Charles Ellicott Commentary Exodus 22:26-27

"If thou at all take thy neighbor`s garment to pledge, thou shalt restore it unto him before the sun goeth down: for that is his only covering, it is his garment for his skin: wherein shall he sleep? And it shall come to pass, when he crieth unto me, that I will hear; for I am gracious." — Exodus 22:26-27 (ASV)

Thy neighbour’s raiment.—The simlah, or salmah, here translated “raiment,” was the large flowing outer garment, elsewhere called beged, which was commonly of woollen, and corresponded to the abba of the modern Arabs. It was a warm wrapper, and has sometimes been compared to a Scotch plaid. The poor Israelite did not much need it by day; but needed it as a blanket by night—a practice known to many modern tribes of Arabs. The present passage forbids the retention of this garment as a pledge during the night, and seems to imply a continuous practice of pledging the simlah by day, and being allowed to enjoy the use of it, nevertheless, as a nocturnal covering.