of millstones or even an upper millstone as security for a debt, because that would be taking one’s livelihood as security.
7If a man is caught kidnapping one of his Israelite brothers, whether he treats him as a slave or sells him, the kidnapper must die. So you must purge the evil from among you. 8In cases of infectious skin diseases, be careful to diligently follow everything the Levitical priests instruct you. Be careful to do as I have commanded them.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deuteronomy 20:19 | When you lay siege to a city for an extended time while fighting against it to capture it, you must not destroy its trees by putting an axe to them, because you can eat their fruit. You must not cut them down. Are the trees of the field human, that you should besiege them? |
| 2 | Luke 12:15 | And He said to them, “Watch out! Guard yourselves against every form of greed, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” |
| 3 | Revelation 18:22 | And the sound of harpists and musicians, of flute players and trumpeters, will never ring out in you again. Nor will any craftsmen of any trade be found in you again, nor the sound of a millstone be heard in you again. |
| 4 | Genesis 44:30 | So if the boy is not with us when I return to your servant, and if my father, whose life is wrapped up in the boy’s life, |
| 5 | Exodus 22:26–27 | If you take your neighbor’s cloak as collateral, return it to him by sunset, because his cloak is the only covering he has for his body. What else will he sleep in? And if he cries out to Me, I will hear, for I am compassionate. |
Deuteronomy 24:6 Summary
Deuteronomy 24:6 teaches us that we should not take something that is essential for someone's livelihood as payment for a debt. This is because it would be like taking away their ability to provide for themselves and their family. In simple terms, it's like taking away someone's job or their means of making a living. As seen in Exodus 22:25-27, we are called to treat others with kindness and respect, and not to take advantage of them when they are vulnerable.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of millstones in Deuteronomy 24:6?
In ancient times, millstones were essential for grinding grain into flour, a staple food. Taking them as security for a debt would be like taking away someone's means of making a living, which is why God forbids it, as seen in Deuteronomy 24:6.
Is this verse still relevant today?
Although millstones are no longer a common tool, the principle behind Deuteronomy 24:6 remains relevant. It teaches us to be considerate of others' well-being and not to take advantage of them, as also emphasized in Exodus 22:25-27 and Leviticus 25:35-37.
How does this verse relate to God's character?
Deuteronomy 24:6 reveals God's heart of compassion and concern for the poor and vulnerable. It shows that He values justice, mercy, and kindness, as also seen in Micah 6:8 and Zechariah 7:9-10.
What does this verse teach us about lending and borrowing?
This verse teaches us to lend with kindness and not to take advantage of others. It reminds us that our actions should be guided by love and a desire to help others, rather than exploiting them for personal gain, as warned in Proverbs 28:8 and Ezekiel 18:13.
Reflection Questions
- What are some modern-day equivalents of millstones that I should be careful not to take away from others?
- How can I apply the principle of Deuteronomy 24:6 in my own life, especially when dealing with those who are struggling financially?
- What does this verse reveal about God's heart for the poor and vulnerable, and how can I reflect that in my own actions?
- In what ways can I show kindness and compassion to those who are in debt or struggling to make ends meet?
Gill's Exposition on Deuteronomy 24:6
No man shall take the nether or the upper millstone to pledge,.... The first word being of the dual number takes in both stones, wherefore Vatablus renders the words, "ye shall not take for a pledge
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Deuteronomy 24:6
No man shall take the nether or the upper millstone to pledge: for he taketh a man's life to pledge. No man shall take the nether or the upper millstone.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Deuteronomy 24:6
The nether or the upper millstone, used in their handmills; of which see . Under this one kind he understands all other things necessary to get a livelihood, the taking away whereof is against the laws both of charity and prudence, seeing by those things alone he can be enabled both to subsist and to pay his debts. A man’ s life, i.e. his livelihood, or the necessary supports of his life.
