Exodus 20:17

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 20:17 presents the Tenth Commandment, a unique and profound directive within the Decalogue that delves into the realm of the heart, focusing on internal desires rather than solely outward actions. It explicitly forbids coveting a neighbor's house, wife, servants, or any possession, thereby revealing God's concern for the inner disposition of His people and establishing a standard of righteousness that extends beyond mere external conformity to encompass the very root of sin: illicit desire.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the culminating commandment in the Decalogue, the foundational moral and ethical law given by God to Israel at Mount Sinai, beginning in [Exodus 20:1](/exodus/20 "Exodus 20:1 - The Ten Commandments"). While the preceding nine commandments largely address overt actions—such as murder, theft, or adultery—the prohibition against coveting shifts the focus from external behavior to internal disposition. It acts as a profound theological capstone, demonstrating that God's law is not merely a set of rules for public conduct but a comprehensive guide for the purity of the human heart and mind, revealing that sin originates in illicit desire before manifesting in outward acts. This internal focus sets the Tenth Commandment apart and highlights the holistic nature of God's demands for His covenant people.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Given within the framework of the [Mosaic Covenant](/exodus/19-5 "Exodus 19:5 - The Covenant at Sinai"), this commandment was addressed to an agrarian, communal society where a neighbor's well-being and property were intrinsically linked to the stability of the community. "Neighbor" (Hebrew: *rea'*) refers to anyone within the community, emphasizing the social fabric. The items listed—house, wife, manservant, maidservant, ox, ass—represent the essential components of a household's wealth, status, and productive capacity in ancient Israel. A "house" encompassed the entire household, including family and possessions. The specific mention of the "wife" underscores her vital role within the household structure, distinct from mere property, yet included in the list of things one might illicitly desire. The inclusion of servants and livestock highlights the economic realities and the importance of respecting the means by which a family sustained itself. This command protected the integrity of the family unit and the economic stability of the community by forbidding the internal desire that could lead to theft, adultery, or other violations of the preceding commandments.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Covet (Hebrew, _chamad'_):** The Hebrew verb חָמַד (*chamad*) signifies a strong, passionate desire, often with an underlying sense of longing or craving. While *chamad* can be used in a positive sense elsewhere in Scripture (e.g., to describe something beautiful or desirable, as in [Psalm 19:10](/psalms/19-10 "Psalm 19:10 - More to be desired are they than gold")), in the context of the Tenth Commandment, it carries a distinctly negative connotation. It implies an illicit, possessive, and often envious longing for something that rightfully belongs to another, leading to discontent, dissatisfaction, and potentially, the transgression of other commandments. It is more than a fleeting thought or admiration; it is an intense, consuming desire that seeks to appropriate or seize what is not one's own.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house":** This initial prohibition sets the tone, encompassing the entirety of a neighbor's household, including their family, property, and everything contained within. The "house" (Hebrew: *bayit*) in this context represents the complete domestic unit and its associated possessions, symbolizing security, status, and provision. To covet it is to desire the entire sphere of another's life.
* **"thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife":** Singling out the "wife" within the list underscores her unique and sacred position. While she is part of the "house," her specific mention highlights the gravity of desiring another's spouse, which is the internal precursor to adultery (forbidden in [Exodus 20:14](/exodus/20-14 "Exodus 20:14 - The Seventh Commandment")). This emphasizes the sanctity of marriage and the personal integrity of the individual.
* **"nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass":** This enumeration details various forms of property and productive assets crucial to an ancient Israelite household. Servants were part of the household's labor force, and livestock (oxen for plowing, asses for transport) were essential for agriculture and daily life. Coveting these items directly undermines a neighbor's livelihood and economic stability, reflecting a desire to gain at another's expense.
* **"nor any thing that [is] thy neighbour's":** This concluding phrase serves as an all-encompassing summary, broadening the scope of the commandment beyond the specific items listed. It ensures that the prohibition against coveting applies to *anything* and *everything* that belongs to one's neighbor, leaving no loophole. This universal application reinforces the principle that illicit desire for another's possessions, regardless of their nature, is forbidden by God.

