Exodus 3:21

KJV

And I will give this people favour in the sight of the Egyptians: and it shall come to pass, that, when ye go, ye shall not go empty:

KJV (with Strong's)

And I will give {H5414} this people {H5971} favour {H2580} in the sight {H5869} of the Egyptians {H4714}: and it shall come to pass, that, when ye go {H3212}, ye shall not go {H3212} empty {H7387}:

Complete Jewish Bible

Moreover, I will make the Egyptians so well-disposed toward this people that when you go, you won't go empty-handed.

Berean Standard Bible

And I will grant this people such favor in the sight of the Egyptians that when you leave, you will not go away empty-handed.

American Standard Version

And I will give this people favor in the sight of the Egyptians: and it shall come to pass, that, when ye go, ye shall not go empty.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 3:21 unveils a profound divine promise from God to Moses, assuring that the Israelites will not depart from their Egyptian bondage empty-handed. This declaration signifies God's sovereign intent to supernaturally incline the hearts of the Egyptians to bestow favor and valuable possessions upon His people, serving as both a just recompense for centuries of forced labor and a powerful demonstration of His faithfulness to ancient covenant promises, ensuring Israel's departure is marked by dignity and abundance.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Exodus 3 marks a pivotal moment in salvation history: God's self-revelation to Moses at the burning bush and the commissioning of Moses to deliver Israel. This verse is nestled within God's detailed instructions and assurances to Moses regarding the impending Exodus. Following God's declaration of His covenant name, [“I AM THAT I AM”](/exodus/3-14 "Exodus 3:14 - The Divine Name"), and His compassionate affirmation that He has "surely seen the affliction of my people" ([Exodus 3:7](/exodus/3-7 "Exodus 3:7 - God Hears His People's Cry")), this promise of favor and provision directly addresses the practical realities of Israel's departure. It is a specific, tangible aspect of the larger divine plan for liberation, immediately preceding God's instruction for Moses to gather the elders of Israel and declare His intention to bring them out of Egypt into a land flowing with milk and honey ([Exodus 3:16-17](/exodus/3-16-17 "Exodus 3:16-17 - God's Plan for Israel's Deliverance")). This promise sets the stage for the dramatic events of the plagues and the eventual "spoiling" of Egypt, culminating in the triumphant departure described later in the book.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** For over 400 years, the Israelites had endured brutal slavery under the Egyptians, forced to build cities like Pithom and Raamses ([Exodus 1:11](/exodus/1-11 "Exodus 1:11 - Israel's Forced Labor")). They were an oppressed, disenfranchised, and impoverished people, stripped of their dignity and material possessions. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, a departing group, especially slaves, would typically leave destitute. However, God's promise in Exodus 3:21 defies this norm, indicating a reversal of fortunes and a divine act of justice. The Egyptians, as the dominant power, held all the wealth and control. For the Israelites to leave with "favor" and "not empty" would require a supernatural intervention, compelling the oppressors to willingly part with their valuables. This act would not only provide for Israel's immediate needs in the wilderness but also serve as a public declaration of God's judgment against Egypt for their cruelty and exploitation, demonstrating His sovereignty over the most powerful empire of the time.
* **Key Themes:** This verse significantly contributes to several overarching themes in Exodus and the broader Pentateuch. Firstly, it underscores **Divine Sovereignty and Omnipotence**, showcasing God's absolute control over human hearts and historical events, even those involving hostile nations. Secondly, it highlights **God's Faithfulness to Covenant Promises**, specifically fulfilling the ancient prophecy given to Abraham that his descendants would leave their servitude with "great substance" ([Genesis 15:14](/genesis/15-14 "Genesis 15:14 - God's Promise to Abraham")). Thirdly, it powerfully illustrates **Divine Justice and Recompense**, portraying God as the righteous judge who hears the cries of the oppressed and repays their suffering, turning the tables on their oppressors. Finally, it speaks to **God's Holistic Provision and Deliverance**, demonstrating that His salvation extends beyond mere physical liberation to include the material well-being and dignity of His people, ensuring they are equipped for their journey and future as a nation.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Exodus 3:21 is a succinct yet profound declaration of God's meticulous plan for Israel's departure, emphasizing not just their physical liberation but their economic empowerment and the reversal of their long-standing oppression.

