Exodus 12 36

Exodus 12:36 kjv

And the LORD gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent unto them such things as they required. And they spoiled the Egyptians.

Exodus 12:36 nkjv

And the LORD had given the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they granted them what they requested. Thus they plundered the Egyptians.

Exodus 12:36 niv

The LORD had made the Egyptians favorably disposed toward the people, and they gave them what they asked for; so they plundered the Egyptians.

Exodus 12:36 esv

And the LORD had given the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they let them have what they asked. Thus they plundered the Egyptians.

Exodus 12:36 nlt

The LORD caused the Egyptians to look favorably on the Israelites, and they gave the Israelites whatever they asked for. So they stripped the Egyptians of their wealth!

Exodus 12 verses

Exodus 12 36 Meaning

The Lord sovereignly intervened to grant the Israelite people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, resulting in the Egyptians willingly providing them with requested valuables. This act amounted to the Israelites "spoiling" or plundering the Egyptians, serving as divine recompense for their long period of forced labor and fulfilling God's ancient promise to Abraham regarding his descendants' liberation with great possessions.

Exodus 12 36 Context

Exodus chapter 12 details the final, devastating plague upon Egypt: the death of the firstborn, averted by the observance of the Passover. This verse (Ex 12:36) occurs immediately after the ten plagues have utterly broken the will and power of Pharaoh and the Egyptians. Driven by terror and a desperate urgency to see the Israelites depart, the Egyptians were ready to do anything to expedite their exit, culminating in this transfer of wealth. The historical context roots deeply in God's prior covenantal promise to Abraham (Gen 15:13-14), assuring that his descendants, after experiencing affliction, would depart with great possessions. This event is not an act of Israelite avarice but a direct fulfillment of divine prophecy and a testament to God's sovereign power, demonstrating that the oppressor would be despoiled, and His people would leave slavery not as impoverished refugees, but enriched, equipped for their journey and future worship. It also served as a polemic against the supposed wealth and power of Egypt and its gods, showing Yahweh as the one true God who controls all things, including the hearts and possessions of men.

Exodus 12 36 Word analysis

• And the LORD gave: The Hebrew for "LORD" is Yahweh (`יהוה`), God's personal covenant name, underscoring His active, deliberate, and sovereign involvement. The verb `natan` (נָתַן) means "to give," "to put," or "to grant." This highlights divine agency; it was God Himself who enabled this outcome, not Israel's cunning or coercion alone.
• the people favour: The Hebrew term for "favour" is `chen` (חֵן), which denotes grace, unearned kindness, or goodwill. The Israelites did not earn this goodwill; it was divinely bestowed, influencing the Egyptians to respond favorably to their requests. It implies a significant shift in the Egyptians' perception, previously antagonistic.
• in the sight of the Egyptians: Literally, "in their eyes" (`b'einei Mitzrayim` - בְּעֵינֵי מִצְרָיִם). This phrase emphasizes public display and tangible recognition. The Egyptians (Hebrew: `Mitzrayim`, מִצְרַיִם), having witnessed the plagues and the death of their firstborn, were compelled by terror to see the Israelites in a different light. This was a visible, undeniable turning of the tide.
• so that they lent unto them: The Hebrew verb is `sha'al` (שָׁאַל). While `sha'al` can mean "to borrow" or "to lend," in this context and others like Ex 3:22, it strongly implies "to ask for," "to demand," or "to request." The Egyptians, eager for the Israelites to leave, did not loan items expecting repayment; they gave or acceded to requests as a form of appeasement to speed their departure and prevent further judgment. It signifies forced generosity due to overwhelming pressure from God.
• such things as they required: This phrase indicates that the Israelites asked for specific items. Previously, in Ex 3:22 and 11:2, they were instructed to ask for "jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment." This implies the requests were extensive and met, demonstrating the completeness of the Egyptians' capitulation.
• And they spoiled the Egyptians: The Hebrew verb `natsal` (נָצַל) carries meanings like "to snatch away," "to deliver," "to rescue," "to strip off," or "to plunder." In this context, it denotes stripping or plundering. It was not mere theft; rather, it was divine recompense or restitution for over four centuries of forced labor and oppression, a justified transfer of wealth by God's decree. This fulfilled the Abrahamic covenant and signified a complete reversal of power dynamics.

• "The LORD gave the people favour": This phrase highlights God's active, sovereign role in changing the Egyptians' disposition. It was a supernatural act, not a natural shift in human sentiment. This divine favor turned animosity into a willingness to cooperate under duress.
• "so that they lent unto them such things as they required": This describes the immediate consequence of God's favor. The Egyptians, paralyzed by fear and grief from the plagues, eagerly complied with Israel's demands for gold, silver, and clothing. This was an exchange, not a true loan, driven by Egyptian desperation to see the Israelites leave before all their firstborn died.
• "And they spoiled the Egyptians": This phrase summarizes the divine justice enacted. The act of "spoiling" (plundering, stripping) was a deliberate, God-ordained transfer of wealth. It represented the long-overdue payment for generations of servitude and served as a tangible sign of Israel's freedom and God's judgment on their oppressors. It underlines God's vindication of His people.

Exodus 12 36 Bonus section

This incident of the Israelites spoiling the Egyptians carries significant theological weight. It demonstrates God's sovereignty over the material wealth of the nations and His prerogative to redistribute it for His purposes, reinforcing the principle that all wealth ultimately belongs to Him (Hag 2:8). Furthermore, the wealth acquired from Egypt played a crucial role in funding the construction of the Tabernacle in the wilderness (Ex 35:22), indicating that the divine judgment on Egypt directly contributed to the establishment of the visible worship of Yahweh among His people. This transfer of wealth is also seen by some scholars as a type or foreshadowing of Christ's victory over the principalities and powers, stripping them of their authority and leading captivity captive, providing "spoils" (gifts) to His people (Eph 4:8, Col 2:15).

Exodus 12 36 Commentary

Exodus 12:36 encapsulates God's ultimate victory over Egypt and His faithfulness to His covenant promises. It signifies a profound divine reversal: the once enslaved and oppressed Israelite population departs Egypt, not empty-handed, but enriched by their former masters. This was explicitly God's doing, as "the LORD gave" them favor, manifesting His power not just through judgment but also through influencing the hearts of their oppressors. The Egyptians' willingness to provide goods stemmed from sheer terror and desperation, as they viewed the Israelites as a continued source of divine wrath if they remained. The act of "spoiling" (natsal) was therefore not simple theft, but rather divine recompense and righteous judgment. It functioned as overdue wages for centuries of uncompensated servitude and as a direct fulfillment of God's word to Abraham (Gen 15:14), ensuring Israel left slavery as a people liberated and equipped, symbolizing that God not only delivers His people but also provides for their journey and their future purpose, including the building of the Tabernacle later (Ex 25:3, 35:22).