This isn't just about "borrowing" in the usual sense; the Hebrew word implies asking or requesting, and it's a divine mandate for compensation, not a loan. God is orchestrating a form of restitution for their years of unpaid labor, ensuring they depart not as victims but as people justly compensated for their service.
Speak now in the hearing of the people, that they ask, every man of his neighbor and every woman of her neighbor, for silver and gold jewelry.” And the LORD gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover, the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt, in the sight of Pharaoh’s servants and in the sight of the people.
English Standard Version (ESV)
God has just informed Moses that Pharaoh's heart is hardened, ensuring one final, devastating plague will strike Egypt. Moses is then instructed to tell the Israelites to ask their Egyptian neighbors for silver and gold jewelry. This request, building on an earlier command given only to the women, comes right before the announcement of the final plague and the Israelites' imminent departure, setting the stage for their liberation and enrichment.
Why did God instruct the Israelites to 'borrow' riches from the Egyptians? It wasn't just about taking something; it was about receiving what was rightfully theirs.
This act of 'borrowing' was God's way of enacting justice. For generations, the Israelites had endured brutal forced labor without pay. This wasn't theft; it was a divinely ordained compensation for years of unpaid service.
How could the Egyptians, who had oppressed Israel, suddenly be willing to give them their precious jewelry?
This transformation was not a natural human occurrence but a direct act of God's sovereignty. Exodus 11:3 states, 'The Lord gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians.'
Ask a follow-up
Understand the original words
chen · Hebrew Noun
Grace or acceptance granted by others. Biblically, it often refers to God causing His people to be viewed with benevolence by those around them, even in hostile environments.
c. 13th century BC
Israelites Enslaved in Egypt
For generations, the descendants of Jacob lived in Egypt. Initially welcomed, they grew into a large population, eventually leading to their enslavement and forced labor by the Egyptians.
c. 13th century BC
Ten Plagues Afflict Egypt
After Moses's repeated pleas to Pharaoh to let the Israelites go were denied, God unleashed ten devastating plagues upon Egypt, culminating in the death of the firstborn.
c. 13th century BC— this verse
God's Command to 'Borrow' Egyptian Wealth
Leading up to the final plague, God instructed Moses to tell the Israelites to ask their Egyptian neighbors for silver and gold jewelry. This was presented not as theft, but as compensation for their years of unpaid labor.
c. 13th century BC
Pharaoh's Heart Hardened
Despite the escalating plagues, Pharaoh repeatedly refused to let the Israelites leave, with God allowing his heart to be hardened to demonstrate His power and judgment.
c. 13th century BC
The Exodus from Egypt
Following the death of the Egyptian firstborn, Pharaoh finally commanded the Israelites to leave, resulting in their mass departure from Egypt, taking with them the wealth they had 'borrowed'.
This verse speaks of God's ability to influence the hearts of people, even those who are harsh, so they might show mercy, directly paralleling how God inclined the Egyptians to favor the Israelites.
Psalm 105:25This Psalm directly states that God turned the hearts of the Egyptians to hate His people, highlighting God's sovereign hand in manipulating the emotions of nations to fulfill His purposes, which connects to Him turning their hearts in Exodus 11:2.
Job 42:10After Job endured immense suffering, the Lord blessed him and gave him twice as much as he had before; this mirrors how God restored the Israelites by having them take riches from the Egyptians after their period of oppressive servitude.
Matthew 6:20Jesus encourages storing up treasures in heaven, not on earth, yet here God directs the Israelites to gain earthly wealth, showing God's unique providence over His people even in material matters, which can ultimately serve heavenly purposes.
1 Corinthians 10:31This verse states that whatever we do, we should do for the glory of God; the Israelites taking the silver and gold was not mere personal gain, but part of God's plan to demonstrate His power and justice, thus bringing Him glory.
calvinExodus 11:1-10: "And the LORD said unto Moses, Yet will I bring one plague more upon Pharaoh, and upon Egypt; afterwards he will let you go hence: when he shall let you go, he shall surely thrust you out hence altogether."
And the Lord said unto Moses, Yet will I bring one plague more upon Pharaoh, and upon Egypt; afterwards he will let you go hence: when he shall let you go, he shall surely thrust you out hence altogether.
Dixerat autem Jehova ad Mosen, Adhuc plagam unam adducam super P…
gillExodus 11:2: "Speak 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."
Speak now in the ears of the people,.... This cannot be understood of the whole body of the people being gathered together, but of some of the principal ones, who should communicate it to others, and so from one to another, until all the heads and masters of families became acquainted with it: and let every man borrow of his neigh…
This isn't just about "borrowing" in the usual sense; the Hebrew word implies asking or requesting, and it's a divine mandate for compensation, not a loan. God is orchestrating a form of restitution for their years of unpaid labor, ensuring they depart not as victims but as people justly compensated for their service.
God has just informed Moses that Pharaoh's heart is hardened, ensuring one final, devastating plague will strike Egypt. Moses is then instructed to tell the Israelites to ask their Egyptian neighbors for silver and gold jewelry. This request, building on an earlier command given only to the women, comes right before the announcement of the final plague and the Israelites' imminent departure, setting the stage for their liberation and enrichment.
God has just informed Moses that Pharaoh's heart is hardened, ensuring one final, devastating plague will strike Egypt. Moses is then instructed to tell the Israelites to ask their Egyptian neighbors for silver and gold jewelry. This request, building on an earlier command given only to the women, comes right before the announcement of the final plague and the Israelites' imminent departure, setting the stage for their liberation and enrichment.
"Speak now in the hearing of the people, that they ask, every man of his neighbor and every woman of her neighbor, for silver and gold jewelry.” And the LORD gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover, the man Moses was v…" — This isn't just about "borrowing" in the usual sense; the Hebrew word implies asking or requesting, and it's a divine mandate for compensation, not a loan. God is orchestrating a form of restitution…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026
