1 And God spake all these words, saying,…
17 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s.
— Exodus 20:1,17 (KJV)
What is the meaning of “You shall not covet.”
The Tenth Commandment, “You shall not covet,” is found in Exodus 20:17 and Deuteronomy 5:21. It forbids coveting what belongs to another person. This commandment encompasses a broad prohibition against allowing desire for the possessions or relationships of others to lead one to sin in thought or deed.
Biblical Context and Verses
Exodus 20:17 (NIV): “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”
Deuteronomy 5:21 (NIV): “You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife. You shall not set your desire on your neighbor’s house or land, his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”
These verses highlight a direct command against desiring the possessions or relationships of others. This commandment is unique as it addresses the internal state rather than just external actions, emphasizing moral integrity that includes thoughts and desires.
Theological Significance
The Tenth Commandment aims to foster a community spirit of trust, contentment, and respect for others’ rights. It teaches that unchecked desire can lead to more destructive sins such as theft, adultery, or worse. Essentially, it points to the importance of being satisfied with what one has and respecting the property and relationships of others.
Modern Examples of Coveting
- Material Wealth: Desiring excessively to own similar expensive items as others, like cars, houses, or the latest technology, purely because they belong to someone else.
- Relationships: Envying the relationships or family life of others, wishing to have a spouse, friends, or children like someone else’s, not out of loneliness or desire for companionship, but out of jealousy.
- Success and Status: Coveting someone’s job position, social status, or recognition, which can lead to unethical behavior in an attempt to gain similar accolades or position.
- Talents and Abilities: Wishing to have the same talents or abilities as someone else, not for personal growth or to benefit others, but out of a sense of jealousy and inadequacy.
- Experiences: Envy towards others’ experiences, such as vacations, education, or personal achievements, wishing one could have the same not for the joy of the experiences but because others have them.
Covetousness can subtly influence thoughts and actions, often leading to discontentment and inappropriate actions to obtain what others have. In a modern context, it’s important to cultivate contentment and gratitude for what one has, while appreciating and celebrating the successes and blessings of others without envy. This approach aligns with the spiritual and ethical teachings found in the Tenth Commandment.
Where did the Tenth 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). But did these commandments exist before then? Learn more about the Ten Commandments.
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