Deuteronomy 5 19

Deuteronomy 5:19 kjv

Neither shalt thou steal.

Deuteronomy 5:19 nkjv

'You shall not steal.

Deuteronomy 5:19 niv

"You shall not steal.

Deuteronomy 5:19 esv

"'And you shall not steal.

Deuteronomy 5:19 nlt

"You must not steal.

Deuteronomy 5 verses

Deuteronomy 5 19 Meaning

Deuteronomy 5:19 is the Eighth Commandment of God's covenant with Israel, stating "Neither shall you steal." It establishes a fundamental prohibition against unlawfully taking anything that rightfully belongs to another person. This command upholds the sacredness of private property and personal integrity, contributing to social order, justice, and trust within the community established by God. It safeguards human dignity by respecting legitimate ownership and ensuring that individuals can possess the fruits of their labor without fear of illicit deprivation.

Deuteronomy 5 19 Context

Deuteronomy 5:19 is found within Moses' reaffirmation of the Ten Commandments to the new generation of Israelites on the plains of Moab, just before they enter the Promised Land. This retelling (Deut 5:6-21) serves to impress upon them the foundational laws of the covenant relationship with Yahweh. Unlike the first giving at Mount Sinai (Exodus 20), this delivery emphasizes the personal relationship and the practical implications for their lives as a people set apart. The Eighth Commandment, specifically, safeguards the individual's right to property and livelihood, establishing a baseline for justice and preventing anarchy. In an ancient society without robust police forces, a community built on trust and respect for possessions was paramount for stability. It implicitly countered practices common among surrounding nations where the strong might seize what they desired, by instead upholding divine law as the standard for communal living.

Deuteronomy 5 19 Word analysis

• "Neither" (לֹא, lo')

  • This is an emphatic negative particle in Hebrew, signifying an absolute and strong prohibition. It means "not at all" or "under no circumstances."
  • Significance: It highlights that this is a definitive boundary established by God, not merely a suggestion.

• "shall you steal" (תִּגְנֹֽב, tignōv)

  • This is the second person masculine singular imperfect form of the verb גָּנַב (ganav).
  • גָּנַב (ganav): The root meaning of this verb is "to steal by stealth" or "to take secretly." It primarily refers to actions taken covertly, often implying deception or surreptitious removal.
    • Broader Scope: While often translated simply as "steal" relating to material possessions, ganav in the Old Testament can also refer to:
      • Kidnapping/Manstealing: The gravest form, involving the illicit taking of a human being (e.g., Ex 21:16, Deut 24:7). This was a capital offense because it violated the freedom and personhood made in God's image.
      • Deception/Fraud: Taking something dishonestly, without overt violence. This could include things like intellectual theft or subtle misrepresentation.
      • Stealing by trickery or surreptitiously taking a thing without the owner's knowledge or consent. It contrasts with "robbing" (Heb. gazal), which often implies open force or violence. The Eighth Commandment specifically targets the deceptive act.
    • Polemics: This command sets Israel apart from cultures where plundering and taking what belonged to others was common, affirming a societal order founded on righteousness and respect. It demands inner integrity, not just outward conformity, because the nature of the theft implies a hidden action.

• Words-group Analysis: "Neither shall you steal" (לֹא תִּגְנֹב, lo' tignōv)

  • This concise command is a direct, categorical prohibition from God, forming a cornerstone of moral and social behavior within the covenant community.
  • It defines a boundary of behavior, stating what God's people must not do. It assumes and protects the concept of rightful ownership, which is ultimately derived from God's ordering of the world and His giving of possessions.
  • The use of ganav implies a violation of trust and an underhanded action, affecting not only the victim's material well-being but also the fabric of community trust.
  • The imperative form signals its foundational importance for societal stability, peace, and justice, essential for Israel's function as a holy nation reflecting God's character.

Deuteronomy 5 19 Bonus section

The Eighth Commandment, while brief, carries immense theological and practical weight. It reveals God as the ultimate owner of all things, with human ownership being a stewardship. Thus, stealing is not just a horizontal offense against another person, but ultimately a vertical offense against God's established order. The command directly challenges the underlying sin of covetousness (forbidden by the Tenth Commandment, Deut 5:21), demonstrating how unchecked desire often leads to the action of theft. The New Testament intensifies the understanding of this commandment, moving beyond mere outward conformity to heart-level obedience (Rom 13:9), where a genuine love for one's neighbor precludes any desire to unjustly take from them. This broader interpretation implies that theft includes any action that unjustly diminishes another's good—whether physical, reputational, or financial.

Deuteronomy 5 19 Commentary

Deuteronomy 5:19, "Neither shall you steal," is the clear and concise Eighth Commandment, establishing a divine prohibition against the unlawful appropriation of another's possessions. This command is foundational for a just and stable society, ensuring that property rights are respected and that individuals can trust in the security of their belongings and their labor's fruit. Beyond the literal taking of material objects, the Hebrew term for "steal" (ganav) can extend to various forms of illicit acquisition, including kidnapping (the ultimate theft of a person's liberty), intellectual theft, fraud, embezzlement, or deceptive practices that unjustly enrich one person at another's expense. The emphasis on stealth implies an attack on honesty and community trust. It encourages industriousness and contentment with what God provides legitimately, urging people to earn their living honestly (Eph 4:28). This commandment undergirds social order, promoting integrity and a selfless regard for the well-being and rights of one's neighbor, reflecting the divine character of justice and love.

Examples include:

• Taking an item from a store without paying.
• Copying and distributing copyrighted material without permission.
• Falsifying expense reports or time cards for financial gain.
• Deceiving an elderly person into signing over assets.