King James Bible Dictionary

One who becomes responsible for another. Christ is the surety of the better covenant (Hebrews 7:22). In him we have the assurance that all its provisions will be fully and faithfully carried out. Solomon warns against incautiously becoming security for another (Proverbs 6:1-5; 11:15; 17:18; 20:16).

Genesis 44:32; Exodus 22:26-27; Deuteronomy 24:10-13; Proverbs 6:1-5; Proverbs 11:15; Proverbs 17:18; Proverbs 20:16; Proverbs 22:26; Proverbs 27:13; Ezekiel 18:7; Ezekiel 18:12; Ezekiel 33:15; Amos 2:8

SU'RETY, noun Certainty; indubitableness.

Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs-- Genesis 15:13.

1. Security; safety.

Yet for the more surety they looked round about.

2. Foundation of stability; support.

We our state

Hold, as you yours, while our obedience holds;

On other surety none.

3. Evidence; ratification; confirmation.

She call'd the saints to surety

That she would never put it from her finger,

Unless she gave it to yourself.

4. Security against loss or damage; security for payment.

There remains unpaid

A hundred thousand more, in surety of the which

One part of Aquitain is bound to us.

5. In law, one that is bound with and for another; one who enters into a bond or recognizance to answer for another's appearance in court, or for his payment of a debt or for the performance of some act, and who, in case of the principal debtor's failure, is compellable to pay the debt or damages; a bondsman; a bail.

He that is surety for a stranger, shall smart for it. Proverbs 11:15.

Thy servant became surety for the lad to my father. Genesis 44:32.

6. In Scripture, Christ is called 'the surety of a better testament.' Hebrews 7:22. He undertook to make atonement for the sins of men, and thus prepare the way to deliver them from the punishment to which they had rendered themselves liable.

7. A hostage.

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.