Exodus 11:2
New International Version
Tell the people that men and women alike are to ask their neighbors for articles of silver and gold.”

New Living Translation
Tell all the Israelite men and women to ask their Egyptian neighbors for articles of silver and gold.”

English Standard Version
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.”

Berean Standard Bible
Now announce to the people that men and women alike should ask their neighbors for articles of silver and gold.”

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
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.”

New American Standard Bible
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.”

NASB 1995
“Speak now in the hearing of the people that each man ask from his neighbor and each woman from her neighbor for articles of silver and articles of gold.”

NASB 1977
“Speak now in the hearing of the people that each man ask from his neighbor and each woman from her neighbor for articles of silver and articles of gold.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Speak now in the hearing of the people so that each man may ask from his neighbor and each woman from her neighbor for articles of silver and articles of gold.”

Amplified Bible
Speak so that all of the people [of Israel] may hear, and tell every man to ask from his neighbor, and every woman to ask from her neighbor, articles of silver, and articles of gold.”

Christian Standard Bible
Now announce to the people that both men and women should ask their neighbors for silver and gold items.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Now announce to the people that both men and women should ask their neighbors for silver and gold jewelry.”

American Standard Version
Speak now in the ears of the people, and let them ask every man of his neighbor, and every woman of her neighbor, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold.

Contemporary English Version
Now go and tell my people to ask their Egyptian neighbors for gold and silver jewelry.

English Revised Version
Speak now in the ears of the people, and let them ask every man of his neighbour, and every woman of her neighbour, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Now announce to the people [of Israel] that each man and woman must ask the Egyptians for silver and gold jewelry."

Good News Translation
Now speak to the people of Israel and tell all of them to ask their neighbors for gold and silver jewelry."

International Standard Version
Tell the people that each man is to ask his neighbor and each woman her neighbor for articles of silver and gold."

Majority Standard Bible
Now announce to the people that men and women alike should ask their neighbors for articles of silver and gold.”

NET Bible
Instruct the people that each man and each woman is to request from his or her neighbor items of silver and gold."

New Heart English Bible
Speak now in the hearing of the people, and let them ask every man of his neighbor, and every woman of her neighbor, articles of silver and articles of gold, and clothing."

Webster's Bible Translation
Speak now in the ears of the people, and let every man borrow of his neighbor, and every woman of her neighbor, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold.

World English Bible
Speak now in the ears of the people, and let every man ask of his neighbor, and every woman of her neighbor, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
now speak in the ears of the people, and they ask—each man from his neighbor, and each woman from her neighbor—[for] vessels of silver and vessels of gold.”

Young's Literal Translation
speak, I pray thee, in the ears of the people, and they ask -- each man from his neighbour, and each woman from her neighbour, vessels of silver, and vessels of gold.'

Smith's Literal Translation
Speak now in the ears of the people; they shall ask each from his friend, and a woman from her friend, vessels of silver and vessels of gold.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Therefore thou shalt tell all the people that every man ask of his friend, and every woman of her neighbour, vessels of silver, and of gold.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Therefore, you will tell all the people to ask, a man of his friend, and a woman of her neighbor, for vessels of silver and of gold.

New American Bible
Instruct the people that every man is to ask his neighbor, and every woman her neighbor, for silver and gold articles and for clothing.

New Revised Standard Version
Tell the people that every man is to ask his neighbor and every woman is to ask her neighbor for objects of silver and gold.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Speak now in the presence of the people that they ask every man of his neighbor, and every woman of her neighbor, jewels of silver and jewels of gold.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And say before the people that they shall ask, each man from his neighbor, and a woman from her neighbor, an article of silver and an article of gold.”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Speak now in the ears of the people, and let them ask every man of his neighbour, and every woman of her neighbour, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Speak therefore secretly in the ears of the people, and let every one ask of his neighbour jewels of silver and gold, and raiment.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Plague on the Firstborn Foretold
1Then the LORD said to Moses, “I will bring upon Pharaoh and Egypt one more plague. After that, he will allow you to leave this place. And when he lets you go, he will drive you out completely. 2Now announce to the people that men and women alike should ask their neighbors for articles of silver and gold.” 3And the LORD gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover, Moses himself was highly regarded in Egypt by Pharaoh’s officials and by the people.…

Cross References
Genesis 15:14
But I will judge the nation they serve as slaves, and afterward they will depart with many possessions.

