Exodus 20:15 kjv

Thou shalt not steal.

Exodus 20:15 nkjv

"You shall not steal.

Exodus 20:15 niv

"You shall not steal.

Exodus 20:15 esv

"You shall not steal.

Exodus 20:15 nlt

"You must not steal.

Exodus 20 verses

Exodus 20 15 Meaning

Exodus 20:15, "You shall not steal," is the eighth of the Ten Commandments, delivered by God to the nation of Israel at Mount Sinai. It is a fundamental moral prohibition against the unlawful taking of another's property, affirming the right to personal possessions and emphasizing honesty and justice in all interactions. This commandment upholds the dignity and well-being of the neighbor by protecting their resources and livelihood.

Exodus 20 15 Context

Exodus 20:15 is situated within the Decalogue, the Ten Commandments, delivered by God to the Israelite nation at Mount Sinai. These commandments represent the core moral and ethical demands of God's covenant with Israel. The first four commandments primarily deal with Israel's relationship with God (love for God), while the remaining six, including the prohibition against stealing, focus on Israel's relationship with one another (love for neighbor). The historical context is that of a newly freed people, called to form a distinct nation, where justice, righteousness, and order were paramount. This commandment served to establish the sanctity of private property, crucial for the economic stability and social cohesion of a burgeoning society. It laid a foundation for communal trust, ensuring that individuals could accumulate and retain possessions without fear of unlawful appropriation. In an ancient world where might often made right, God's law stood in stark contrast, providing divine protection for the property and livelihood of every individual, from the poorest to the wealthiest.

Exodus 20 15 Word analysis

• You (לֹא - lo) (Implied subject): The subject is universal "you," addressing every individual Israelite, signifying a personal and direct commandment. It highlights individual responsibility.
• shall not (לֹא - lo): This is the strongest negation in Hebrew, equivalent to "never" or "thou shalt not under any circumstances." It conveys an absolute and permanent prohibition, not merely a suggestion. It signifies a divine imperative and a core ethical boundary.
• steal (תִּגְנֹב - tignov, from גָּנַב - ganav):
  • Transliteration & Meaning: The root verb ganav (גָּנַב) means to steal, rob, or kidnap. It encompasses any surreptitious or unlawful taking of property belonging to another, without the owner's knowledge or consent, usually done with deceit or secrecy.
  • Scope: While often associated with physical goods (ox, sheep, money), its scope is broad. It can include:
    • Theft of Goods: Direct appropriation of material possessions.
    • Theft of Persons: Kidnapping, which in ancient Israel was a capital offense (Exo 21:16), recognizing a human being as God's property and life as sacred.
    • Theft of Property/Time: Unjust weights and measures (Lev 19:35-36), defrauding workers of wages (Deut 24:14; Jas 5:4), embezzling, corporate fraud, tax evasion, idleness (stealing from one's employer or community).
    • Theft of Reputation/Identity: Bearing false witness or spreading slander, which unjustly damages someone's good name, a form of taking something valuable that isn't one's own.
    • Theft from God: Refusing to give tithes and offerings (Mal 3:8).
    • Theft of Credit: Taking credit for another's work or ideas.
  • Theological Significance: Theft fundamentally disrespects God's design for human flourishing and order. It undermines neighborly love (Rom 13:9), violates justice, and often stems from covetousness (Col 3:5). It disregards the principle that God is the ultimate provider, and possessions are gifts held in stewardship.

• Words-group: "You shall not steal"
  • This concise command, simple yet profound, forms a cornerstone of a righteous society. It highlights that true communal prosperity and peace are built on honesty, integrity, and mutual respect for property rights and labor.
  • It sets a clear boundary against self-centered acquisition, encouraging industriousness and fair dealing (Eph 4:28).
  • The negative formulation "shall not" is indicative of a core, non-negotiable principle, part of God's character reflected in the laws given to His people. It distinguishes God's covenant people from surrounding cultures that might have condoned forms of theft or exploitation, especially by the powerful.
  • The principle behind "You shall not steal" is not just avoiding taking what isn't yours, but actively contributing to the common good and respecting the livelihood of others. It implies fair exchange, just wages, and integrity in all financial and property dealings.

Exodus 20 15 Bonus section

• The Law of Restitution: The Mosaic Law accompanying this commandment detailed specific provisions for restitution (Exo 22), often requiring more than what was stolen (e.g., four or five times the value). This was not merely punitive but aimed at discouraging theft and restoring the wronged party beyond their initial loss. It also offered a path for the thief to demonstrate repentance and rejoin the community.
• Heart of the Command: Many scholars note that the prohibition against stealing implicitly discourages greed and covetousness, the underlying desires that often motivate theft (Col 3:5). The Tenth Commandment ("You shall not covet") directly addresses this root issue. True adherence to the eighth commandment flows from a heart content with God's provision and genuinely loving towards one's neighbor.
• Community vs. Individual: While protecting individual property rights, this command also serves the good of the entire community. A society where theft is rampant loses trust, becomes unstable, and its members live in fear and poverty. Upholding this command builds trust, encourages industry, and fosters peace.

Exodus 20 15 Commentary

Exodus 20:15, "You shall not steal," serves as a concise, yet expansive, ethical directive, deeply foundational to a just and harmonious society. It unequivocally forbids the unlawful appropriation of property or anything belonging to another without consent. Beyond the obvious taking of physical goods, this command broadly encompasses any act that deprives someone of what is rightfully theirs through deceit, force, or unjust means. This includes embezzlement, fraud, exploitation of the vulnerable, failure to pay fair wages, plagiarism, and even wasting an employer's time or resources. The principle extends to the respect of a person's life, time, labor, reputation, and identity. The theological basis for this command is rooted in God's character as a just God and the ultimate owner of all things; He assigns stewards of property, and to disrespect property is to disrespect His providence and the dignity of the image-bearer who owns it. The commandment promotes diligence, integrity, and contentment, encouraging individuals to work honestly for their livelihood rather than unlawfully acquire from others, and to share their abundance with those in need as a means of living out love for neighbor. Violating this command indicates a lack of trust in God's provision and a deficiency in loving one's neighbor as oneself.Examples of practical application: paying taxes honestly; returning lost items; giving a full day's work for a full day's pay; refusing to illegally download copyrighted material; honoring contracts; refraining from gossip that tarnishes reputation.