The Claim:
ROBBERY COMMANDED.
When ye go, ye shall not go empty; but every woman shall borrow of her neighbor, 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 EgyptiansEgyptians are the people of ancient Egypt — a powerful civilization along the Nile known in Scripture as both neighbors and oppressors of Israel. They symbolize strength, idolatry, refuge, and judgment depending on the biblical context. More. (, 22.)
And they borrowed of the EgyptiansEgyptians are the people of ancient Egypt — a powerful civilization along the Nile known in Scripture as both neighbors and oppressors of Israel. They symbolize strength, idolatry, refuge, and judgment depending on the biblical context. More jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment. . . . And they spoiled the EgyptiansEgyptians are the people of ancient Egypt — a powerful civilization along the Nile known in Scripture as both neighbors and oppressors of Israel. They symbolize strength, idolatry, refuge, and judgment depending on the biblical context. More. (, 36).
ROBBERY FORBIDDEN.
Thou shalt not defraud thy neighbor, neither rob him. (.)
Thou shalt not steal. (.)
Truth With Proof:
1. Scriptural Ledger & Textual Verification
To adhere to our mandate () while respecting copyright parameters, I will provide the full public-domain King James Version (KJV) text, followed by an accurate, original summary of the modern translation’s meaning (the NIV) to capture the linguistic intent.
Passage A: The Wealth of Egypt Transferred
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KJV (v. 21): “And I will give this people favour in the sight of the EgyptiansEgyptians are the people of ancient Egypt — a powerful civilization along the Nile known in Scripture as both neighbors and oppressors of Israel. They symbolize strength, idolatry, refuge, and judgment depending on the biblical context. More: and it shall come to pass, that, when ye go, ye shall not go empty:”
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KJV (v. 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 EgyptiansEgyptians are the people of ancient Egypt — a powerful civilization along the Nile known in Scripture as both neighbors and oppressors of Israel. They symbolize strength, idolatry, refuge, and judgment depending on the biblical context. More.”
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Modern Translation Summary: God promises that the Israelites will not leave empty-handed. Every woman is instructed to ask or request articles of silver, gold, and clothing from her Egyptian neighbors. In doing so, they will plunder the EgyptiansEgyptians are the people of ancient Egypt — a powerful civilization along the Nile known in Scripture as both neighbors and oppressors of Israel. They symbolize strength, idolatry, refuge, and judgment depending on the biblical context. More.
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KJV (v. 35): “And the children of IsraelIsrael is the covenant people chosen by Yahweh, descended from Jacob, set apart to bear God’s name, receive His promises, and reveal His character to the nations. More did according to the word of MosesMoses was the great prophet, lawgiver, and leader chosen by God to deliver the children of Israel from slavery in Egypt. Through Moses, God gave the Law, established the Old Covenant, and instructed the construction of the Tabernacle. More than any other figure in the Old Testament, Moses serves as a picture of God's deliverance, mediation, and faithfulness to His... More; and they borrowed of the EgyptiansEgyptians are the people of ancient Egypt — a powerful civilization along the Nile known in Scripture as both neighbors and oppressors of Israel. They symbolize strength, idolatry, refuge, and judgment depending on the biblical context. More jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment:”
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KJV (v. 36): “And the LORD gave the people favour in the sight of the EgyptiansEgyptians are the people of ancient Egypt — a powerful civilization along the Nile known in Scripture as both neighbors and oppressors of Israel. They symbolize strength, idolatry, refuge, and judgment depending on the biblical context. More, so that they lent unto them such things as they required. And they spoiled the EgyptiansEgyptians are the people of ancient Egypt — a powerful civilization along the Nile known in Scripture as both neighbors and oppressors of Israel. They symbolize strength, idolatry, refuge, and judgment depending on the biblical context. More.”
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Modern Translation Summary: The Israelites followed instructions and asked the EgyptiansEgyptians are the people of ancient Egypt — a powerful civilization along the Nile known in Scripture as both neighbors and oppressors of Israel. They symbolize strength, idolatry, refuge, and judgment depending on the biblical context. More for gold, silver, and clothing. The Lord made the EgyptiansEgyptians are the people of ancient Egypt — a powerful civilization along the Nile known in Scripture as both neighbors and oppressors of Israel. They symbolize strength, idolatry, refuge, and judgment depending on the biblical context. More favorably disposed toward them, so the EgyptiansEgyptians are the people of ancient Egypt — a powerful civilization along the Nile known in Scripture as both neighbors and oppressors of Israel. They symbolize strength, idolatry, refuge, and judgment depending on the biblical context. More gave them whatever they requested, thus plundering EgyptEgypt is the powerful ancient civilization along the Nile that appears throughout Scripture as a place of refuge, oppression, and divine deliverance. It is central to the stories of Joseph, Moses, the Exodus, and later prophecies, symbolizing both worldly strength and the need for God’s redemption (Genesis 37–50; Exodus 1–14). More.
