Proverbs 22:27 - Printer Friendly

ESV: If you have nothing with which to pay, why should your bed be taken from under you?

NIV: if you lack the means to pay, your very bed will be snatched from under you.

NASB: If you have nothing with which to repay, Why should he take your bed from under you?

CSB: If you have nothing with which to pay, even your bed will be taken from under you.

NLT: If you can’t pay it, even your bed will be snatched from under you.

KJV: If thou hast nothing to pay, why should he take away thy bed from under thee?

NKJV: If you have nothing with which to pay, Why should he take away your bed from under you?

Solomon explains some of the consequences for ignoring the advice given in the prior verse (Proverbs 22:26). The book of Proverbs warns against unwise risks associated with other people's finances (Proverbs 6:1–5; 11:15; 17:18; 20:16). The teaching is not that we should never lend, or never give; rather, we should be careful not to place our resources in jeopardy over another person's irresponsibility.

If the borrowing person cannot fulfil the terms of the loan, the creditor may demand the debtor's furniture as payment. A person who has put up "security" or "surety" for someone else's loan risks forfeiting their property. Even so, Old Testament law provided protections for those who were so destitute that their collateral involved basic needs. Under the Law of Moses, if a person's cloak was given as a pledge, the creditor had to return it before sundown. Otherwise, the debtor would not be able to sleep in it. Deuteronomy 24:12–13 commanded Israel: "And if [the man who pledges his cloak] is a poor man, you shall not sleep in his pledge. You shall restore to him the pledge as the sun sets, that he may sleep in his cloak and bless you. And it shall be righteousness for you before the LORD your God."

However, by the days of Ezekiel some people of Israel ignored this merciful law. Ezekiel 18:10–13 lists many evils that incur the death penalty. Verse 12 mentions the evil of not restoring the pledge. This echoes statements in the book of Proverbs which condemn abusive mistreatment of the poor (Proverbs 14:31; 19:17; 22:16, 22).

This chapter completes a long string of wise sayings attributed to Solomon (Proverbs 10:1). He notes that reputation and godliness are far better than money. He also notes that godly wisdom keeps a person from various dangers. Loving parents use proper discipline to instill wisdom in their children. The last portion of the chapter introduces a new passage, made up of thirty wise teachings which Solomon endorses. This string of advice continues into chapter 24.

This chapter is the last of the second division of the book, including all of chapters 10—21. This section includes some 375 verses, mostly in paired lines. Chapter 22 completes these statements, then introduces a collection of thirty wise sayings endorsed by Solomon. The first five are negative commands, warning to avoid certain vices. Chapter 23 continues with more sayings of advice.

Proverbs is best understood in context with the books of Ecclesiastes and Job. In Proverbs, “wisdom” is given in short, simple, general terms. Ecclesiastes represents wisdom based on observation and experience. This often shows how the general principles of the book of Proverbs don’t apply in absolutely every circumstance. Job represents wisdom based on the experience of suffering and injustice. All three come to the conclusion that God does indeed know best, and the most sensible course of action is to follow His will.