Exodus 3:22

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Exodus 3:22 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “But 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.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

But 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.
Exodus 3:22 — American Standard Version

Context — Exodus 3

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
22But 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.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“But every woman shall borrow of her neighbour, and of her that sojourneth in her house, etc.] Or “shall ask” f127, desire them to give or lend, what follows; and by this it appears, that the Israelites by reason of their great increase were spread about, and mixed with the Egyptians; and hence it was that there was such a mixed multitude that went up with them out of Egypt, who either were in connection with them in civil things, or were proselyted by them: jewels of silver, and jewels of gold; that is, jewels set in silver and in gold; or “vessels of silver, and vessels of gold” f128, plate of both sorts, cups, dishes, etc: and raiment; rich and goodly apparel, which they might borrow to…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Shall borrow - shall ask. The Egyptians had made the people serve “with rigor,” and the Israelites when about to leave the country for ever were to ask or claim the jewels as a just, though very inadequate, remuneration for services which had made “their lives bitter.” The Egyptians would doubtless have refused had not their feelings toward Moses (see Exodus 11:3) and the people been changed, under God’s influence, by calamities in which they recognized a divine interposition, which also they rightly attributed to the obstinacy of their own king (see Exodus 10:7). The Hebrew women were to make the demand, and were to make it of women, who would of course be especially moved to compliance by…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Everywoman shall ask (not borrow!) jewels. And I will give this people favour in the sight of the Egyptians - God sometimes makes the enemies of his people not only to be at peace with them, but to be kind to them. And he has many ways of balancing accounts between the injured and the injurious, of righting the oppressed, and compelling those that have done wrong to make restitution. Next: Exodus Chapter 4”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“But: Exo 11:2, Exo 12:35, Exo 12:36; Gen 15:14; Psa 105:37 borrow: Or, rather ask or demand, as the word שׁאל \[Strong's H7592\] properly signifies; and is so rendered by the LXX, Vulgate, and Geneva and Barker's Bible. the other ancient versions are the same as the Hebrew. spoil: Job 27:16, Job 27:17; Pro 13:22; Isa 33:1; Eze 39:10 the Egyptians: or, Egypt Next: Exodus Chapter 4”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification