Exodus 22:26

Take thy neighbour’s raiment. To lend on pledge, as do modern pawnbrokers, was not forbidden by Hebrew law. There were, however, certain articles of primary importance on which pledges could not be taken, such as a hand mill for grinding flour or either of its millstones (Deut. 24:6). In Nehemiah’s time we read of borrowing upon pledge being practiced with evil results (see Neh. 5).

By that the sun goeth down. That is, “before the sun goes down” (RSV). The reason is stated in the next verse. If the garment was to be given back immediately, and permanently, it would not have been desirable to take it in pledge at all. Perhaps the garment was deposited during the day and returned to the owner at night.