Deuteronomy Chapter 5 · Verse 21
Neither shalt thou desire thy neighbour's wife, neither shalt thou covet thy neighbour's house, his field, or his manservant, or his maidservant, his ox, or his ass, or any thing that is thy neighbour's.
Original Language Analysis
וְלֹ֥א
H3808
וְלֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
1 of 16
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
לְרֵעֶֽךָ׃
or any thing that is thy neighbour's
H7453
לְרֵעֶֽךָ׃
or any thing that is thy neighbour's
Strong's:
H7453
Word #:
4 of 16
an associate (more or less close)
וְלֹ֨א
H3808
וְלֹ֨א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
5 of 16
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
בֵּ֣ית
house
H1004
בֵּ֣ית
house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
7 of 16
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
לְרֵעֶֽךָ׃
or any thing that is thy neighbour's
H7453
לְרֵעֶֽךָ׃
or any thing that is thy neighbour's
Strong's:
H7453
Word #:
8 of 16
an associate (more or less close)
וְכֹ֖ל
H3605
וְכֹ֖ל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
14 of 16
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
Cross References
Exodus 20:17Thou 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.Romans 13:9For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.Luke 12:15And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.Habakkuk 2:9Woe to him that coveteth an evil covetousness to his house, that he may set his nest on high, that he may be delivered from the power of evil!Micah 2:2And they covet fields, and take them by violence; and houses, and take them away: so they oppress a man and his house, even a man and his heritage.
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern law codes addressed external actions (theft, murder, adultery) but not internal dispositions. Israel's tenth commandment uniquely probed the heart, demonstrating that God sees and judges inner motives. The comprehensive list—wife, house, land, servants, livestock—covers all areas where covetousness operates. James traces sin's progression: desire conceives, gives birth to sin, produces death (James 1:14-15). Achan's coveting led to theft and Israel's defeat at Ai (Joshua 7).
Questions for Reflection
- How does this commandment reveal that God's law addresses heart attitudes and desires, not merely external behaviors?
- What does Paul's testimony (Romans 7:7-8) teach about coveting as the root sin that reveals our utter dependence on grace for transformation?
Analysis & Commentary
The tenth commandment 'Neither shalt thou desire thy neighbour's wife' addresses internal attitudes, not merely external actions. The Hebrew 'chamad' (covet/desire) targets the heart—wrongful craving that leads to sin. Coveting violates contentment, breeds envy, and ultimately produces theft, adultery, and murder. This command reveals that God's law governs thoughts and affections, not merely behavior. Paul identifies coveting as the sin that convicted him of heart corruption (Romans 7:7-8). Only Spirit regeneration can transform covetous hearts, producing contentment in God's sovereign provision (Philippians 4:11-13, Hebrews 13:5).