#### Key Word Analysis
* **give (Hebrew, _nâthan'_ H5414):** This primary root word is incredibly versatile, meaning "to give," but also "to put," "to make," "to bestow," or "to grant." In this context, it signifies God's active, sovereign bestowal of favor. It's not something the Israelites earn or extract by force, but a divinely initiated act, emphasizing God's control over the hearts and actions of the Egyptians. This highlights the supernatural nature of the favor they receive.
* **favour (Hebrew, _chên'_ H2580):** Derived from the root meaning "to be gracious," _chên_ refers to graciousness, kindness, or goodwill. In this verse, it denotes a supernatural disposition instilled by God in the Egyptians, causing them to look upon the Israelites with benevolence and a willingness to part with their possessions. It implies an unmerited, divinely-induced goodwill that transcends natural human inclination, especially given the history of oppression.
* **empty (Hebrew, _rêyqâm'_ H7387):** This adverb means "emptily," "in vain," or "void." Its use here emphatically states that the Israelites will not leave destitute or without substance. It contrasts sharply with their status as slaves who owned nothing. The promise of not going "empty" signifies divine provision, a substantial recompense for their unpaid labor, and a visible sign of God's judgment and vindication.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And I will give this people favour in the sight of the Egyptians:"** This clause reveals God's sovereign intervention in human affairs. The "favor" (חֵן, _chên_) is not something the Israelites earn or demand, but something God supernaturally "gives" (נָתַן, _nâthan_) to them. It implies a divine manipulation of the Egyptians' disposition, causing them to view the Israelites with an uncharacteristic goodwill, leading to their willingness to part with their valuables. This highlights God's absolute control over the hearts of even their oppressors.
* **"and it shall come to pass, that, when ye go, ye shall not go empty:"** This second clause details the practical outcome of the divine favor. The phrase "ye shall not go empty" (לֹא תֵלְכוּ רֵיקָם, _lo telekhu rêyqâm_) is a powerful assurance of divine provision and justice. It directly counters the expected outcome for slaves leaving bondage—destitution. Instead, it promises that Israel will depart with significant material wealth, serving as a form of recompense for centuries of unpaid labor and suffering, and a tangible sign of God's judgment against Egypt for their exploitation. This promise was dramatically fulfilled in [Exodus 12:35-36](/exodus/12-35-36 "Exodus 12:35-36 - The Israelites Spoil the Egyptians"), when the Egyptians eagerly gave the Israelites silver, gold, and clothing.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent literary devices. **Divine Fiat** is evident in the direct, declarative "I will give," emphasizing God's absolute authority and the certainty of His promise. This is a divine decree, not a suggestion or a conditional statement. **Foreshadowing** is also present, as this promise sets the stage for the dramatic "spoiling of the Egyptians" described in [Exodus 12](/exodus/12 "Exodus 12 - The Passover and Exodus"), where the Israelites indeed leave laden with wealth. The phrase "ye shall not go empty" serves as a form of **Litotes**, a rhetorical understatement that affirms something by denying its opposite; by saying they won't go "empty," it strongly implies they will go full, or richly endowed. Finally, there's a profound sense of **Irony** and **Reversal of Fortune**: the very oppressors who enslaved and impoverished Israel will be divinely compelled to enrich them, turning the tables on their long-standing power dynamic and demonstrating God's ultimate justice.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 3:21 is a foundational statement about God's character and His interaction with humanity. It reveals a God who is intimately aware of His people's suffering, actively intervenes on their behalf, and orchestrates events to bring about His purposes, which include justice and recompense for the oppressed. This promise underscores that God's deliverance is comprehensive, addressing not only spiritual and physical bondage but also material well-being and the restoration of dignity. It establishes a pattern of divine provision and vindication that echoes throughout biblical history, assuring believers that God is faithful to His word and will ultimately provide for and reward those who trust in Him, even in the face of overwhelming adversity.

