Exodus 3:22
But every woman shall borrow of her neighbour, and of her that sojourneth in her house, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: and ye shall put them upon your sons, and upon your daughters; and ye shall spoil the Egyptians.
Original Language Analysis
וְשָֽׁאֲלָ֨ה
shall borrow
H7592
וְשָֽׁאֲלָ֨ה
shall borrow
Strong's:
H7592
Word #:
1 of 18
to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand
מִשְּׁכֶנְתָּהּ֙
of her neighbour
H7934
מִשְּׁכֶנְתָּהּ֙
of her neighbour
Strong's:
H7934
Word #:
3 of 18
a resident; by extension, a fellow-citizen
וּמִגָּרַ֣ת
and of her that sojourneth
H1481
וּמִגָּרַ֣ת
and of her that sojourneth
Strong's:
H1481
Word #:
4 of 18
properly, to turn aside from the road (for a lodging or any other purpose), i.e., sojourn (as a guest); also to shrink, fear (as in a strange place);
בֵּיתָ֔הּ
in her house
H1004
בֵּיתָ֔הּ
in her house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
5 of 18
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
וּכְלֵ֥י
and jewels
H3627
וּכְלֵ֥י
and jewels
Strong's:
H3627
Word #:
6 of 18
something prepared, i.e., any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)
כֶ֛סֶף
of silver
H3701
כֶ֛סֶף
of silver
Strong's:
H3701
Word #:
7 of 18
silver (from its pale color); by implication, money
וּכְלֵ֥י
and jewels
H3627
וּכְלֵ֥י
and jewels
Strong's:
H3627
Word #:
8 of 18
something prepared, i.e., any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)
זָהָ֖ב
of gold
H2091
זָהָ֖ב
of gold
Strong's:
H2091
Word #:
9 of 18
gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e., yellow), as oil, a clear sky
וְשַׂמְתֶּ֗ם
and ye shall put
H7760
וְשַׂמְתֶּ֗ם
and ye shall put
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
11 of 18
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
12 of 18
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
בְּנֵיכֶם֙
them upon your sons
H1121
בְּנֵיכֶם֙
them upon your sons
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
13 of 18
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
וְעַל
H5921
וְעַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
14 of 18
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
בְּנֹ֣תֵיכֶ֔ם
and upon your daughters
H1323
בְּנֹ֣תֵיכֶ֔ם
and upon your daughters
Strong's:
H1323
Word #:
15 of 18
a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)
וְנִצַּלְתֶּ֖ם
and ye shall spoil
H5337
וְנִצַּלְתֶּ֖ם
and ye shall spoil
Strong's:
H5337
Word #:
16 of 18
to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense
Cross References
Ezekiel 39:10So that they shall take no wood out of the field, neither cut down any out of the forests; for they shall burn the weapons with fire: and they shall spoil those that spoiled them, and rob those that robbed them, saith the Lord GOD.Psalms 105:37He brought them forth also with silver and gold: and there was not one feeble person among their tribes.Exodus 11:2Speak now in the ears of the people, and let every man borrow of his neighbour, and every woman of her neighbour, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold.Isaiah 33:1Woe to thee that spoilest, and thou wast not spoiled; and dealest treacherously, and they dealt not treacherously with thee! when thou shalt cease to spoil, thou shalt be spoiled; and when thou shalt make an end to deal treacherously, they shall deal treacherously with thee.Proverbs 13:22A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.Genesis 15:14And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance.
Historical Context
The 'borrowing' language (KJV) misled some to think Israel acted deceptively. Better translation: 'ask/request.' Exodus 12:35-36 shows Egyptians gave willingly—after the tenth plague, they were desperate for Israel to leave and gave generously (12:33). This wealth transfer reversed economic exploitation and fulfilled God's promise of leaving 'with great substance' (Genesis 15:14). The silver and gold later funded tabernacle construction (Exodus 25-40).
Questions for Reflection
- How does the 'spoiling of Egypt' illustrate God's justice in compensating the oppressed and judging oppressors economically as well as physically?
- What does God's provision of resources before the journey teach about His care to equip His people for the missions He assigns?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
But every woman shall borrow of her neighbour, and of her that sojourneth in her house, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: and ye shall put them upon your sons, and upon your daughters; and ye shall spoil the Egyptians (וְשָׁאֲלָה אִשָּׁה מִשְּׁכֶנְתָּהּ וּמִגָּרַת בֵּיתָהּ כְּלֵי־כֶסֶף וּכְלֵי זָהָב וּשְׂמָלֹת... וְנִצַּלְתֶּם אֶת־מִצְרָיִם)—The method: borrow (שָׁאַל, sha'al, more accurately "ask/request") items from neighbors. Jewels of silver and gold, and raiment—valuable portable wealth. Put them upon your sons and daughters—adorning the next generation. Ye shall spoil the Egyptians (וְנִצַּלְתֶּם אֶת־מִצְרָיִם, venitsaltem et-Mitsrayim)—spoil (נָצַל, natsal) means "plunder/strip." This is poetic justice: Egypt exploited Israel's labor for centuries; now Israel takes Egypt's wealth. The fulfillment (12:35-36) shows Egyptians giving willingly, eager for Israel to leave. God orchestrates recompense and provides resources for wilderness journey and tabernacle worship.