Exodus 12:35 Meaning: Asking, Not Borrowing
The children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they asked of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and clothing.
And the children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they borrowed of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment:
And the children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they asked of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment:
And the sons of Israel have done according to the word of Moses, and they ask from the Egyptians vessels of silver and vessels of gold, and garments;
And the children of Israel had done according to the word of Moses, and they had asked of the Egyptians utensils of silver, and utensils of gold, and clothing.
Meaning in one sentence
Understand Exodus 12:35: the Israelites asked Egyptians for silver, gold, and clothing.
Context
This verse comes at a hinge point in Exodus. The tenth plague has just struck Egypt, and Pharaoh has finally released the Israelites. The Egyptians, terrified of more death, are desperate for the people to leave. Before they go, the Israelites follow the instruction Moses had given them earlier, from Exodus 3 and 11. They ask their neighbors for items of silver, gold, and clothing. This is not a secret scheme or a loan. It is a direct request, and the Egyptians give freely because God has turned their hearts. The scene shows God creating favor where there had been only oppression.
Key Words
The word that older translations render as “borrowed” is the Hebrew verb sha’al. It simply means “to ask, to request.” It does not carry the idea of a loan that must be returned. The Israelites were not tricking the Egyptians. They were making a straightforward request, and God had already prepared the Egyptians to respond generously.
The items they asked for are called keli (articles, vessels, utensils) of silver and gold, and simlah (garments, mantles). These were not just luxury goods. Silver and gold would be needed for the journey and later used to build the Tabernacle. Clothing was practical for travel. Every item was a provision God had promised Abraham centuries before: his descendants would leave with great wealth (Genesis 15:14).
How Christians Read This Verse
Different Christian traditions have seen this scene in varied ways. Matthew Henry, a Reformed commentator, viewed the gifts as God’s just repayment for years of unpaid slave labor. The Jamieson-Fausset-Brown commentary agrees, emphasizing that the word “borrow” is a mistranslation; the Israelites were simply requesting fair wages. Other readers see a type here: as Israel left Egypt with riches, so believers receive spiritual riches through Christ. Across all traditions, there is agreement that God was at work, fulfilling His promises and providing for His people in a way that surprised everyone.
A common misunderstanding
Some readers think the Israelites deceived the Egyptians by borrowing items they never intended to repay. In fact, the Hebrew word sha’al means “asked,” not “borrowed” in the sense of a loan. The Egyptians gave willingly because God gave the Israelites favor. God had already promised Abraham that his descendants would leave with great wealth (Genesis 15:14). No deception took place.
Living This Out
This week, consider where God might be opening doors for you in unexpected places. Maybe a difficult relationship softens. Maybe a resource appears from a source you never expected. The Israelites did not scheme or manipulate. They simply asked, trusting that God had gone before them. You can do the same. Not demanding, not pushing, just asking, and trusting that the God who provided then will provide now.
Main takeaway: God keeps His promises to provide for His people, often through the very hands that once held them captive.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
God told the Israelites to ask the Egyptians for some of their things. The Egyptians gave them silver, gold, and clothes because God made them want to help. God always takes care of His people.
For ages 9, 12
The Israelites had been slaves in Egypt for a long time. When they finally left, God told them to ask the Egyptians for silver, gold, and clothing. Some people think this was stealing or trickery, but it wasn’t. The word in the Bible means simply “asked.” God had promised Abraham that his family would leave with great wealth, and God kept that promise. The Egyptians gave because God changed their hearts. This shows that God can provide for us even from surprising places.
Questions People Ask
Did the Israelites really borrow from the Egyptians and never pay back?
The Hebrew word used here (sha'al) means 'to ask' or 'to request,' not 'to borrow' in the sense of a loan that must be repaid. The Egyptians gave the items freely because God gave the Israelites favor in their sight. It was not a deception but a fulfillment of God's promise (Genesis 15:14).
Why did God tell the Israelites to ask for silver, gold, and clothing?
God had promised Abraham that his descendants would come out of slavery with great wealth (Genesis 15:14). The silver, gold, and clothing were provisions for their journey into the wilderness and later used to build the Tabernacle (Exodus 35). It was also compensation for years of unpaid labor.
Is it okay to take money from people who have mistreated you?
This passage describes a unique moment in God's redemptive plan. It is not a general principle for personal disputes. The Israelites were not taking revenge; they were following a direct command from God, and the Egyptians gave willingly. Christians are called to forgive and trust God for justice (Romans 12:19), while also believing that God can provide in unexpected ways.
What does 'plundered the Egyptians' mean in Exodus 12:36?
The word 'plundered' describes the result of the Egyptians freely giving these items. It does not mean violent looting. God turned the hearts of the Egyptians to favor the Israelites, so they gave generously. The Israelites left with wealth, just as God had promised.
For pastors & researchers
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