Exodus 3:22 — How Could an All-Loving God Command the Hebrews to Plunder the Egyptians of Their Riches?

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Exodus 3:22 states, “Every woman shall ask of her neighbor and the woman who lives in her house, articles of silver and gold jewelry, and clothing; and you shall put them on your sons and on your daughters. So you will plunder the Egyptians.” At first glance, the directive appears to conflict with the attribute of an all-loving and just God, seemingly endorsing what could be viewed as theft. However, when interpreted through the lens of the Historical-Grammatical method and within the full context of redemptive history, the text reveals itself as consistent with the justice, mercy, and love of Jehovah.

Historical Context: Oppression and Unjust Enrichment

The Israelites had lived in Egypt for over 400 years, including at least two centuries of brutal oppression and forced servitude under the Egyptian state (Exodus 1:8-14). They were systematically enslaved, dehumanized, and subjected to cruel labor conditions without compensation. Jehovah Himself describes their condition as one of extreme affliction and suffering (Exodus 3:7).

Image illustrating Exodus 3:22, showing the Hebrew women leaving Egypt with treasures.

The wealth of Egypt was, in part, accumulated through the exploitation of Israelite labor. The economic gain Egypt enjoyed was unjust enrichment by any reasonable standard. Therefore, the materials given by the Egyptians at the departure of Israel were not arbitrary spoils of war but rather a form of just compensation for centuries of unpaid toil.

The Command as Divine Recompense

Genesis 15:13-14 records Jehovah’s foretelling to Abraham: “Know for certain that your offspring will be sojourners in a land that is not theirs and will be servants there, and they will be afflicted for four hundred years. But I will bring judgment on the nation that they serve, and afterward they shall come out with great possessions.” This command was the fulfillment of that divine promise.

The term “plunder” used in Exodus 3:22 and Exodus 12:36 must be understood in its theological and covenantal setting. It was not taken by force. Exodus 12:35-36 (UASV) explains, “Jehovah had given the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they let them have what they asked.” The voluntary nature of the giving is essential. The Egyptians, terrified by the plagues and recognizing Jehovah’s power, willingly gave the Israelites gifts.

Legal and Ethical Considerations

From the standpoint of divine justice, Jehovah was not commanding theft. Rather, He ordained the restitution of wealth that was morally owed. Unlike theft, which is taking something unlawfully, this was an act of divinely sanctioned justice designed to compensate the oppressed for what had been wrongly withheld. Modern legal systems recognize and enforce similar principles of restitution for victims of exploitation.

Additionally, the Israelites were instructed to ask (Hebrew: sha’al), not seize by force. The Egyptian willingness to give demonstrates a recognition of moral obligation, even if motivated by fear.

Theological Significance and Sovereign Providence

Jehovah’s command also served to demonstrate His sovereign control over nations and rulers. By causing the Egyptians to willingly relinquish their wealth, Jehovah displayed His power to subdue oppressors and vindicate His people without military conflict. This act of recompense prepared Israel materially for their journey and for the construction of the Tabernacle (Exodus 25:1-8), which required gold, silver, and fine materials.

It also symbolized a moral restoration. Slavery had reduced the Israelites to poverty and humiliation. By departing Egypt as a people enriched by their oppressors, Jehovah was restoring dignity and demonstrating His faithfulness to His covenant promises.

God’s Active and Righteous Love

The modern misunderstanding of this text often stems from an incomplete grasp of biblical love. Jehovah’s love is not permissive or passive. Divine love works through justice. Jehovah’s character is consistently portrayed as both loving and just (Exodus 34:6-7). His love is displayed in liberating the oppressed, providing for their needs, and rectifying past injustices.

In commanding this act, Jehovah demonstrated His loyalty to His covenant people by providing for their material well-being while simultaneously holding the oppressors accountable in a manner that satisfied both justice and mercy.

Further Rational Consideration

An additional rational observation is that the Egyptians’ voluntary surrender of wealth not only fulfilled a prophetic word but also effectively functioned as reparations. The Israelites had no legal recourse under Egyptian law. The only possible path for just recompense came through divine intervention. Thus, Jehovah acted as the ultimate just judge, rectifying human injustice by means that still respected human volition.

Conclusion

Exodus 3:22 does not depict arbitrary plunder by divine command, nor does it conflict with Jehovah’s loving nature. It presents a righteous and calculated act of divine justice in which restitution was made for centuries of systemic abuse and enslavement. The wealth was obtained through lawful request and voluntary giving, orchestrated by Jehovah to fulfill His promises and to provide for His people. This account, when interpreted accurately, harmonizes perfectly with the character of Jehovah as revealed throughout Scripture: a God of justice, mercy, love, and perfect moral order.

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About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).