Were the Israelites slaves as we perceive that term today?

Did the Israelites live among the Egyptians (their neighbours) and were they slaves as we understand it today? They must have lived in their own houses to be able to daub blood on the doorposts and lintels, I'm guessing they also had freedom of movement as they were able to ask their Egyptian neighbours for gold/silver. Was this gold/silver an entitlement...as per wages? If so, then surely their neighbours were not responsible for paying them?

Exodus 11:1 - 10

ESV - ¹ The Lord said to Moses, "Yet one plague more I will bring upon Pharaoh and upon Egypt. Afterward he will let you go from here. When he lets you go, he will drive you away completely. ² Speak now in the hearing of the people, that they ask, every man of his neighbor and every woman of her neighbor, for silver and gold jewelry.

Clarify • Share • Report • Asked December 20 2023 • Steve Mills