When the Israelites were leaving Egypt on the exodus, they
"did as Moses instructed and asked the Egyptians for articles of silver and gold and for clothing. The Lord had made the Egyptians favorably disposed toward the people, and they gave them what they asked for; so they plundered the Egyptians" (Exod 12:35-36).
This seemingly small detail receives quite a bit of emphasis in the Bible. Before it happens, there are three announcements that it will happen, in Gen 15:14, Exod 3:21-22, and Exod 11:2.
It's also foreshadowed by events that anticipate the Exodus and alluded to in later biblical events. For example,
- After Abram and Sarai take refuge in Egypt during a famine, they leave with substantial assets (Gen 12:10-20).
- Two generations later, Jacob flees Paddan-Aram with sizeable flocks and Laban's household gods (Gen 31:17-19).
- When the Philistines capture the ark of the covenant, they soon set it free with golden treasure (1 Sam 6:8,11).
- When Jews return to Judea from exile in Babylon, King Cyrus gives them gold and silver vessels that Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the Temple in Jerusalem (Ezra 1:7-11).
- The prophets envision a future exodus from exile when those who afflict Israel "shall become...
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