And the LORD had given is an assumed pluperfect, as in verse 35. Had given the people favor, as in 3.21 and 11.3, suggests that Yahweh gave something to the Israelites. Durham calls it “credibility.” But since it was in the sight of the Egyptians, it may be better to say, “The LORD made the Egyptians respect the people” (Good News Translation), or even “The LORD had given his people face before the Egyptians.”

So that is the usual conjunction waw, which here may even have the meaning of “so much so, that…” (so New Jerusalem Bible). Revised English Bible translates it as “because.” “And as a result” is also possible. They let them have what they asked is just one word in Hebrew. It is not the usual word for “give” but rather a causative form of the word for “ask.” The meaning, however, is simply “they gave them what they asked for” (New International Version).

Thus they despoiled the Egyptians again begins with the conjunction waw, but the word despoiled makes this a summary statement. Thus does not indicate “why” but “how,” so Good News Translation‘s “In this way” is what is meant. The word for despoiled, as in 3.22, means to plunder or take the spoil from a defeated army. (See 2Chr 20.25.) Good News Translation has “In this way the Israelites carried away the wealth of the Egyptians.”

Quoted with permission from Osborn, Noel D. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Exodus. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1999. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .