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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." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/exodus/20-17.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/exodus/20-17.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/exodus/">Exodus</a> > <a href="/exodus/20.htm">Chapter 20</a> > Verse 17</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad17.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/exodus/20-16.htm" title="Exodus 20:16">◄</a> Exodus 20:17 <a href="/exodus/20-18.htm" title="Exodus 20:18">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/exodus/20.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/exodus/20.htm">New International Version</a> &#8220You shall not covet your neighbor&#8217s house. You shall not covet your neighbor&#8217s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.&#8221 <a href="/nlt/exodus/20.htm">New Living Translation</a> “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.” <a href="/esv/exodus/20.htm">English Standard Version</a> “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.” <a href="/bsb/exodus/20.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> 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.” <a href="/kjv/exodus/20.htm">King James Bible</a> 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. <a href="/nkjv/exodus/20.htm">New King James Version</a> “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.” <a href="/nasb_/exodus/20.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male slave, or his female slave, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” <a href="/nasb/exodus/20.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220You shall not covet your neighbor&#8217s house; you shall not covet your neighbor&#8217s wife or his male servant or his female servant or his ox or his donkey or anything that belongs to your neighbor.&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/exodus/20.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “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 belongs to your neighbor.” <a href="/lsb/exodus/20.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife or his male slave or his female slave or his ox or his donkey or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” <a href="/amp/exodus/20.htm">Amplified Bible</a> “You shall not covet [that is, selfishly desire and attempt to acquire] 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 belongs to your neighbor.” <a href="/csb/exodus/20.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Do not covet your neighbor’s house. Do not covet your neighbor’s wife, his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor. <a href="/hcsb/exodus/20.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Do not covet your neighbor&#8217s house. Do not covet your neighbor&#8217s wife, his male or female slave, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor. <a href="/asv/exodus/20.htm">American Standard Version</a> 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. <a href="/cev/exodus/20.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Do not desire to possess anything that belongs to another person--not a house, a wife, a husband, a slave, an ox, a donkey, or anything else. <a href="/erv/exodus/20.htm">English Revised Version</a> 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. <a href="/gwt/exodus/20.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> "Never desire to take your neighbor's household away from him. "Never desire to take your neighbor's wife, his male or female slave, his ox, his donkey, or anything else that belongs to him." <a href="/gnt/exodus/20.htm">Good News Translation</a> "Do not desire another man's house; do not desire his wife, his slaves, his cattle, his donkeys, or anything else that he owns." <a href="/isv/exodus/20.htm">International Standard Version</a> "You are not to covet your neighbor's house. You are not to covet your neighbor's wife, his male or female servant, his ox, his donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor." <a href="/msb/exodus/20.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> 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.? <a href="/net/exodus/20.htm">NET Bible</a> "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 belongs to your neighbor." <a href="/nheb/exodus/20.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> "Do not covet your neighbor's house. Do 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." <a href="/wbt/exodus/20.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> 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 any thing that is thy neighbor's. <a href="/web/exodus/20.htm">World English Bible</a> “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.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/exodus/20.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> You do not desire the house of your neighbor, you do not desire the wife of your neighbor, or his manservant, or his handmaid, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything which [is] your neighbor’s.” <a href="/ylt/exodus/20.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> Thou dost not desire the house of thy neighbour, thou dost not desire the wife of thy neighbour, or his man-servant, or his handmaid, or his ox, or his ass, or anything which is thy neighbour's.' <a href="/slt/exodus/20.