Exodus 3:22
What does Exodus 3:22 mean?
A plain-English look at Exodus 3:22 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Exodus 3:22 means
God instructed that the Israelite women were to request valuables—"jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment"—from their Egyptian neighbors and those living in their homes. These treasures were not merely gifts but spoils, as the Israelites were to "despoil the Egyptians." This act served as a form of reparations for centuries of forced labor, demonstrating God's justice in compensating His oppressed people. These riches would later contribute to constructing the Tabernacle, linking this provision to future worship.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000But every woman shall ask of her neighbor, 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 despoil the Egyptians.
KJV
King James Version · 1611But 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901But every woman shall ask of her neighbor, 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 despoil the Egyptians.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949For every woman will get from her neighbour and from the woman living in her house, ornaments of silver and gold, and clothing; and you will put them on your sons and your daughters; you will take the best of their goods from the Egyptians.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and <FI>every<Fi> woman hath asked from her neighbour, and from her who is sojourning in her house, vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and garments, and ye have put <FI>them<Fi> on your sons and on your daughters, and have spoiled the Egyptians.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But every woman shall ask of her neighbour, and of her that is in her house, vessels of silver and of gold, and raiment: and you shall put them on your sons and daughters, and shall spoil Egypt.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890but every woman shall ask of her neighbour, and of her that is the inmate of her house, utensils of silver, and utensils of gold, and clothing; and ye shall put [them] on your sons and on your daughters, and shall spoil the Egyptians.
Context
This verse provides specific, practical instructions for how the Israelites will not go empty. It details the process of obtaining valuables from the Egyptians, directly expanding on the previous verse's promise of favor and provision. This practical command concludes God's detailed instructions for Moses's mission, covering both the confrontation with Pharaoh and the departure of the people.
v.21And I will give this people favor in the sight of the Egyptians: and it shall come to pass, that, when ye go, ye shall not go empty.
v.22This passage
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Exodus 11:2
Speak now in the ears of the people, and let them ask every man of his neighbor, and every woman of her neighbor, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold.
- Genesis 15:14
and also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance.
- Isaiah 33:1
Woe to thee that destroyest, and thou wast not destroyed; and dealest treacherously, and they dealt not treacherously with thee! When thou hast ceased to destroy, thou shalt be destroyed; and when thou hast made an end of dealing treacherously, they shall deal treacherously with thee.
- Psalms 105:37
And he brought them forth with silver and gold; And there was not one feeble person among his tribes.
- Exodus 12:35
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:
- Job 27:16
Though he heap up silver as the dust, And prepare raiment as the clay;
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