Exodus 3:22

Every woman shall borrow. Obviously the Hebrews did not intend to return what they sought to secure from the Egyptians. Hence they have been accused of practicing fraud, and God has been blamed, not only for condoning their act of deception, but for planning and directing it as well. But the verb translated “borrow” should be translated “ask,” as in the RSV. The Israelites were to ask gifts of their Egyptian neighbors as a contribution to the necessary expenses of the long journey. They had toiled for many decades as slaves, to the profit of the Egyptians, whose taxes had been lighter in proportion to the value of the free labor rendered by the Hebrews. The latter were certainly entitled to what would in reality be but a small reward for the long years of labor rendered. The Israelites asked without intending to restore, and the Egyptians granted their request without the expectation of receiving back, because God favorably disposed their hearts toward the Israelites (v. 21). The Egyptians had spoiled the Hebrews, and now the Hebrews carried off the spoil of Egypt as partial compensation (PP 281).

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