Be not thou one of them that strike hands, or of them that are sureties for debts.
Don't be someone who makes deals with a handshake, or someone who promises to pay other people's debts.
This verse is warning against making financial agreements carelessly or promising to cover someone else's debts.
📚 Historical Context
In ancient Israelite society, "striking hands" referred to a customary way of sealing agreements or loans, much like a modern handshake, which made one personally liable for the debt. Becoming a surety for debts meant guaranteeing payment for another person's obligations, a practice that often led to financial hardship if the original debtor failed to repay. This proverb is part of the Wisdom Literature in the Old Testament, emphasizing practical advice for avoiding poverty and living wisely in a community where economic risks were common.
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