Exodus 12:35
“The children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they asked of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and clothing.”
What does Exodus 12:35 mean?
As the Israelites prepared to leave Egypt after the plagues, they asked their Egyptian neighbors for silver, gold, and clothing, and those neighbors actually gave these things to them. This wasn't theft or deception, but a remarkable shift in how the Egyptians viewed the people who had been enslaved among them. After witnessing the devastating plagues and recognizing God's power, the Egyptians were willing, even eager, to help the Israelites depart. What's striking here is that the Israelites didn't leave empty-handed or as refugees fleeing with nothing, but as people who were honored and blessed by those around them. This provision would later become important for their survival in the wilderness and for building the tabernacle when they reached Sinai.