Exodus 20:15

KJV

Thou shalt not steal.

KJV (with Strong's)

Thou shalt not steal {H1589}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"Do not steal.

Berean Standard Bible

You shall not steal.

American Standard Version

Thou shalt not steal.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 20:15 presents the eighth of the Ten Commandments, a concise yet profound prohibition: "Thou shalt not steal." This foundational decree establishes the sanctity of private property and the inherent right of individuals to the fruits of their labor, serving as a cornerstone for justice, integrity, and social order within the covenant community God was forming. Far from a mere legal injunction, it reflects God's character as a God of order and equity, calling His people to live with honesty and respect for their neighbors' possessions and dignity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Exodus 20:15 is situated within the Decalogue, the foundational moral and ethical framework delivered by God to Israel at Mount Sinai. Following the commandments that define humanity's relationship with God (Exodus 20:1-11), the subsequent commands (Exodus 20:12-17) delineate proper human-to-human relationships, fostering a just and stable society. Specifically, "Thou shalt not steal" is nestled between the prohibition against false witness (Exodus 20:16) and coveting (Exodus 20:17), highlighting a logical progression from respecting life and relationships to respecting property and the inner disposition towards it. It forms part of a cluster of laws designed to protect the fundamental rights and well-being of individuals within the community, including life, marriage, reputation, and property.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The giving of the Ten Commandments occurred shortly after Israel's liberation from centuries of slavery in Egypt, where they possessed no property rights and were themselves treated as property. God was establishing a new society, a "kingdom of priests and a holy nation" (Exodus 19:6), founded on principles of justice, equity, and mutual respect, starkly contrasting with the oppressive systems they had left behind. In ancient Near Eastern societies, property—especially land, livestock, and household goods—was intrinsically linked to family livelihood, social status, and economic stability. Theft, therefore, was not merely an economic offense but an attack on a person's dignity, security, and often their very means of survival. The prohibition against stealing also implicitly includes the most egregious form of "theft"—kidnapping a person, particularly for sale into slavery, which was a capital offense in Israelite law (see [Deuteronomy 24:7](/deuteronomy/24-7 "Deuteronomy 24:7 - Kidnapping as a Capital Offense")). This commandment thus laid the groundwork for a society where individual rights, particularly property rights, were divinely sanctioned and protected.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Steal (Hebrew, _gānab'_):** The Hebrew verb גָּנַב ( _gānab_ ) is a broad term encompassing various forms of illicit taking. It primarily refers to taking something belonging to another by stealth, secretly, or by fraudulent means, without the owner's knowledge or consent. This includes not only petty theft of physical goods but also more serious offenses like embezzlement, fraud, and even, as seen in other legal texts, the kidnapping of a person (e.g., [Exodus 21:16](/exodus/21-16 "Exodus 21:16 - Kidnapping Law")). The simplicity of the command "Thou shalt not steal" (לֹא תִּגְנֹב, _lo’ tignōv_) underscores its directness and universal applicability, prohibiting any act that unjustly deprives another of their rightful possessions or person.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thou shalt not steal":** This concise, apodictic command is a direct, unconditional prohibition. It establishes a fundamental boundary for human behavior, affirming the right to private property and condemning any act that violates this right. Implicit in this command is the recognition that God is the ultimate owner of all things, and human ownership is a stewardship. Therefore, stealing is not merely an offense against a neighbor but an offense against God's established order and His character of justice. This command also implies the value of honest labor, as theft undermines the effort and investment a person puts into acquiring and maintaining their possessions.

#### Literary Devices
The command "Thou shalt not steal" employs **Apodictic Law**, a direct and absolute prohibition, characteristic of the Decalogue's foundational nature. Its **Brevity** and **Conciseness** contribute to its memorability and universal applicability, making its meaning immediately clear and leaving no room for ambiguity regarding the core principle. The command functions as a **Foundation** or **Principle**, establishing a bedrock ethical standard from which more specific laws concerning property rights, restitution, and economic justice would later derive throughout the Pentateuch. It also serves as a form of **Social Contract**, implicitly outlining a basic expectation for trust and integrity within the community, without which societal cohesion would crumble.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The prohibition against stealing is deeply rooted in God's character and His vision for a just society. It reflects His sovereignty over creation and His design for humanity to live in ordered community, respecting one another's dignity and labor. Theft is an act of injustice that violates the divinely ordained boundaries of personal property and undermines the trust essential for healthy relationships. Theologically, it is an affront to God's provision and a manifestation of covetousness, seeking to gain by illicit means what God has not legitimately provided. This commandment calls believers to embody God's righteousness, promoting equity, honesty, and generosity in all their dealings, recognizing that true security and abundance come from God, not from illicit gain.