Exodus 3:21-22
And I will grant this people such favor in the sight of the Egyptians that when you leave, you will not go away empty-handed. / Every woman shall ask her neighbor and any woman staying in her house for silver and gold jewelry and clothing, and you will put them on your sons and daughters. So you will plunder the Egyptians.”

Exodus 12:35-36
Furthermore, the Israelites acted on Moses’ word and asked the Egyptians for articles of silver and gold, and for clothing. / And the LORD gave the people such favor in the sight of the Egyptians that they granted their request. In this way they plundered the Egyptians.

Deuteronomy 15:12-14
If a fellow Hebrew, a man or a woman, is sold to you and serves you six years, then in the seventh year you must set him free. / And when you release him, do not send him away empty-handed. / You are to furnish him liberally from your flock, your threshing floor, and your winepress. You shall give to him as the LORD your God has blessed you.

Psalm 105:37
He brought Israel out with silver and gold, and none among His tribes stumbled.

Proverbs 13:22
A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the sinner’s wealth is passed to the righteous.

Isaiah 60:5-6
Then you will look and be radiant, and your heart will tremble and swell with joy, because the riches of the sea will be brought to you, and the wealth of the nations will come to you. / Caravans of camels will cover your land, young camels of Midian and Ephah, and all from Sheba will come, bearing gold and frankincense and proclaiming the praises of the LORD.

Isaiah 61:6
But you will be called the priests of the LORD; they will speak of you as ministers of our God; you will feed on the wealth of nations, and you will boast in their riches.

Ezekiel 39:10
They will not gather wood from the countryside or cut it from the forests, for they will use the weapons for fuel. They will loot those who looted them and plunder those who plundered them, declares the Lord GOD.

Zechariah 14:14
Judah will also fight at Jerusalem, and the wealth of all the surrounding nations will be collected—gold, silver, and apparel in great abundance.

Acts 7:6-7
God told him that his descendants would be foreigners in a strange land, and that they would be enslaved and mistreated four hundred years. / ‘But I will punish the nation that enslaves them,’ God said, ‘and afterward they will come forth and worship Me in this place.’

Acts 13:17
The God of the people of Israel chose our fathers. He made them into a great people during their stay in Egypt, and with an uplifted arm He led them out of that land.

Romans 9:17
For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display My power in you, and that My name might be proclaimed in all the earth.”

2 Corinthians 8:9
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.

Hebrews 11:26
He valued disgrace for Christ above the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to his reward.


Treasury of Scripture

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

borrow

Exodus 3:22
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.

Exodus 12:1,2,35,36
And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying, …

Genesis 31:9
Thus God hath taken away the cattle of your father, and given them to me.

jewels

Exodus 32:2-4,24
And Aaron said unto them, Break off the golden earrings, which are in the ears of your wives, of your sons, and of your daughters, and bring them unto me…

Exodus 35:22
And they came, both men and women, as many as were willing hearted, and brought bracelets, and earrings, and rings, and tablets, all jewels of gold: and every man that offered offered an offering of gold unto the LORD.

Ezekiel 16:10-13
I clothed thee also with broidered work, and shod thee with badgers' skin, and I girded thee about with fine linen, and I covered thee with silk…

Jump to Previous
Alike Articles Borrow Ears Gold Hearing Jewelry Jewels Neighbor Neighbors Neighbour Orders Ornaments Silver Speak Utensils Vessels Women
Jump to Next
Alike Articles Borrow Ears Gold Hearing Jewelry Jewels Neighbor Neighbors Neighbour Orders Ornaments Silver Speak Utensils Vessels Women
Exodus 11
1. God's message to the Israelites to borrow jewels of their neighbors
4. Moses threatens Pharaoh with the death the firstborn