Trapp's Commentary on Deuteronomy 24:6
Deuteronomy 24:6 No man shall take the nether or the upper millstone to pledge: for he taketh [a man’ s] life to pledge. Ver. 6. A man’ s life.] That is, his livelihood. A poor man in his house is like a snail in his shell, crush that and you kill him. See Luke 8:43 Mark 12:44. All her life, ολοντουβιον, that is, all her living.
Ellicott's Commentary on Deuteronomy 24:6
(6) The nether or the upper millstone.—Literally, the two millstones, or even the upper one.A man’s life.—Literally, a soul. This word connects the two verses (6, 7).
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Deuteronomy 24:6
Verse 6. The nether or the upper mill-stone] Small hand-mills which can be worked by a single person were formerly in use among the Jews, and are still used in many parts of the East. As therefore the day's meal was generally ground for each day, they keeping no stock beforehand, hence they were forbidden to take either of the stones to pledge, because in such a case the family must be without bread. On this account the text terms the millstone the man's life.
Cambridge Bible on Deuteronomy 24:6
6. Mill or Upper Millstone not to be taken in Pledge. This would be to pledge life itself. Milling (as largely still in Palestine) was mainly domestic, the first indispensable duty of the day; the sound of the millstones as sure a sign of a living family as the light of the candle (Jeremiah 25:10, Revelation 18:22; see Jerus. i. 375 f.). The mill, like the Western ‘quern,’ consisted of two stones, as the dual form of the Heb. name indicates (reḥ ?aim, cp. Ar. raḥ ?β, Baldensperger, PEFQ, 1904, 263), of which the upper, Heb. rηkeb, rider, LXX ἐπιμύλιον, was the lighter and more easily lifted (Judges 9:53). This law is peculiar to D, and related to the next but two (10–13), which however is in the direct form of address, as this is not, and uses ‘abat for pledge instead of ḥ ?abal (lit. bind) as here. The position of the law is natural after the previous one. In Israel, lands, houses and children were mortgaged (Nehemiah 5:3; Nehemiah 5:5), in Babylonia and Assyria slaves, lands and houses (Johns, op. cit. ch. 24). Of such pledges there is nothing in D, but note the next law. ‘The ancient Common Law of England provides that no man be distrained by the utensils or instruments of his trade or profession … Cook (sic), I Inst., fo. 47.’ (M.
Henry.)
Barnes' Notes on Deuteronomy 24:6
Compare Exodus 22:25-26.
Whedon's Commentary on Deuteronomy 24:6
6. No man shall take the… millstone to pledge — The handmill of the people consisted of two stones. It was necessary for preparing the ordinary food of the family, and was therefore exempt from execution for debt. Comp.
Sermons on Deuteronomy 24:6
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Care for God's Fruit-Trees by Harry Ironside | Harry Ironside emphasizes the importance of caring for God's 'fruit-trees,' which symbolize His servants, while being vigilant against false teachings and harmful influences. He dr |
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(Heavenly Life) Heavenly Attitudes by Zac Poonen | This sermon emphasizes the importance of being the salt of the earth by bringing a taste of heaven to wherever we are, whether at home, work, or church. It highlights the need to h |
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Who's Slave Are You? by Paul Washer | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of prioritizing our duties to family and church over extracurricular activities. He encourages listeners to lay down their li |
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"Rebuke to Prosperity Preachers" by Leonard Ravenhill | This sermon challenges the notion of prosperity gospel by questioning why God rebukes those who claim to be rich and increased with goods. It delves into the discrepancy between th |
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The Voice of the Soul by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the parable of the rich man from the book of Luke. The rich man had a bountiful harvest and decided to tear down his barns and build bigger |
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Don't Preach About Hell! (Compilation) by Compilations | The video is a sermon that emphasizes the importance of recognizing oneself as a child of God. The speaker repeats the phrase "You are my child" multiple times to drive this point |
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Outspoken! by Andrew Strom | In this sermon, the speaker addresses the lack of revival in the Western world, particularly in America, despite being perceived as leaders with abundant resources. They highlight |