* [Leviticus 19:11](/leviticus/19-11 "Leviticus 19:11 - Do Not Steal, Lie, or Deceive")
* [Ephesians 4:28](/ephesians/4-28 "Ephesians 4:28 - Work Honestly and Share Generously")
* [Proverbs 11:1](/proverbs/11-1 "Proverbs 11:1 - Dishonest Scales are an Abomination to the Lord")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The command "Thou shalt not steal" extends far beyond the literal taking of physical objects. In contemporary life, its implications are vast, challenging us to examine our integrity in every sphere. It calls us to honesty in financial dealings, condemning fraud, embezzlement, tax evasion, and unfair business practices. It addresses intellectual property, urging respect for copyrights, patents, and original ideas, and prohibiting plagiarism or unauthorized use. Furthermore, it speaks to the responsible use of time and resources—whether an employer's time, company assets, or even the misuse of public funds—reminding us that wasting or misusing what belongs to another is a form of theft. Ultimately, this commandment probes the heart, urging us to root out covetousness (as highlighted in [Exodus 20:17](/exodus/20-17 "Exodus 20:17 - The Commandment Not to Covet")), which often fuels the desire to take what is not ours. It compels us to cultivate a spirit of contentment, honest labor, and generosity, building a society founded on trust and mutual respect, reflecting God's just character.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **Beyond physical objects, in what subtle ways might I be "stealing" from others (e.g., time, reputation, intellectual property, resources)?**
* **How does the underlying motive of covetousness (desire for what belongs to another) contribute to acts of theft, and how can I address this in my own heart?**
* **In what ways can I actively promote justice and discourage dishonest practices in my community or workplace, reflecting the spirit of this commandment?**
* **How does my commitment to honest labor and generosity demonstrate trust in God's provision rather than relying on illicit gain?**

### FAQ
**Does "Thou shalt not steal" only refer to physical theft, or does it have broader implications?**

Answer: While the most direct interpretation refers to the physical taking of another's property without permission, the principle of "Thou shalt not steal" has much broader implications. The Hebrew word _gānab_ (גָּנַב) can encompass various forms of illicit acquisition, including taking by stealth, fraud, or even kidnapping a person (as seen in [Exodus 21:16](/exodus/21-16 "Exodus 21:16 - Kidnapping Law")). In modern application, this commandment extends to financial misconduct (e.g., embezzlement, tax evasion, fraud), intellectual property theft (e.g., plagiarism, illegal downloading), misuse of resources (e.g., wasting an employer's time, misusing company assets), and any form of deception designed to gain an unfair advantage or illicitly acquire something from another. The spirit of the law calls for integrity, honesty, and respect for the rights and dignity of others in all dealings.

**What is the relationship between "Thou shalt not steal" and "Thou shalt not covet" (Exodus 20:17)?**

Answer: The commandments "Thou shalt not steal" (Exodus 20:15) and "Thou shalt not covet" (Exodus 20:17) are closely related, representing the external action and the internal desire, respectively. "Thou shalt not steal" prohibits the outward act of unlawfully taking what belongs to another. In contrast, "Thou shalt not covet" addresses the inward sinful desire or longing for what belongs to someone else. Covetousness is often the root sin that motivates theft and other forms of injustice. Jesus emphasized the importance of the heart in fulfilling the law, stating that even sinful thoughts can be a violation of God's commands (e.g., [Matthew 5:28](/matthew/5-28 "Matthew 5:28 - Lust of the Heart")). Therefore, while stealing is the action, coveting is the underlying attitude that God also condemns, calling for purity of heart as well as righteous behavior.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The command "Thou shalt not steal" finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in Jesus Christ, who perfectly embodied and radically reinterpreted the Law. While He never literally stole, His life and ministry profoundly demonstrate the opposite of theft: self-giving, generosity, and ultimate sacrifice. Jesus consistently taught against the accumulation of earthly treasures and the greed that often motivates theft, urging His followers instead to "store up for yourselves treasures in heaven" ([Matthew 6:19-21](/matthew/6-19 "Matthew 6:19-21 - Treasures in Heaven")). He challenged the heart behind the action, revealing that even covetousness, the internal desire for what is not ours, is a sin ([Mark 7:21-23](/mark/7-21 "Mark 7:21-23 - What Defiles a Person")). Moreover, Christ's entire mission was an act of divine restitution and ultimate generosity: He, who was rich, became poor for our sake, that we through His poverty might become rich ([2 Corinthians 8:9](/2_corinthians/8-9 "2 Corinthians 8:9 - Christ's Generosity")). He did not take from humanity, but rather gave His very life as the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), paying the debt we could not. Believers, transformed by Christ, are called to reflect His character, not only refraining from theft but actively laboring honestly so they may have "something to share with anyone in need" ([Ephesians 4:28](/ephesians/4-28 "Ephesians 4:28 - Work Honestly and Share Generously")), thus fulfilling the law through love and self-giving, just as Christ did.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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.

Ephesians 4:28

Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with [his] hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

Leviticus 19:11

¶ Ye shall not steal, neither deal falsely, neither lie one to another.

Leviticus 19:13

Thou shalt not defraud thy neighbour, neither rob [him]: the wages of him that is hired shall not abide with thee all night until the morning.

Matthew 19:18

He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,

1 Corinthians 6:10

Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

Leviticus 6:1

¶ And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,