#### Literary Devices
Exodus 20:17 employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound message. The most prominent is **Enumeration**, where a list of specific items (house, wife, manservant, maidservant, ox, ass) is provided, followed by an overarching summary ("nor any thing that is thy neighbour's"). This technique serves to illustrate the breadth of what might be coveted, moving from the most significant (the household itself, including the wife) to various forms of property, before culminating in a comprehensive statement. This creates a sense of **Completeness** and **Exhaustiveness**, ensuring that no potential object of illicit desire is overlooked. The **Repetition** of "thou shalt not covet" emphasizes the central prohibition and its gravity, underscoring God's absolute stance against this internal sin. Furthermore, the commandment represents a **Thematic Shift** within the Decalogue, moving from external, observable actions (murder, theft) to the internal realm of thoughts and desires, thereby highlighting God's concern for the heart and the root causes of sin. This internal focus reveals the depth of God's moral law, which penetrates beyond outward conformity to the very intentions of the human spirit.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The Tenth Commandment profoundly reveals God's concern for the inner life and the spiritual purity of His people. It establishes that sin is not merely an outward act but originates in the heart, in the illicit desire for what belongs to another. This command implicitly calls for contentment, gratitude, and trust in God's provision, while simultaneously safeguarding the rights and well-being of one's neighbor. It teaches that true righteousness involves not only refraining from harmful actions but also cultivating a heart free from envy, greed, and discontent, recognizing that covetousness is a form of idolatry, placing created things or desires above the Creator.

* [Colossians 3:5](/colossians/3-5 "Colossians 3:5 - Put to death what is earthly in you")
* [Luke 12:15](/luke/12-15 "Luke 12:15 - Beware of all covetousness")
* [Romans 7:7](/romans/7-7 "Romans 7:7 - The Law and Sin")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 20:17 remains profoundly relevant for believers today, challenging us to a deeper level of self-examination and spiritual discipline. In a world saturated with consumerism, social comparison, and the constant display of others' perceived successes, the temptation to covet is ever-present. This commandment calls us to guard our hearts diligently, recognizing that our thoughts and desires are as important to God as our outward actions. It invites us to cultivate a spirit of contentment with what God has provided, to practice gratitude, and to trust in His sovereign provision rather than perpetually longing for what is outside our rightful possession. By addressing the root of sin, it encourages us to seek inner purity and to align our desires with God's will, fostering genuine love and respect for our neighbors and their blessings.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life do I struggle with discontentment or a longing for what others possess?**
* **How does the Tenth Commandment challenge my understanding of sin, moving beyond mere actions to the intentions of the heart?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate a spirit of gratitude and contentment in my daily life?**
* **How might covetousness manifest itself in modern society, and how can I actively resist its influence?**

### FAQ
**Why is coveting considered such a serious sin, on par with actions like murder or theft?**

Answer: Coveting is considered a serious sin because it is the internal root from which many other outward sins spring. While the preceding nine commandments forbid specific actions (e.g., murder, adultery, theft), the Tenth Commandment targets the illicit desire that often precedes and motivates these actions. Jesus Himself taught that sin begins in the heart, as seen in [Matthew 5:28](/matthew/5-28 "Matthew 5:28 - Lust and Adultery"), where He equates lustful looking with committing adultery in the heart. Covetousness is a fundamental breach of trust in God's provision and a violation of love for one's neighbor, as it desires what rightfully belongs to another. It can also be a form of idolatry, as it places an inordinate desire for created things above God's will and provision, as noted in [Colossians 3:5](/colossians/3-5 "Colossians 3:5 - Covetousness is idolatry"). By addressing the heart, God reveals the comprehensive nature of His holiness and the depth of human sinfulness.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The Tenth Commandment finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in Jesus Christ. While the Law identifies sin, Christ provides the perfect standard and the means for its overcoming. Jesus, in His Sermon on the Mount, profoundly expanded upon the Law's internal demands, teaching that righteousness extends beyond external conformity to the purity of the heart. His words in [Matthew 5:28](/matthew/5-28 "Matthew 5:28 - Jesus on Lust") regarding lust, and [Matthew 5:22](/matthew/5-22 "Matthew 5:22 - Jesus on Anger"), regarding anger, directly parallel the Tenth Commandment's focus on the inner disposition, demonstrating that the spirit of the law targets the root of sin. Christ perfectly fulfilled this commandment by living a life utterly devoid of covetousness, always content in His Father's will and provision, never desiring what was not His. Furthermore, through His atoning work on the cross, He addresses the very sin nature that produces covetousness, offering forgiveness and the transformative power of the Holy Spirit to renew our hearts. Believers are called to "put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires" ([Romans 13:14](/romans/13-14 "Romans 13:14 - Put on Christ")), enabling them to live lives of contentment and generosity, reflecting the self-giving love of Christ rather than the grasping nature of covetousness. The ultimate antidote to covetousness is finding our complete satisfaction and treasure in Christ alone, as He is the true and lasting provision for all our needs ([Philippians 4:19](/philippians/4-19 "Philippians 4:19 - God will supply all your needs")).

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.

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.