His outer cloak may have been the only worth-while thing the poor man had to offer as his “pledge.” To offer clothing as security was not uncommon (Deut. 24:17; Job 22:6; Prov. 20:16; 27:13; Amos 2:8). This pledge was not to be held overnight (Ex. 22:25, 26). The outer garment was used for many purposes (Ex. 12:34; Judges 8:25). On the requirement of restoring a poor man’s pledge see Eze. 18:7, 12; 33:15.