Tell the people
This phrase indicates a direct command from God to Moses, emphasizing the importance of communication between God and His chosen leader, and then from the leader to the people. The Hebrew root for "tell" is "דָּבַר" (dabar), which means to speak or declare. This highlights the authoritative nature of God's instructions and the responsibility of Moses to convey God's will accurately. Historically, this reflects the theocratic leadership structure where God directly guides His people through appointed leaders.

that men and women alike
This phrase underscores the inclusivity of God's instructions, involving both genders equally in the forthcoming action. In the cultural context of ancient Egypt and Israel, this is significant as it demonstrates the communal aspect of the Israelites' society and God's concern for all His people, regardless of gender. The Hebrew words used here, "אִישׁ" (ish) for man and "אִשָּׁה" (ishah) for woman, emphasize the collective participation in God's plan.

are to ask their neighbors
The act of asking neighbors suggests a peaceful and respectful approach to acquiring goods. The Hebrew word "שָׁאַל" (sha'al) means to inquire or request, indicating a non-coercive action. This reflects the ethical standards God sets for His people, even in the context of their liberation from oppression. Historically, this also shows the relationship between the Israelites and Egyptians, where despite the plagues, there remained a level of interaction and communication.

for articles of silver and gold
Silver and gold were valuable commodities in ancient times, often used as currency or for crafting items of significance. The Hebrew words "כֶּסֶף" (kesef) for silver and "זָהָב" (zahav) for gold highlight the wealth and resources that God intended for the Israelites to take with them. This request is not merely for material gain but serves a greater purpose in God's plan, as these materials would later be used in the construction of the Tabernacle. Archaeologically, findings of silver and gold artifacts from this period corroborate the historical wealth of Egypt, making this request plausible and significant.

(2) Let every man borrow.--See the comment on Exodus 3:22. The directions to "ask" the Egyptians for presents is extended here from the women alone to both women and men. Egyptian obduracy and Israelitish loss through some of the plagues may have caused the enlargement of the original instruction.

Verse 2. - Every man... every woman. In Exodus 3:22 only women had been mentioned. Now the terms of the direction were enlarged. It is worthy of notice that gold and silver ornaments - ear-rings, collars, armlets, bracelets, and anklets, were worn almost as much by the Egyptian men of the Rameside period as by the women. Borrow. On this faulty translation, see the comment on Exodus 3:22. Jewels. Literally, "articles." The word is one of a very wide meaning, and might include drinking-cups and other vessels; but from the statement in Exodus 3:22, that they were to "put them on their sons and on their daughters" it is clear that personal ornaments are especially meant.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Now
נָ֖א (nā)
Interjection
Strong's 4994: I pray', 'now', 'then'

announce
דַּבֶּר־ (dab·ber-)
Verb - Piel - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue

to the people
הָעָ֑ם (hā·‘ām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

that men
אִ֣ישׁ ׀ (’îš)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

and women alike
וְאִשָּׁה֙ (wə·’iš·šāh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 802: Woman, wife, female

should ask their neighbors
רְעוּתָ֔הּ (rə·‘ū·ṯāh)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 7468: A female associate, an additional one

for
וְיִשְׁאֲל֞וּ (wə·yiš·’ă·lū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 7592: To inquire, to request, to demand

articles
כְּלֵי־ (kə·lê-)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 3627: Something prepared, any apparatus

of silver
כֶ֖סֶף (ḵe·sep̄)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3701: Silver, money

and gold.”
זָהָֽב׃ (zā·hāḇ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2091: Gold, something gold-colored, as oil, a clear sky


Links
Exodus 11:2 NIV
Exodus 11:2 NLT
Exodus 11:2 ESV
Exodus 11:2 NASB
Exodus 11:2 KJV

Exodus 11:2 BibleApps.com
Exodus 11:2 Biblia Paralela
Exodus 11:2 Chinese Bible
Exodus 11:2 French Bible
Exodus 11:2 Catholic Bible

OT Law: Exodus 11:2 Speak now in the ears (Exo. Ex)
Exodus 11:1
Top of Page
Top of Page