Exodus 20:17
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.
Original Language Analysis
לֹ֥א
H3808
לֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
1 of 15
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
בֵּ֣ית
house
H1004
בֵּ֣ית
house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
3 of 15
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
לְרֵעֶֽךָ׃
nor any thing that is thy neighbour's
H7453
לְרֵעֶֽךָ׃
nor any thing that is thy neighbour's
Strong's:
H7453
Word #:
4 of 15
an associate (more or less close)
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
5 of 15
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
לְרֵעֶֽךָ׃
nor any thing that is thy neighbour's
H7453
לְרֵעֶֽךָ׃
nor any thing that is thy neighbour's
Strong's:
H7453
Word #:
8 of 15
an associate (more or less close)
וְכֹ֖ל
H3605
וְכֹ֖ל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
13 of 15
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
Cross References
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.Hebrews 13:5Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.Colossians 3:5Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:Ephesians 5:5For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.Romans 7:7What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.Ephesians 5:3But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;Matthew 5:28But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.Job 31:9If mine heart have been deceived by a woman, or if I have laid wait at my neighbour's door;Jeremiah 5:8They were as fed horses in the morning: every one neighed after his neighbour's wife.
Historical Context
The tenth commandment uniquely addresses internal disposition rather than external action. This internalization reveals law's spiritual nature—God judges heart, not just hands. Paul says this command convicted him of sin (Romans 7:7).
Questions for Reflection
- Why does God command about desires (coveting) and not just actions—what does this teach about law's spiritual nature?
- How does gratitude for God's provision combat covetousness for neighbor's possessions?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
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.
The tenth command is internal—'lo tachmod' (לֹא תַחְמֹד, do not covet) addresses desire, not action. All previous commands concerned deeds; this penetrates the heart. 'Covet' means inordinate desire, greed that leads to grasping. The comprehensive list (house, wife, servants, animals, anything) covers all neighbor's possessions. Wife listed among property reflects ancient culture, but she's not 'thing'—she's covenant partner. Paul identifies coveting as idolatry (Colossians 3:5)—craving replaces God with stuff. Coveting sparked the first sin (Eve coveted forbidden fruit) and will mark the last days ('lovers of self, lovers of money,' 2 Timothy 3:2). Christ's contentment counters covetousness; gratitude defeats greed.