Exodus 11:2 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Speak now in the hearing of the people, that they ask, every man of his neighbor and every woman of her neighbor, for silver and gold jewelry."

NIV: Tell the people that men and women alike are to ask their neighbors for articles of silver and gold."

NASB: Speak now so that the people hear, that each man is to ask of his neighbor, and each woman of her neighbor, articles of silver and articles of gold.'

CSB: Now announce to the people that both men and women should ask their neighbors for silver and gold items."

NLT: Tell all the Israelite men and women to ask their Egyptian neighbors for articles of silver and gold.'

KJV: Speak now in the ears of the people, and let every man borrow of his neighbour, and every woman of her neighbour, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold.

NKJV: Speak now in the hearing of the people, and let every man ask from his neighbor and every woman from her neighbor, articles of silver and articles of gold.”

Prior passages do not record Moses speaking to the people of Israel about the plagues. When he and his brother first came to the elders of Israel (Exodus 4:29–31) they passed along God's promises. That included the idea that the Lord would use powerful signs to convince Egypt to release the people (Exodus 3:20; 4:21–23). Yet there are no records of Moses directly explaining an upcoming plague to his fellow Hebrews.

Here, Moses is told to prepare the Israelites for their departure by asking Egyptians for jewelry. This would give the people an easy form of wealth to carry as they traveled. After nine disasters, which defied the power of false Egyptian gods, the Egyptians will easily give up their valuables (Exodus 11:3; 12:35–36). Pharaoh's subjects were probably terrified of the power they associated with Moses and the God of the Hebrews. After the upcoming tragedy, these people will demand that their former slaves leave Egypt (Exodus 12:33).

Exodus 11:1–3 describes what Moses is to do once he leaves Pharaoh to speak with the Israelite people. There will be one final supernatural disaster against Egypt. This will do more than convince Pharaoh to release the people: the Egyptians will demand that the Hebrews leave. The Israelites are also to ask Egyptians for jewelry. They will do so with great success (Exodus 12:35–36). Moses' growing reputation partly explains the Egyptian response.

Immediately after being threatened by Pharaoh (Exodus 10:28–29), Moses is given more instructions from the Lord. He is to instruct the Israelites to ask Egyptians for jewelry. Recent events will have intimidated them enough to be generous. God also tells Moses to predict the last and worst plague: the death off all Egyptian firstborn. This will be the most terrible disaster of Egypt's entire history. It will also lead directly to Israelite freedom. Moses expresses this grim promise in furious anger but is reassured by God that this is all part of an expected plan.

Since the Lord sent Moses back into Egypt (Exodus 3—4), Pharoah has refused multiple commands to release the Hebrew slaves. This has brought nine epic disasters to his nation (Exodus 5—10). Most recently, Pharaoh has threatened to kill Moses if these discussions continue (Exodus 10:28–29). Moses hears instructions from the Lord which include a prediction about the last, and worst, of the plagues of Egypt. In the following chapter, God will establish the Passover and free the Israelites as Egypt mourns catastrophic losses (Exodus 12).

The book of Exodus establishes God's covenant relationship with the full-fledged nation of Israel. The descendants of Abraham prosper after settling in Egypt, only to be enslaved by a fearful, hateful Egyptian Pharaoh. God appoints Moses to lead the people out of this bondage. Moses serves as God's spokesman, as the Lord brings plagues and judgments on Egypt, leading to the release of Israel.

Accessed 4/18/2025 1:02:48 PM