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Exodus 12:36 - Divine favor plunders Egypt

Exodus 12:36 - שמות 12:36

Hebrew Text

וַיהוָה נָתַן אֶת־חֵן הָעָם בְּעֵינֵי מִצְרַיִם וַיַּשְׁאִלוּם וַיְנַצְּלוּ אֶת־מִצְרָיִם׃

English Translation

and the Lord gave the people favour in the sight of Miżrayim, so that they gave them such things as they required. And they despoiled Miżrayim.

Transliteration

Va'Adonai natan et-chen ha'am b'einei Mitzrayim vayash'ilum vayenatzlu et-Mitzrayim.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַֽיהֹוָ֞ה נָתַ֨ן אֶת־חֵ֥ן הָעָ֛ם בְּעֵינֵ֥י מִצְרַ֖יִם וַיַּשְׁאִל֑וּם וַֽיְנַצְּל֖וּ אֶת־מִצְרָֽיִם׃ <span class="mam-spi-pe">{פ}</span><br>
וַֽיהֹוָ֞ה נָתַ֨ן אֶת־חֵ֥ן הָעָ֛ם בְּעֵינֵ֥י מִצְרַ֖יִם וַיַּשְׁאִל֑וּם וַֽיְנַצְּל֖וּ אֶת־מִצְרָֽיִם׃ {פ}

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Divine Favor and the Despoiling of Egypt

The verse (Shemot 12:36) describes how Hashem granted the Israelites favor in the eyes of the Egyptians, leading to the Egyptians willingly lending them valuable items, effectively "despoiling" Egypt. This event fulfills the promise made to Avraham in Bereishit 15:14 that his descendants would leave their exile with great wealth.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi comments that the Egyptians lent the Israelites their possessions willingly because of the divine favor (chein) placed upon them. He further explains that the term vayenatzlu ("despoiled") implies that the Israelites took Egypt's wealth as if it were netzulim—spoils of war—even though it was given voluntarily. This highlights the miraculous nature of the event, as the Egyptians, despite their hostility, were compelled to act generously.

Midrashic Insights

  • Shemot Rabbah (14:3): The Midrash teaches that the Egyptians were so eager to give that they pressed their own jewelry upon the Israelites, saying, "Take it, for we have no right to withhold what belongs to you." This reflects the idea that the wealth of Egypt rightfully belonged to the Israelites as compensation for their centuries of unpaid labor.
  • Mechilta: The Egyptians were unaware that they were fulfilling divine prophecy, thinking they were merely lending items that would be returned. However, the Israelites left with these possessions permanently, as Hashem had decreed.

Rambam's Perspective

In Moreh Nevuchim (3:39), Rambam explains that the despoiling of Egypt served a practical purpose: it provided the Israelites with resources for their journey and the construction of the Mishkan. This demonstrates Hashem’s providence in ensuring that the nation would not leave in poverty but with the means to establish their new spiritual and physical existence.

Halachic Implications

The Talmud (Sanhedrin 91a) records a later dispute between the Egyptians and the Jews before Alexander the Great, where the Egyptians demanded repayment for the taken wealth. The Jewish response, based on the unpaid labor of their ancestors, was upheld, reinforcing the righteousness of the despoiling as a form of divine justice.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Berakhot 9b
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the Israelites' exodus from Egypt and the favor they found in the eyes of the Egyptians, illustrating divine intervention.
📖 Sanhedrin 111a
The verse is cited in a broader discussion about the miracles and events surrounding the Exodus, emphasizing the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does it mean that 'the Lord gave the people favor in the sight of Egypt'?
A: According to Rashi, this means that the Egyptians willingly lent their valuables to the Israelites because Hashem made the Egyptians view them favorably. The Midrash explains that this was repayment for the Israelites' unpaid labor in Egypt.
Q: Why did the Israelites take items from the Egyptians before leaving?
A: The Torah states this fulfilled Hashem's promise to Avraham that his descendants would leave Egypt with great wealth (Genesis 15:14). Ramban explains this was both compensation for their slavery and to provide resources for building the Mishkan (Tabernacle) later.
Q: How could the Egyptians willingly give their valuables after the plagues?
A: The Talmud (Berachot 9b) explains that after experiencing Hashem's power through the plagues, the Egyptians were so awed that they happily gave their possessions. Some commentaries suggest they feared refusing the Israelites' requests.
Q: What lesson can we learn from the Egyptians giving valuables to the Israelites?
A: The Sages teach that this shows how Hashem can change people's hearts to fulfill His plans. Just as He made the Egyptians favor the Israelites, He can arrange circumstances to help us when we follow His will.
Q: Was it morally right for the Israelites to take the Egyptians' possessions?
A: Yes, as Rambam explains, this was not theft but rightful compensation for generations of unpaid labor. The Torah emphasizes the Egyptians willingly 'lent' these items (Exodus 12:35-36), showing it was done properly with Egyptian consent.