Definition: But every woman shall borrow of her neighbour, 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 spoil the Egyptians.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Exodus 3:22. It's a really important passage about how the Israelites were to be treated by the Egyptians they were making a deal with. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse is saying that the Israelites, while living in Egypt, would be allowed to keep some valuable possessions – jewelry, gold, and silver – from their neighbors and those who were visiting their homes. Let's unpack it piece by piece: “But every woman shall borrow of her neighbour…” This means that women – and anyone else – could take a small amount of these treasures from other people. “…and of her that sojourneth in her house…” This is a bit more nuanced. It suggests that if someone was visiting their home, they could also take some items. “Jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment…” These are the key things being allowed. “Raimber” means clothing and adornment – jewelry, necklaces, bracelets, rings, etc. “Raimber” is a huge deal here as it’s what made the Israelites look beautiful and show off their wealth. “Ye shall put [them] upon your sons, and upon your daughters…” This is where it gets interesting. The Egyptians were allowed to keep these items for their own use . They would allow the Israelites to have them as a sign of their hospitality and respect. “…and ye shall spoil the Egyptians.” This is the crucial part. It's saying that the Israelites are obligated to share this wealth with the Egyptians. They're essentially giving it away as a gesture of goodwill and showing they’re not trying to exploit them. It’s a way of demonstrating respect and creating a positive relationship. The Significance & Context: This verse is part of a larger story about God’s plan to free the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. It highlights God's desire to be merciful and show kindness, even to those who are oppressors. It shows a shift in perspective – moving away from being solely focused on Israel’s suffering towards building a relationship with God. In short, it’s a blessing that God would allow the Israelites to have some small gifts as a sign of respect and goodwill, while also demonstrating his care for them. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse in more detail? Discuss its historical significance? Compare it to other similar passages in the Bible?