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Thou shalt not desire thy friend's house, thou shalt not desire thy friend's wife, and his servant and his maid and his ox and his ass and all which is to thy friend.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/exodus/20.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house: neither shalt thou desire his wife, nor his servant, nor his handmaid, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is his. <a href="/cpdv/exodus/20.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> You shall not covet the house of your neighbor; neither shall you desire his wife, nor male servant, nor female servant, nor ox, nor donkey, nor anything that is his.” <a href="/nabre/exodus/20.htm">New American Bible</a> You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, his male or female slave, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor. <a href="/nrsvce/exodus/20.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or male or female slave, or ox, or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/exodus/20.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> You shall not covet your neighbor's house, you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor anything that is your neighbor's. <a href="/hpbt/exodus/20.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> You shall not lust for the house of your neighbor; you shall not lust for the wife of your neighbor or his Servant or his Maid Servant or his ox or his donkey or anything that is your neighbor’s.<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/exodus/20.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house; thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his man-servant, nor his maid-servant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's. <a href="/sep/exodus/20.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife; thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house; nor his field, nor his servant, nor his maid, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any of his cattle, nor whatever belongs to thy neighbour. <a href="/parallel/exodus/20-17.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kVae3PiKqhs?start=5051" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/exodus/20.htm">The Ten Commandments</a> …16You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. 17<a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">You shall not</a> <a href="/hebrew/2530.htm" title="2530: ṯaḥ·mōḏ (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms) -- To desire, take pleasure in. A primitive root; to delight in.">covet</a> <a href="/hebrew/7453.htm" title="7453: rê·‘e·ḵā (N-msc:: 2ms) -- Friend, companion, fellow. Or reya2; from ra'ah; an associate.">your neighbor’s</a> <a href="/hebrew/1004.htm" title="1004: bêṯ (N-msc) -- A house. Probably from banah abbreviated; a house.">house.</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō- (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">You shall not</a> <a href="/hebrew/2530.htm" title="2530: ṯaḥ·mōḏ (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms) -- To desire, take pleasure in. A primitive root; to delight in.">covet</a> <a href="/hebrew/7453.htm" title="7453: rê·‘e·ḵā (N-msc:: 2ms) -- Friend, companion, fellow. Or reya2; from ra'ah; an associate.">your neighbor’s</a> <a href="/hebrew/802.htm" title="802: ’ê·šeṯ (N-fsc) -- Woman, wife, female. Feminine of 'iysh or 'enowsh; irregular plural, nashiym; a woman.">wife,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5650.htm" title="5650: wə·‘aḇ·dōw (Conj-w:: N-msc:: 3ms) -- Slave, servant. From abad; a servant.">or his manservant</a> <a href="/hebrew/519.htm" title="519: wa·’ă·mā·ṯōw (Conj-w:: N-fsc:: 3ms) -- A maid, handmaid. Apparently a primitive word; a maid-servant or female slave.">or maidservant,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7794.htm" title="7794: wə·šō·w·rōw (Conj-w:: N-msc:: 3ms) -- A head of cattle (bullock, ox, etc.). From shuwr; a bullock.">or his ox</a> <a href="/hebrew/2543.htm" title="2543: wa·ḥă·mō·rōw (Conj-w:: N-msc:: 3ms) -- A male ass. Or chamor; from chamar; a male ass.">or donkey,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: wə·ḵōl (Conj-w:: N-ms) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">or anything</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">that</a> <a href="/hebrew/7453.htm" title="7453: lə·rê·‘e·ḵā (Prep-l:: N-msc:: 2ms) -- Friend, companion, fellow. Or reya2; from ra'ah; an associate.">belongs to your neighbor.”</a> <div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/deuteronomy/5-21.htm">Deuteronomy 5:21</a> You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife. You shall not covet your neighbor’s house or field, or his manservant or maidservant, or his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” <a href="/romans/7-7.htm">Romans 7:7</a> What then shall we say? Is the law sin? Certainly not! Indeed, I would not have been mindful of sin if not for the law. For I would not have been aware of coveting if the law had not said, “Do not covet.” <a href="/james/4-2.htm">James 4:2</a> You crave what you do not have; you kill and covet, but are unable to obtain it. