Matthew Poole and continuators on Proverbs 20:16

16 Take his garment that is surety for a stranger , and take a pledg of him for a strange woman .

To wit, as a Pledge, without which he ought not to be trusted, because by this action he sheweth himself to be a Fool, and he taketh the ready way to beggery. Obj. This precept contradicts that Law which forbad the taking of a Garment for a Pledge, Exod. 22. 26. Answ.. It doth not contradict it, for the cases vastly differ; for that Law concerned onely the Poor, who were forced to borrow for their own necessity, and therefore deserve pity; whereas this reacheth onely those who are or would be thought rich and sufficient Security for others, and who borrow not for their own need, but for a meer Stranger, for which folly they deserve to be severely punished. Besides, this may be onely a Prediction, though it be delivered in the form of a Precept, as many Predictions are; and so shews what may be expected by him that is guilty of such folly, even that he shall be stripped of his Garments and other necessaries.

For a Forreigner or a Person unknown to him.

That is surety: which words are to be understood out of the foregoing Clause.

For an Harlot, who is so called, Prov. 2. 16. and elsewhere.

Marginal references: Ch. 22. 27. & 27. 13.