The phrase “spoiled the Egyptians” in Exodus 12:36 refers to the Israelites asking the Egyptians for articles of silver, gold, and clothing as they were leaving Egypt after being enslaved for over 400 years. Here is the full verse:
And the people of Israel had also done as Moses told them, for they had asked the Egyptians for silver and gold jewelry and for clothing. The Lord had made the Egyptians favorably disposed toward the people, and they had given them what they asked for; so they plundered the Egyptians. (Exodus 12:35-36 ESV)
To understand this verse fully, we need to look at the background and context of the Exodus story:
Background of the Israelites in Egypt
The book of Exodus picks up where Genesis left off. Joseph had been sold into slavery by his brothers and ended up in Egypt. Through a series of events, Joseph became second in command to Pharaoh and helped Egypt survive a severe famine (Genesis 37-50). Joseph’s whole family, the Israelites, eventually moved to Egypt to escape the famine and settled there (Exodus 1:1-7).
Over time, the Israelites multiplied greatly in number and the new Pharaoh who came to power saw them as a threat (Exodus 1:8-11). So the Egyptians enslaved the Israelites and forced them to do hard labor, making their lives “bitter with hard service” (Exodus 1:14). The Israelites were slaves in Egypt for over 400 years (Acts 7:6) and cried out to God because of their suffering (Exodus 2:23-25).
God heard their cry and called Moses to go to Pharaoh and demand he let God’s people go (Exodus 3-6). Pharaoh refused over and over, so God sent 10 plagues on Egypt to show His power (Exodus 7-11). The final plague was the death of every firstborn son in Egypt, which finally convinced Pharaoh to let them go (Exodus 12:29-32).
The Exodus from Egypt
After enduring over 400 years of slavery and then seeing the miracles of the 10 plagues, the Israelites were finally free to leave Egypt. As they were leaving, God instructed them to ask their Egyptian neighbors for silver, gold, and clothing (Exodus 12:35-36). God had made the Egyptians “favorably disposed” towards them so that they gave generously to their requests.
Why did God tell the Israelites to ask for gold, silver, and clothing from the Egyptians? There are a few reasons scholars suggest:
- God was keeping His promise to Abraham hundreds of years earlier that his descendants would leave a foreign land with great possessions (Genesis 15:14).
- It was back wages for over 400 years of slave labor.
- God was displaying His sovereignty by making the Egyptians be generous against their own will.
- It was a fulfillment of Exodus 3:21-22 where God foretold they would plunder the Egyptians.
- The riches Displayed God’s provision for the construction of the tabernacle.
- The clothing and provisions were needed for their journey to the Promised Land.
Therefore, the phrase “plundered the Egyptians” does not refer to the Israelites deceiving the Egyptians or taking things illegally. Rather, God supernaturally disposed the Egyptians to give willingly and generously to their former slaves. The Egyptians gave items the Israelites needed and that God knew they deserved after years of unpaid forced labor.
Further Examination of Exodus 12:35-36
Let’s take a closer look at the key phrases in Exodus 12:35-36:
The people of Israel had also done as Moses told them, for they had asked the Egyptians for silver and gold jewelry and for clothing. The Lord had made the Egyptians favorably disposed toward the people, and they had given them what they asked for; so they plundered the Egyptians. (ESV)
“Had asked” – The Hebrew word here is sha’al, meaning “to inquire, borrow, beg, request.” The Israelites directly asked the Egyptians for these items as they were leaving Egypt. They did not steal them or take them secretly.
“Favorably disposed” – The phrase used is “gave them favor in the sight of.” This indicates supernatural divine intervention where God worked in the Egyptians’ hearts to make them willing to give generously.
“Given them” – The Egyptians willingly “granted their request” because God had disposed them to. The Egyptians were not exacted against their will.
“Plundered” – The Hebrew word natsal means to “strip off, spoil, deliver oneself.” In other words, the Egyptians “stripped themselves” of their belongs and gave them to the Israelites. God did not allow it to be a one-sided plundering.
Therefore, the text shows this was voluntary giving on the part of the Egyptians in response to requests from the Israelites. God sovereignly worked in the Egyptians hearts to not only let the Israelites go, but to send them off with abundant provisions.
Additional Biblical Support
There are a few other passages in the Bible that lend support to the voluntary nature of the Egyptians giving valuables to the departing Israelites:
And I will give this people favor in the sight of the Egyptians; and when you go, you shall not go empty, but each woman shall ask of her neighbor, and any woman who lives in her house, for silver and gold jewelry, and for clothing. You shall put them on your sons and on your daughters. So you shall plunder the Egyptians.” (Exodus 3:21–22 ESV)
This foreshadows that the Egyptians would give voluntarily when asked. It was God’s plan to have the Israelites ask for items and the Egyptians give in response.
Now the time that the people of Israel lived in Egypt was 430 years. At the end of 430 years, on that very day, all the hosts of the Lord went out from the land of Egypt. (Exodus 12:40–41 ESV)
The Israelites were in Egypt for over 400 years. The plundering was reasonable compensation for centuries of slave labor.
And the people of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand men on foot, besides women and children. A mixed multitude also went up with them, and very much livestock, both flocks and herds. (Exodus 12:37–38 ESV)
The gifts enabled the Israelites to have provisions for their journey including livestock, clothing, jewelry, etc.
For the Lord will pass through to strike the Egyptians, and when he sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the Lord will pass over the door and will not allow the destroyer to enter your houses to strike you. (Exodus 12:23 ESV)
The final plague was God’s judgment on Egypt’s sin. Therefore, giving provisions was likely the Egyptians’ attempt to make amends.
Therefore, the greater context of Scripture shows the plundering of the Egyptians was actually a voluntary, generous provision from God to supply the needs of His people after centuries of slavery and on the journey to the Promised Land.
Summary of Key Points
To summarize the key points regarding “plundered the Egyptians”:
- The Israelites had been slaves in Egypt for over 400 years.
- When freed from slavery, God instructed them to ask the Egyptians for silver, gold, and clothing.
- God supernaturally disposed the Egyptians to respond generously to their request.
- The Egyptians gave voluntarily as repayment for slavery and to aid the Israelites’ exodus.
- “Plundered” means the Egyptians generously stripped themselves of their belongs.
- Additional Bible verses reveal this was God’s provision for the journey.
- Therefore, the Egyptians gave willingly and generously when asked by the departing Israelites.
In summary, this phrase highlights God’s sovereignty and provision. After centuries of slavery, God arranged for the Israelites to walk out of Egypt with abundant provision through the voluntary gifts of silver, gold, and clothing from the Egyptians.
Overall, in the Exodus we see God miraculously delivering His people from slavery, judging the sin of the Egyptians, providing for the Israelites, and foreshadowing Christ’s greater deliverance centuries later. The plundering of the Egyptians was a part of God’s sovereign plan to redemptively display His power and supply the needs of His people.