King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
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.
Complete Jewish Bible:
"Do not covet your neighbor's house; do not covet your neighbor's wife, his male or female slave, his ox, his donkey or anything that belongs to your neighbor."
Berean Standard Bible:
You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, or his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”
American Standard Version:
Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife, nor his man-servant, nor his maid-servant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor anything that is thy neighbor’s.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Thou shalt not covet{H2530} thy neighbour's{H7453} house{H1004}, thou shalt not covet{H2530} thy neighbour's{H7453} wife{H802}, nor his manservant{H5650}, nor his maidservant{H519}, nor his ox{H7794}, nor his ass{H2543}, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's{H7453}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Romans 13:9
- For 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 12:15
- And 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 13:5
- [Let 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 3:5
- ¶ Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
Ephesians 5:5
- For 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 7:7
- ¶ What 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.
Matthew 5:28
- But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Exodus 20:17
Exodus 20:17 is part of the Ten Commandments, which are foundational moral and religious laws in Judaism and Christianity. This particular commandment, "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," addresses the internal disposition of desire and envy. It forbids the lustful longing for possessions, relationships, or status that belongs to another, emphasizing the importance of contentment and respect for the property and relationships of others.
In its historical context, the commandment reflects the agrarian society of ancient Israel, where the household and its assets—including livestock (ox and ass) and servants—were central to one's social and economic standing. By prohibiting covetousness, the commandment seeks to prevent the societal breakdown that envy and jealousy can cause, promoting instead a community ethic of trust, mutual respect, and peaceful coexistence.
Theologically, this commandment is significant because it extends the scope of moral obligation beyond actions to the thoughts and desires of the heart. It underscores the idea that ethical living involves not only outward behavior but also inward purity and the cultivation of a virtuous character. In Christian theology, Jesus later expands on this commandment in the Sermon on the Mount, intensifying its application to the inner life of believers.
In summary, Exodus 20:17, as the final commandment of the Decalogue, calls for a profound respect for the belongings and relationships of others, warning against the corrosive effects of envy. It encourages a heart posture of thankfulness and a life that honors God through respecting the boundaries and dignity of one's neighbor.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H2530
There are 20 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חָמַד
Transliteration: châmad
Pronunciation: khaw-mad'
Description: a primitive root; to delight in; beauty, greatly beloved, covet, delectable thing, ([idiom] great) delight, desire, goodly, lust, (be) pleasant (thing), precious (thing). - Strong's Number: H7453
There are 173 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רֵעַ
Transliteration: rêaʻ
Pronunciation: ray'-ah
Description: or רֵיעַ; from רָעָה; an associate (more or less close); brother, companion, fellow, friend, husband, lover, neighbour, [idiom] (an-) other. - Strong's Number: H1004
There are 1718 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בַּיִת
Transliteration: bayith
Pronunciation: bah'-yith
Description: probably from בָּנָה abbreviated; a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.); court, daughter, door, [phrase] dungeon, family, [phrase] forth of, [idiom] great as would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter) house(-hold), inside(-ward), palace, place, [phrase] prison, [phrase] steward, [phrase] tablet, temple, web, [phrase] within(-out). - Strong's Number: H802
There are 729 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אִשָּׁה
Transliteration: ʼishshâh
Pronunciation: ish-shaw'
Description: feminine of אִישׁ or אֱנוֹשׁ; irregular plural, נָשִׁים;(used in the same wide sense as אֱנוֹשׁ); a woman; (adulter) ess, each, every, female, [idiom] many, [phrase] none, one, [phrase] together, wife, woman. Often unexpressed in English. - Strong's Number: H5650
There are 714 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עֶבֶד
Transliteration: ʻebed
Pronunciation: eh'-bed
Description: from עָבַד; a servant; [idiom] bondage, bondman, (bond-) servant, (man-) servant. - Strong's Number: H519
There are 134 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָמָה
Transliteration: ʼâmâh
Pronunciation: aw-maw'
Description: apparently a primitive word; a maidservant or female slave; (hand-) bondmaid(-woman), maid(-servant). - Strong's Number: H7794
There are 69 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שׁוֹר
Transliteration: shôwr
Pronunciation: shore
Description: from שׁוּר; a bullock (as a traveller); bull(-ock), cow, ox, wall (by mistake for שׁוּר). - Strong's Number: H2543
There are 93 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חֲמוֹר
Transliteration: chămôwr
Pronunciation: kham-ore'
Description: or (shortened) חֲמֹר; from חָמַר; a male ass (from its dun red); (he) ass.