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask. <a href="/luke/12-15.htm">Luke 12:15</a> And He said to them, “Watch out! Guard yourselves against every form of greed, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” <a href="/1_timothy/6-9.htm">1 Timothy 6:9-10</a> Those who want to be rich, however, fall into temptation and become ensnared by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. / For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows. <a href="/matthew/5-28.htm">Matthew 5:28</a> But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. <a href="/colossians/3-5.htm">Colossians 3:5</a> Put to death, therefore, the components of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry. <a href="/1_corinthians/6-10.htm">1 Corinthians 6:10</a> nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor verbal abusers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. <a href="/ephesians/5-3.htm">Ephesians 5:3</a> But among you, as is proper among the saints, there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed. <a href="/hebrews/13-5.htm">Hebrews 13:5</a> Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for God has said: “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.” <a href="/micah/2-2.htm">Micah 2:2</a> They covet fields and seize them; they take away houses. They deprive a man of his home, a fellow man of his inheritance. <a href="/proverbs/21-26.htm">Proverbs 21:26</a> All day long he covets more, but the righteous give without restraint. <a href="/psalms/119-36.htm">Psalm 119:36</a> Turn my heart to Your testimonies and not to covetous gain. <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-10.htm">Ecclesiastes 5:10</a> He who loves money is never satisfied by money, and he who loves wealth is never satisfied by income. This too is futile. <a href="/isaiah/57-17.htm">Isaiah 57:17</a> I was enraged by his sinful greed, so I struck him and hid My face in anger; yet he kept turning back to the desires of his heart.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>You shall not covet your neighbor's house, you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is your neighbor's.thy neighbour's house<a href="/genesis/3-6.htm">Genesis 3:6</a> And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.<a href="/genesis/14-23.htm">Genesis 14:23</a> That I will not take from a thread even to a shoelatchet, and that I will not take any thing that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich:<a href="/genesis/34-23.htm">Genesis 34:23</a> Shall not their cattle and their substance and every beast of theirs be ours? only let us consent unto them, and they will dwell with us.wife<a href="/2_samuel/11-2.htm">2 Samuel 11:2-5</a> And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon… <a href="/job/31-1.htm">Job 31:1,9</a> I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid? … <a href="/proverbs/4-23.htm">Proverbs 4:23</a> Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.is thy neighbour's<a href="/matthew/20-15.htm">Matthew 20:15</a> Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?<a href="/acts/5-4.htm">Acts 5:4</a> Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/proverbs/6-6.htm">Ant</a> <a href="/exodus/13-13.htm">Ass</a> <a href="/exodus/13-2.htm">Belongs</a> <a href="/exodus/14-31.htm">Bondman</a> <a href="/james/4-2.htm">Covet</a> <a href="/exodus/15-9.htm">Desire</a> <a href="/exodus/13-13.htm">Donkey</a> <a href="/exodus/20-10.htm">Female</a> <a href="/exodus/2-5.htm">Handmaid</a> <a href="/exodus/20-2.htm">House</a> <a href="/exodus/20-10.htm">Maidservant</a> <a href="/exodus/20-10.htm">Maid-Servant</a> <a href="/exodus/20-10.htm">Male</a> <a href="/exodus/20-10.htm">Manservant</a> <a href="/exodus/20-10.htm">Man-Servant</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/10-24.htm">Neighbor's</a> <a href="/james/4-12.htm">Neighbour's</a> <a href="/genesis/49-22.htm">Ox</a> <a href="/exodus/20-10.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/exodus/16-10.htm">Turned</a> <a href="/exodus/18-6.htm">Wife</a> <a href="/luke/22-56.htm">Woman-Servant</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/proverbs/6-6.htm">Ant</a> <a href="/exodus/21-33.htm">Ass</a> <a href="/exodus/34-19.htm">Belongs</a> <a href="/exodus/21-2.htm">Bondman</a> <a href="/exodus/34-24.htm">Covet</a> <a href="/exodus/21-5.htm">Desire</a> <a href="/exodus/21-33.htm">Donkey</a> <a href="/exodus/21-7.htm">Female</a> <a href="/exodus/21-7.htm">Handmaid</a> <a href="/exodus/21-6.htm">House</a> <a href="/exodus/21-7.htm">Maidservant</a> <a href="/exodus/21-7.htm">Maid-Servant</a> <a href="/exodus/21-7.htm">Male</a> <a href="/exodus/21-26.htm">Manservant</a> <a href="/exodus/21-20.htm">Man-Servant</a> <a href="/exodus/22-7.htm">Neighbor's</a> <a href="/exodus/21-35.htm">Neighbour's</a> <a href="/exodus/21-28.htm">Ox</a> <a href="/exodus/21-2.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/exodus/23-3.htm">Turned</a> <a href="/exodus/21-3.htm">Wife</a> <a href="/exodus/21-20.htm">Woman-Servant</a><div class="vheading2">Exodus 20</div>1. <a href="/exodus/20-1.htm">The ten commandments are spoken by Jehovah</a> 18. <a href="/exodus/20-18.htm">The people are afraid, but Moses comforts them</a> 21. <a href="/exodus/20-21.htm">Idolatry is forbidden</a> 23. <a href="/exodus/20-23.htm">Of what sort the altar should be</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/exodus/20.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/exodus/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/exodus/20.