Exodus 20:17 kjv

Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbor's.

Exodus 20:17 nkjv

"You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor's."

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."

Exodus 20:17 esv

"You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor's."

Exodus 20:17 nlt

"You must not covet your neighbor's house. You must not covet your neighbor's wife, male or female servant, ox or donkey, or anything else that belongs to your neighbor."

Exodus 20 verses

Exodus 20 17 Meaning

Exodus 20:17, the tenth and final commandment, prohibits the internal desire to possess that which belongs to another. It guards against an illicit and intense craving for someone else's property, spouse, or anything valuable to them. This command transcends outward actions, addressing the very source of sin in the heart: envy, discontentment, and a lack of satisfaction with what one possesses. It teaches contentment and respect for the inherent rights and boundaries of one's neighbor, promoting societal harmony and individual peace by curbing greedy desires before they manifest into harmful actions like theft or adultery.

Exodus 20 17 Context

Exodus chapter 20 records the foundational Ten Commandments given by God to Israel at Mount Sinai, shortly after their exodus from Egypt. These commands form the core of the covenant between God and His people, establishing principles for a righteous life and a just society. The first four commandments address Israel's relationship with God, while the last six address human relationships. The tenth commandment is unique among them because, unlike the others which prohibit outward actions (killing, stealing, committing adultery), it directly prohibits an internal disposition—the desire of the heart.

Historically and culturally, this commandment protected the integrity of the household (including family, property, and livelihood) in an ancient Near Eastern society where stability relied heavily on defined personal and communal boundaries. It implicitly challenged the prevailing human tendency towards unchecked material desire and competition common in some surrounding cultures. By commanding against covetousness, God aimed to cultivate a community based on respect, contentment, and the prevention of the inner motivations that often lead to breaches of the other commandments like theft, adultery, and even murder.

Exodus 20 17 Word analysis

• You shall not covet: (לֹא תַחְמֹד – lo’ taḥmod). This strong prohibition, using the negative imperative, is derived from the Hebrew verb ḥāmad, which signifies a strong desire, lust, or craving for something, particularly what is attractive or valuable. While ḥāmad can sometimes refer to legitimate desire (e.g., in pleasing God), in a prohibitory context, it means an illicit, greedy, or envy-driven desire to appropriate something that belongs to another. This is unique among the Ten Commandments as it forbids an internal attitude rather than an external action, demonstrating God's concern for the heart and the source of sinful acts. It signifies that the sin begins with the inner yearning.

• your neighbor's: (רֵעֶךָ – rē‘ekā). This term broadly means "your friend," "companion," or "fellow human being." In the context of the Ten Commandments and Israelite law, it refers to anyone in the community—a fellow Israelite, or even a resident alien—with whom one lives and interacts, emphasizing mutual respect and responsibility within the covenant community.

• house: (בֵּיתוֹ – bêtō). In ancient Hebrew culture, "house" signifies much more than just a physical dwelling. It encapsulates the entire household, including the structure, land, possessions, wealth, and the family residing within it—wife, children, servants, and all the means of livelihood and security. To covet the "house" meant to desire to usurp another's entire social and economic standing.

• you shall not covet your neighbor's wife: The explicit mention of the wife again, after "house" (which could implicitly include her), particularly distinguishes her value and the sacredness of the marital bond. While in the broader ancient Near East, women might be considered property, the Law here gives specific protection, recognizing her distinct status and relationship within the family, beyond mere chattel. The separation here hints at the deeper significance of spousal relationships within the community, reinforcing the previous commandment against adultery. It emphasizes that a wife is not merely a possession. (Note: Deut 5:21 lists "wife" before "house", potentially reflecting different emphasis or evolution in legal teaching.)

• or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor's: This comprehensive enumeration extends the prohibition to every conceivable possession and means of livelihood.

  • Male servant / Female servant: Refers to indentured laborers or bondservants, integral to the household's functionality and economy.
  • Ox / Donkey: Key livestock for agriculture, transportation, and labor, essential to the neighbor's economic productivity and sustenance.
  • Anything that is your neighbor's: This catch-all phrase ensures the commandment is exhaustive, preventing any loopholes and emphasizing that any form of illicit desire for what rightfully belongs to another is forbidden. It protects the entire scope of a person's security, sustenance, and peace.

Exodus 20 17 Bonus section

This commandment cannot be fully enforced by human legal systems because it deals with a hidden state of mind. It primarily serves as a divine standard for the human conscience and a guide for moral living. Its placement as the final commandment may also suggest it acts as a gatekeeper, as yielding to covetous desires can pave the way for breaking all the preceding commands concerning one's neighbor. In the New Testament, particularly by Paul, covetousness is explicitly equated with idolatry (Col 3:5), implying that when one craves another's possessions, one effectively worships those desires and things rather than God, placing creation before the Creator. This prohibition calls for a radical spiritual transformation—a change of heart that only God can bring about, writing His law upon the heart (Jer 31:33).

Exodus 20 17 Commentary

The Tenth Commandment stands apart by addressing the deepest impulses of the human heart rather than merely external actions. It is unique in its focus on the internal disposition, revealing God's demand for purity not only in conduct but also in thought and motivation. This commandment teaches that sin begins not with the physical act, but with the unlawful desire brewing in the heart.

By prohibiting covetousness, God strikes at the root of many other transgressions. Illicit desire can easily lead to theft (if one covets property), adultery (if one covets a spouse), or even violence if frustration or anger escalates from unfulfilled longing. Thus, the tenth commandment acts as a protective boundary for all the others concerning neighborly relations. It fosters a spirit of contentment and gratitude for what one has, diverting focus from others' possessions to appreciating God's provision. It also underscores that true righteousness requires an internal transformation that goes beyond outward compliance, a principle fully elaborated in the New Testament (e.g., Jesus's teachings in the Sermon on the Mount, Paul's discussion of the Law's function in Romans). Ultimately, this command encourages a posture of trust in God's provision and respect for the rights and blessings of one's neighbor.

Practical Examples:

• Instead of resenting a colleague's promotion, celebrate their success and focus on developing your own skills.
• Instead of wishing you had your friend's car or house, be grateful for what you have and manage it well.
• Resist the urge to excessively compare your possessions or life circumstances with others', nurturing contentment.