Passage B: The Moral Law Against Theft
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KJV: “Thou shalt not steal.”
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KJV: “Thou shalt not defraud thy neighbour, neither rob him: the wages of him that is hired shall not abide with thee all night until the morning.”
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Modern Translation Summary: You must not defraud or rob your neighbor, nor hold back the wages of a hired worker overnight.
2. High-Level Pattern Recognition: Criminal Theft vs. Judicial Restitution
The surface contradiction relies on the English word “borrow” (implying a deceitful loan with no intent to repay) and the word “spoil” (implying armed robbery). However, when viewed through the lens of Ancient Near Eastern jurisprudenceJurisprudence is the study and application of law — its principles, foundations, reasoning, and moral framework. In biblical theology, it refers to God’s own system of justice, the divine logic behind His commands, judgments, and covenant order. More and the divine court, a completely different pattern emerges:
┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ CRIMINAL ACT VS. JUDICIAL REPARATIONS │
├───────────────────────────────────┬────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ EXODUS 20:15 / LEVITICUS 19:13 │ EXODUS 3:22 & 12:35–36 │
├───────────────────────────────────┼────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ • Definition: Secretly or │ • Definition: Open, legal transfer of wealth │
│ violently taking what legally │ authorized by the Supreme Judge. │
│ belongs to another. │ • Context: Israel had been subjected to centuries │
│ • Motivation: Greed, malice. │ of brutal, unpaid slave labor. │
│ • Legal Status: A crime against │ • Legal Status: Payment of back-wages and │
│ God and neighbor. │ reparations. A legal settlement before departure.│
└───────────────────────────────────┴────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Notice the exact wording of : “the wages of him that is hired shall not abide with thee all night.” EgyptEgypt is the powerful ancient civilization along the Nile that appears throughout Scripture as a place of refuge, oppression, and divine deliverance. It is central to the stories of Joseph, Moses, the Exodus, and later prophecies, symbolizing both worldly strength and the need for God’s redemption (Genesis 37–50; Exodus 1–14). More had withheld the wages of IsraelIsrael is the covenant people chosen by Yahweh, descended from Jacob, set apart to bear God’s name, receive His promises, and reveal His character to the nations. More for generations. The wealth transferred at the Exodus was God enforcing His own law from upon the Egyptian empire.
3. Linguistic Precision: The Hebrew Root Words
The contradiction evaporates entirely when we examine the original HebrewHebrew is the ancient language of the people of Israel and the primary language in which most of the Old Testament was originally written. As a member of the Northwest Semitic language family, Hebrew contains rich layers of meaning that provide deeper insight into Scripture, biblical names, prophecy, covenant theology, and God's revelation to His people. More verbs. The 1611 KJV translators used the English word “borrow,” which in the 17th century could simply mean “to request,” but today implies a temporary loan.
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The Word for “Borrow”: Sha’al (שָׁאַל)
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Strong’s H7592: To ask, inquire, request, or demand.
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Proof: In , God the Father says to the Son, “Ask [sha’al] of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance.” The Son is not “borrowing” the heathen; He is requesting His rightful inheritance. The Israelites did not trick the EgyptiansEgyptians are the people of ancient Egypt — a powerful civilization along the Nile known in Scripture as both neighbors and oppressors of Israel. They symbolize strength, idolatry, refuge, and judgment depending on the biblical context. More into a loan; they openly demanded their severance pay.
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The Word for “Lent”: Nathan (נָתַן)
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Strong’s H5414: To give, bestow, grant, or yield.
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In , the EgyptiansEgyptians are the people of ancient Egypt — a powerful civilization along the Nile known in Scripture as both neighbors and oppressors of Israel. They symbolize strength, idolatry, refuge, and judgment depending on the biblical context. More didn’t “lend” (lawah) the gold; they gave (nathan) it, effectively saying, “Take it and leave before we all die!” ().
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The Word for “Steal”: Ganab (גָּנַב)
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Strong’s H1589: To thieve, steal secretly, carry away by stealth.
