Exodus 11:2 - Speak now in the ears of the people, and let every man ask of his neighbor, and every woman of her neighbor, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold.”
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What does "Exodus 11:2" mean?
This verse from Exodus 11:2 is part of God's instructions to Moses as he prepares to bring the final plague upon Egypt - the death of the firstborn. It's a seemingly unusual command, and understanding its meaning requires considering the context:
Context: God is telling Moses that one final plague will convince Pharaoh to let the Israelites go. Before this plague, God instructs Moses to tell the Israelites to ask their Egyptian neighbors for "jewels of silver and jewels of gold."
Meaning and Interpretations:
Compensation for Labor: A common interpretation is that this request for jewels is a form of compensation for the many years of unpaid labor and enslavement that the Israelites endured in Egypt. It's seen as a way of righting a wrong and providing the Israelites with some wealth as they leave.
Spoils of War (Peaceful Version): While not a war in the traditional sense, the Exodus can be seen as a battle between God and Pharaoh. In ancient times, victors often took spoils from the vanquished. In this case, the "spoils" are given freely, highlighting God's power and the Egyptians' fear and desperation to be rid of the Israelites.
Divine Provision: Some interpret this as God providing for the Israelites' needs as they embark on their journey. The jewels would give them resources to build their new life in the wilderness.
Humbling Egypt: The request can also be seen as a final humiliation for Egypt, forcing them to give freely to the people they had enslaved. It demonstrates God's power and his ability to turn the tables on the oppressors.
Testing the Egyptians: The verse from Exodus 3:22, before they even went to Egypt, speaks about this event, so it could be to see if they would comply or reject the request.
Important Considerations:
"Ask" vs. "Demand": The Hebrew word used in the verse can be translated as "ask" or "request," not "demand." The Egyptians gave willingly, likely out of fear and a desire to appease the Israelites and avoid further plagues.
Ethical Concerns: Some critics raise ethical concerns about this command, questioning whether it was right for God to instruct the Israelites to ask for or take valuables from the Egyptians. However, proponents of the interpretations above argue that it was a just recompense for the years of slavery and suffering.
In summary, the verse from Exodus 11:2 is interpreted in various ways, with the most common understanding being that it was a form of compensation for the Israelites' years of forced labor and a demonstration of God's power and provision as they prepared to leave Egypt.
Exodus 11:2 - Speak now in the ears of the people, and let every man ask of his neighbor, and every woman of her neighbor, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold.”
What does "Exodus 11:2" mean?
This verse from Exodus 11:2 is part of God's instructions to Moses as he prepares to bring the final plague upon Egypt - the death of the firstborn. It's a seemingly unusual command, and understanding its meaning requires considering the context:
Context: God is telling Moses that one final plague will convince Pharaoh to let the Israelites go. Before this plague, God instructs Moses to tell the Israelites to ask their Egyptian neighbors for "jewels of silver and jewels of gold."
Meaning and Interpretations:
Compensation for Labor: A common interpretation is that this request for jewels is a form of compensation for the many years of unpaid labor and enslavement that the Israelites endured in Egypt. It's seen as a way of righting a wrong and providing the Israelites with some wealth as they leave.
Spoils of War (Peaceful Version): While not a war in the traditional sense, the Exodus can be seen as a battle between God and Pharaoh. In ancient times, victors often took spoils from the vanquished. In this case, the "spoils" are given freely, highlighting God's power and the Egyptians' fear and desperation to be rid of the Israelites.
Divine Provision: Some interpret this as God providing for the Israelites' needs as they embark on their journey. The jewels would give them resources to build their new life in the wilderness.
Humbling Egypt: The request can also be seen as a final humiliation for Egypt, forcing them to give freely to the people they had enslaved. It demonstrates God's power and his ability to turn the tables on the oppressors.
Testing the Egyptians: The verse from Exodus 3:22, before they even went to Egypt, speaks about this event, so it could be to see if they would comply or reject the request.
Important Considerations:
"Ask" vs. "Demand": The Hebrew word used in the verse can be translated as "ask" or "request," not "demand." The Egyptians gave willingly, likely out of fear and a desire to appease the Israelites and avoid further plagues.
Ethical Concerns: Some critics raise ethical concerns about this command, questioning whether it was right for God to instruct the Israelites to ask for or take valuables from the Egyptians. However, proponents of the interpretations above argue that it was a just recompense for the years of slavery and suffering.
In summary, the verse from Exodus 11:2 is interpreted in various ways, with the most common understanding being that it was a form of compensation for the Israelites' years of forced labor and a demonstration of God's power and provision as they prepared to leave Egypt.