Exodus 11:2

“Speak now in the ears of the people, etc.] 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 neighbour, and every woman of her neighbour, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold; to ornament themselves with at the feast they were going to keep: the Samaritan and Septuagint versions add, and clothing or raiment, and such it is certain they did borrow, (<021235>Exodus 12:35) or vessels f308 of different forms, made of gold and silver, such as were fit and proper to…”

“Speak now in the ears of the people--These verses, describing the communication which had been made in private to Moses, are inserted here as a parenthesis, and will be considered (Exo 12:35).”

“Every man - In Exodus 3:22 only women were named; the command is more explicit when the time has come for its execution. Borrow - “ask.” See Exodus 3:22 note. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Let every man ask (not borrow!) of his neighbour jewels - This was the last day of their servitude, when they were to go away, and their masters, who had abused them in their work, would now have defrauded them of their wages, and have sent them away empty, and the poor Israelites were so fond of liberty that they themselves would be satisfied with that, without pay: but he that executeth righteousness and judgment for the oppressed, provided that the labourers should not lose their hire. God ordered them to demand it now at their departure, in jewels of silver, and jewels of gold; to prepare for which, God had now made the Egyptians as willing to part with them upon any terms, as before the…”

“borrow: Exo 3:22, Exo 12:1, Exo 12:2, Exo 12:35, Exo 12:36; Gen 31:9; Job 27:16, Job 27:17; Psa 24:1, Psa 105:37; Pro 13:22; Hag 2:8; Mat 20:15 jewels: Exo 32:2-4, Exo 32:24, Exo 35:22; Eze 16:10-13 Exodus 11:3”

“In this way Jehovah would overcome the resistance of Pharaoh; and even more than that, for Moses was to tell the people to ask the Egyptians for articles of silver and gold, for Jehovah would make them willing to give. The renown acquired by Moses through his miracles in Egypt would also contribute to this. (For the discussion of this subject, see Exo 3:21-22.) The communication of these instructions to the people is not expressly mentioned; but it is referred to in Exo 12:35-36, as having taken place. Exodus 11:4”