Dictionaries :: Suretyship

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Suretyship:

In the entire absence of commerce the law laid down no rules on the subject of suretyship; but it is evident that in the time of Solomon commercial dealings had become so multiplied that suretyship in the commercial sense was common (Proverbs 6:1; 11:15; 17:18; 20:16; 22:26; 27:13). But in older times the notion of one man becoming a surety for a service to be discharged by another was in full force. See Genesis 44:32. The surety of course became liable for his client's debts in case of his failure.