* [Genesis 15:14](/genesis/15-14 "Genesis 15:14 - God's Prophecy to Abraham about Israel's Deliverance")
* [Psalm 105:37](/psalms/105-37 "Psalm 105:37 - God Brings Israel Out with Silver and Gold")
* [Proverbs 21:1](/proverbs/21-1 "Proverbs 21:1 - The King's Heart in the Hand of the Lord")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 3:21 serves as a powerful anchor for our faith, reminding us that God is not only aware of our struggles but actively working behind the scenes to bring about our deliverance and provision. Just as He supernaturally influenced the hearts of the Egyptians, He can incline the hearts of others—or orchestrate circumstances—to provide for our needs and bring about justice in our lives. This verse calls us to cultivate a deep trust in God's faithfulness, especially when we feel "empty" or oppressed by circumstances. It encourages us to believe that our God is a God of recompense who sees every injustice and will, in His perfect timing, bring about restoration and abundance. Our ultimate "going out" from the bondage of sin and death, through Christ, is not empty, but filled with an inheritance beyond measure. Therefore, we are called to patiently endure, faithfully obey, and confidently expect God's holistic provision and vindication.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you feel "empty" or in need of divine provision and favor?**
* **How does the promise of God influencing the hearts of others (even oppressors) encourage you in challenging relationships or circumstances?**
* **What past experiences can you recall where God turned a seemingly impossible situation into an opportunity for His provision or justice?**
* **How does the concept of God's holistic deliverance (physical, spiritual, material) shape your understanding of salvation and God's care for you?**

### FAQ
**Was the "spoiling" of the Egyptians an act of theft?**

Answer: No, it was not theft. From a theological and ethical perspective, it was an act of divine justice and recompense. The Israelites had endured centuries of brutal, unpaid labor, contributing immensely to the Egyptian economy and infrastructure. God, as the ultimate arbiter of justice, decreed that the wealth they received was a rightful repayment for their generations of servitude and suffering, as well as a judgment against Egypt for their systemic oppression. This is explicitly stated in [Exodus 12:35-36](/exodus/12-35-36 "Exodus 12:35-36 - The Israelites Plunder the Egyptians"), where the Egyptians willingly gave them their valuables to hasten their departure.

**How did God "give favour" to the Israelites in the sight of the Egyptians?**

Answer: The text implies a supernatural, divine intervention that influenced the Egyptians' disposition. This favor was not earned by the Israelites but divinely bestowed. It likely manifested as a sudden, overwhelming desire among the Egyptians to be rid of the Israelites, especially after the devastating plagues. This desperation caused them to willingly part with their valuable possessions (silver, gold, clothing) to expedite the Israelites' departure, as detailed in [Exodus 12:35-36](/exodus/12-35-36 "Exodus 12:35-36 - The Israelites Ask for Valuables"). It was a miraculous turning of hearts, demonstrating God's absolute sovereignty over human will.

**Does this promise of not "going empty" apply to believers today?**

Answer: While the specific historical context of receiving material wealth from oppressors is unique to the Exodus, the underlying principles of God's faithfulness, divine provision, and ultimate justice are timeless and apply to believers today. We can trust that God will provide for our needs, deliver us from spiritual and temporal bondages, and ensure we are not left "empty" but are richly blessed, especially with the spiritual inheritance found in Christ. Our ultimate deliverance from the bondage of sin leads to an abundance of grace, peace, and eternal life, far surpassing any earthly treasure.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 3:21 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Just as God promised to lead Israel out of physical bondage in Egypt with "great substance," Christ, the greater Moses, leads His people out of the far more profound bondage of sin, death, and the dominion of darkness. We do not go "empty" from this spiritual exodus; rather, we are given an immeasurable spiritual inheritance. Through His atoning work on the cross, Christ "spoiled" the principalities and powers, disarming them and triumphing over them ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). He leads His redeemed people out of spiritual slavery not with silver and gold, but with the true riches of grace, righteousness, adoption into God's family ([Galatians 4:4-7](/galatians/4-4-7 "Galatians 4:4-7 - Adoption as Sons")), and eternal life ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God's Love and Eternal Life")). The "favor" God gave Israel in the sight of the Egyptians foreshadows the ultimate, unmerited favor (grace) God bestows upon humanity through Christ's sacrifice, granting us access to His glorious kingdom and an eternal inheritance that far surpasses any earthly treasure ([Ephesians 1:3-14](/ephesians/1-3-14 "Ephesians 1:3-14 - Spiritual Blessings in Christ")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Exodus 12:36

And the LORD gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent unto them [such things as they required]. And they spoiled the Egyptians.

Psalms 105:37

He brought them forth also with silver and gold: and [there was] not one feeble [person] among their tribes.

Exodus 11:3

And the LORD gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover the man Moses [was] very great in the land of Egypt, in the sight of Pharaoh's servants, and in the sight of the people.

Proverbs 16:7

¶ When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.

Psalms 106:46

He made them also to be pitied of all those that carried them captives.

Genesis 39:21

But the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison.

Acts 7:10

And delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him favour and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house.