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. This commandment addresses the inner desires and thoughts, emphasizing the importance of contentment and gratitude. In ancient Israel, a "house" represented not just a physical dwelling but the entire household and estate. The prohibition against coveting highlights the spiritual principle that sin begins in the heart. This aligns with Jesus' teaching in <a href="/matthew/5-28.htm">Matthew 5:28</a>, where He expands on the idea that sin is not just in actions but in thoughts and desires. The concept of coveting is also linked to the fall of man in <a href="/genesis/3.htm">Genesis 3</a>, where Eve's desire for the forbidden fruit led to disobedience.You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, This phrase underscores the sanctity of marriage and the importance of respecting the marital bond. In the cultural context of the time, women were often seen as part of a man's household, yet this commandment elevates the moral responsibility to honor and respect the marital relationship. The prohibition against coveting a neighbor's wife is echoed in the teachings of Jesus, who emphasized the seriousness of lustful thoughts in <a href="/matthew/5-27.htm">Matthew 5:27-28</a>. This commandment serves as a safeguard for the family unit, which is a foundational element of society.or his manservant or maidservant, In the ancient Near Eastern context, servants were considered part of a household's wealth and status. This commandment reflects the broader biblical principle of respecting the dignity and rights of all individuals, regardless of their social status. The inclusion of servants in this commandment indicates that coveting is not limited to material possessions but extends to people and relationships. This aligns with the New Testament teaching in <a href="/galatians/3-28.htm">Galatians 3:28</a>, which emphasizes equality and unity in Christ.or his ox or donkey, Oxen and donkeys were valuable assets in an agrarian society, essential for farming and transportation. Coveting these animals would indicate a desire for increased wealth and productivity at the expense of another's prosperity. This commandment encourages believers to trust in God's provision and to avoid the destructive nature of envy. The principle of contentment is further reinforced in <a href="/philippians/4-11.htm">Philippians 4:11-12</a>, where Paul speaks of being content in all circumstances.or anything that belongs to your neighbor. This final phrase serves as a comprehensive summary, covering all aspects of coveting. It emphasizes the importance of respecting others' property and being content with one's own possessions. The commandment against coveting is a call to cultivate a heart of gratitude and trust in God's provision. It is a reminder of the broader biblical theme of stewardship, where believers are called to manage their resources wisely and generously. This principle is echoed in <a href="/1_timothy/6-6.htm">1 Timothy 6:6-10</a>, which warns against the love of money and encourages godliness with contentment.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a> The leader of the Israelites who received the Ten Commandments from God on Mount Sinai. 2. <a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a> The chosen people of God who were delivered from slavery in Egypt and were given the Law to guide their conduct. 3. <a href="/topical/m/mount_sinai.htm">Mount Sinai</a> The mountain where God gave Moses the Ten Commandments, including the commandment against coveting. 4. <a href="/topical/n/neighbor.htm">Neighbor</a> In the context of this commandment, it refers to fellow members of the Israelite community and, by extension, anyone with whom one interacts. 5. <a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a> The divine lawgiver who establishes moral and ethical standards for His people.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/u/understanding_covetousness.htm">Understanding Covetousness</a> Covetousness is not merely a desire for what others have but an inordinate and selfish longing that can lead to other sins. <a href="/topical/g/guarding_the_heart.htm">Guarding the Heart</a> The commandment against coveting calls believers to examine their hearts and desires, aligning them with God's will. <a href="/topical/c/contentment_as_a_virtue.htm">Contentment as a Virtue</a> Cultivating contentment is a powerful antidote to covetousness, helping believers find satisfaction in God's provision. <a href="/topical/i/impact_on_relationships.htm">Impact on Relationships</a> Coveting can damage relationships by fostering envy and resentment; believers are called to love and rejoice with others. <a href="/topical/s/spiritual_focus.htm">Spiritual Focus</a> Redirecting desires towards spiritual growth and eternal treasures helps believers maintain a godly perspective.<a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/exodus/20.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(17) Thou shalt not covet.--This command seems to have been added in order to teach the general principle that the Law of God is concerned, not with acts and words only, but with the thoughts of the heart. Rightly understood, the seventh and eighth commandments contain the tenth, which strikes at covetousness and lustful desire. (Comp. <a href="/context/matthew/5-27.htm" title="You have heard that it was said by them of old time, You shall not commit adultery:">Matthew 5:27-28</a>.) But ancient moralists did not usually recognise this; thought, unless carried out into acts, was regarded as "free;" no responsibility was considered to attach to it, and consequently no one felt it needful to control his thoughts or regulate them. It was therefore of importance that the Divine Law should distinctly assert a control over men's thoughts and feelings, since they are the source of all that is evil in word and act; and true godliness consists in bringing "every thought into captivity to Christ" (<a href="/2_corinthians/10-5.htm" title="Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;">2Corinthians 10:5</a>).