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This is the word used in the Eighth Commandment ().
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The Word for “Rob/Spoil”: Natsal (נָצַל)
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Strong’s H5337: To snatch away, deliver, recover, or rescue. They recovered the wealth that had been extracted from their own sweat and blood.
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4. Ancient Scriptural Witnesses: The Book of Jubilees
The ancient historical record from the Second TempleThe Second Temple was the restored sanctuary in Jerusalem built after the Babylonian exile. Standing from 516 BC to AD 70, it became the center of Jewish worship, identity, Scripture formation, and Messianic expectation — the world into which Jesus was born. More period explicitly addresses the legality of this wealth transfer, proving this was not viewed as a contradiction by early Hebrews, but as a just legal settlement.
JubileesJubilees is an ancient Jewish religious work, sometimes called The Little Genesis, that retells the events of Genesis and part of Exodus while emphasizing divine chronology, covenant faithfulness, angelic involvement, and obedience to God's laws. Though not included in most biblical canons, Jubilees preserves important historical traditions that provide insight into Second Temple Jewish beliefs and biblical interpretation. More 48:18 (The Settlement of Accounts)
“And the children of IsraelIsrael is the covenant people chosen by Yahweh, descended from Jacob, set apart to bear God’s name, receive His promises, and reveal His character to the nations. More asked from the EgyptiansEgyptians are the people of ancient Egypt — a powerful civilization along the Nile known in Scripture as both neighbors and oppressors of Israel. They symbolize strength, idolatry, refuge, and judgment depending on the biblical context. More receptacles and garments of silver and gold… in order that they might despoil the EgyptiansEgyptians are the people of ancient Egypt — a powerful civilization along the Nile known in Scripture as both neighbors and oppressors of Israel. They symbolize strength, idolatry, refuge, and judgment depending on the biblical context. More in return for the bondage in which they had forced them to serve.”
The ancient witness confirms the legal framework: this was a judicial extraction of wealth “in return for the bondage.” It was not theft; it was a court-ordered garnishment of Egypt’s national treasury.
5. The Master Chronological Engine: Gate 1 (Early Spring)
Let us map this event to the unbending 6,000-year timeline:
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Year of the Exodus: 1446 BC (2518 AM).
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The Seasonal Gate: Gate 1 — Increasing Light (Early Spring).
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The Exodus occurred on the 15th day of the first month (Aviv/Nisan).
God executes His great deliverances in harmony with His physical creation. Just as the physical sun begins to break the darkness of winter (Gate 1 – Spring Equinox), the Supreme Judge broke the chains of Egyptian bondage, balancing the scales of justice and bringing His people into the light of freedom, fully compensated.
6. Memory Tool: The S-P-O-I-L Framework
To quickly remember and present the Berean resolution to this alleged paradox, use the S-P-O-I-L memory anchor:
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S — Sha’al means “To Ask”: The HebrewHebrew is the ancient language of the people of Israel and the primary language in which most of the Old Testament was originally written. As a member of the Northwest Semitic language family, Hebrew contains rich layers of meaning that provide deeper insight into Scripture, biblical names, prophecy, covenant theology, and God's revelation to His people. More word means to request or demand, not to borrow with false intent to return.
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P — Payment of Back-Wages: prohibits withholding wages. The gold was retroactive payment for centuries of slave labor.
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O — Open Transfer: Theft (ganab) is done in secret. This transfer was done openly with the EgyptiansEgyptians are the people of ancient Egypt — a powerful civilization along the Nile known in Scripture as both neighbors and oppressors of Israel. They symbolize strength, idolatry, refuge, and judgment depending on the biblical context. More willingly handing over the wealth (nathan).
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I — Imperial Garnishment: God, as the Supreme Judge, ordered the garnishment of Egypt’s treasury to capitalize the new nation of IsraelIsrael is the covenant people chosen by Yahweh, descended from Jacob, set apart to bear God’s name, receive His promises, and reveal His character to the nations. More.
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L — Law Maintained: Because it was a lawful transaction authorized by the Creator, it in no way violated the Eighth Commandment against criminal theft.
Berean Verdict
There is No Contradiction:
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and forbid the criminal, malicious, or secretive taking of property (ganab) and the defrauding of a laborer’s wages.
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and 12:35–36 record a legal, divine mandate to request (sha’al) retroactive wages from a hostile empire, acting as reparations for centuries of illegal slavery.
God did not command robbery; He executed perfect justice by recovering stolen wages.
