1 And God spake all these words, saying,…
15 Thou shalt not steal.
— Exodus 20:1,15 (KJV)
What is the meaning of “You shall not steal.”
This commandment might seem straightforward about theft of property, but consider these other things that are also considered stealing:
- Defrauding someone by dishonesty
- Cheating someone
- Purposely hurting someone’s reputation or dignity
- Theft of intellectual property
- Exploiting people
- Fraudulent activities
- Damage without restitution
- Lending with interest or usury
- Slavery beyond acceptable repayment or contract to repay a debt
- Holding back owed wages
- Not fulfilling a contract or work obligation
- Borrowing something and purposely not returning it
You can steal non-physical property too. You can even steal time from someone, including God’s time if you break the Sabbath!
Examples of modern stealing in today’s age:
- Downloading or copying music, movies, or media to avoid paying for it
- Using online copyrighted materials for your use
- Using your neighbor’s unsecured internet without permission
- Posting online a video of someone you took without their permission, which makes them look bad on purpose to hurt their reputation
- Buying things on a credit card, or taking on student loans, with no intention of paying them back
- Skipping out of work early or taking longer breaks without approval
- Using office supplies like printers for personal use without permission
How does the Bible define stealing?
The Bible defines it simply, the moral prohibition against taking someone else’s property without permission. The definition is broad and encompasses various forms of theft, including deceitful business practices, withholding wages, and moving a neighbor’s boundary stone.
In addition to the commandment, the Bible provides several other references that expand on the idea of stealing. For example, Leviticus 19:11 says, “You shall not steal; you shall not deal falsely; you shall not lie to one another.” This connects stealing with broader ethical teachings about honesty and truthfulness.
The Bible also discusses the consequences of stealing and the appropriate responses to it. For instance, Exodus 22:1-4 outlines specific restitution measures a thief must undertake, often requiring them to pay back more than what was stolen, indicating a restorative approach to justice.
The theme of stealing is further examined in the context of social justice, where prophets like Amos and Jeremiah condemn those who exploit the poor and needy through fraudulent means, viewing such acts as equivalent to theft.
Overall, stealing is portrayed in the Bible not just as a legal wrong but as a moral and spiritual failing that disrupts community harmony and violates divine law.
Where did the Eighth Commandment come from?
After God (using Moses) liberated His people from slavery in Egypt, God instructed them on how to live as a society under His rule. God, in a thick cloud from the top of Mount Sinai, spoke as a loud trumpet His laws so that Israelite people would know how to not sin, how to love God and love their neighbors as themselves (Matthew 22:37-40). These laws are called the Ten Commandments or the Law of Liberty (liberty from sin). Learn more about the Ten Commandments.
Related Questions:
- To be forgiven for stealing do you have to return what you stole?
- If you forgot to return something is that stealing?
- What is the biblical punishment for stealing?
- Does it matter the monetary value when determining what is stealing?
Our Adventist Life is a dedicated online evangelist and mother of two, deeply rooted in her Seventh-day Adventist faith. With over 15 years of experience in creating and optimizing digital content, she brings a unique blend of professional expertise and spiritual insight to her work. Her passion lies in exploring Biblical truths and their practical applications in daily living, self-care, and family nurturing. Through her writing, she aims to inspire and guide her readers toward a more fulfilling Christian lifestyle, drawing from her own experiences as a parent and a follower of Christ. Her thoughtful and engaging content reflects her commitment to sharing the love and wisdom found in the Scriptures with a modern audience living in the end times.