<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/exodus/20.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 17. - Thou shalt not covet. Here the Mosaic law takes a step enormously in advance of any other ancient code. Most codes stopped short at the deed; a few went on to words; not one attempted to control thoughts. "Thou shalt not covet" teaches men that there is One who sees the heart; to whose eyes "all things are naked and open;" and who cares far less for the outward act than the inward thought or motive from which the act proceeds. "Thou shalt not covet: lays it down again that we are not mere slaves of our natural desires and passions, but have a controlling power implanted within us, by means of which we can keep down passion, check desire, resist impulse. Man is lord of himself, capable, by the exercise of his free-will, of moulding his feelings, weakening or intensifying his passions, shaping his character. God, who "requires truth in the inward parts," looks that we should in all cases go to the root of the matter, and not be content with restraining ourselves from evil acts and evil words, but eradicate the evil feeling from which the acts and words proceed. Thy neighbours house, etc. The "house" is mentioned first as being of primary necessity, and as in some sort containing all the rest. A man does not take a wife until he has a home to bring her to, or engage domestic servants, or buy slaves, except to form part of a household. The other objects mentioned are placed in the order in which they are usually valued. The multiplication of objects is by way of emphasis. CHAPTER 20:18-21 <a href="/commentaries/exodus/20-17.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>You shall not לֹ֥א (lō) Adverb - Negative particle <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> Not, no covet תַחְמֹ֖ד (ṯaḥ·mōḏ) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2530.htm">Strong's 2530: </a> To desire, take pleasure in your neighbor’s רֵעֶ֑ךָ (rê·‘e·ḵā) Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7453.htm">Strong's 7453: </a> Friend, companion, fellow house. בֵּ֣ית (bêṯ) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1004.htm">Strong's 1004: </a> A house You shall not לֹֽא־ (lō-) Adverb - Negative particle <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> Not, no covet תַחְמֹ֞ד (ṯaḥ·mōḏ) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2530.htm">Strong's 2530: </a> To desire, take pleasure in your neighbor’s רֵעֶ֗ךָ (rê·‘e·ḵā) Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7453.htm">Strong's 7453: </a> Friend, companion, fellow wife, אֵ֣שֶׁת (’ê·šeṯ) Noun - feminine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_802.htm">Strong's 802: </a> Woman, wife, female or his manservant וְעַבְדּ֤וֹ (wə·‘aḇ·dōw) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5650.htm">Strong's 5650: </a> Slave, servant or maidservant, וַאֲמָתוֹ֙ (wa·’ă·mā·ṯōw) Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_519.htm">Strong's 519: </a> A maidservant, female slave or his ox וְשׁוֹר֣וֹ (wə·šō·w·rōw) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7794.htm">Strong's 7794: </a> A head of cattle (bullock, ox, etcetera) or donkey, וַחֲמֹר֔וֹ (wa·ḥă·mō·rōw) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2543.htm">Strong's 2543: </a> A male ass or anything וְכֹ֖ל (wə·ḵōl) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> The whole, all, any, every that אֲשֶׁ֥ר (’ă·šer) Pronoun - relative <a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that belongs to your neighbor. לְרֵעֶֽךָ׃ (lə·rê·‘e·ḵā) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7453.htm">Strong's 7453: </a> Friend, companion, fellow <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/exodus/20-17.htm">Exodus 20:17 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/exodus/20-17.htm">Exodus 20:17 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/exodus/20-17.htm">Exodus 20:17 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/exodus/20-17.htm">Exodus 20:17 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/exodus/20-17.htm">Exodus 20:17 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/exodus/20-17.htm">Exodus 20:17 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/exodus/20-17.htm">Exodus 20:17 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/exodus/20-17.htm">Exodus 20:17 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/exodus/20-17.htm">Exodus 20:17 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/exodus/20-17.htm">Exodus 20:17 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/exodus/20-17.htm">OT Law: Exodus 20:17 You shall not covet your neighbor's house (Exo. Ex) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/exodus/20-16.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Exodus 20:16"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Exodus 20:16" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/exodus/20-18.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Exodus 20:18"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Exodus 20:18" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>