Back to THE TORAH CONNECTION Table of Contents<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Covetousness is sometimes difficult to recognize and more difficult to personally admit. But it is a sin that God deemed serious enough to be proscribed in the Ten Commandments.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n There are several different Hebrew words that are translated into English as \u201ccovet,\u201d \u201ccovetous,\u201d etc:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n H2530 khaw-mad’<\/i>–to desire something because it is delightful or pleasant<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n H183 aw-vaw’–<\/i>to sigh in longing for something<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n H1215 beh’-tsah–<\/i>to desire plunder or unjust gain<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n In some of the following verses, the particular word is identified to help clarify what aspect of coveting is being referred to.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Exodus 20:17 Thou shalt not covet (H2530) 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. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Exo 18:21 Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness (H1215) ; and place <\/span><\/span>such<\/i><\/span><\/span> over them, <\/span><\/span>to be<\/i><\/span><\/span> rulers of thousands, <\/span><\/span>and<\/i><\/span><\/span> rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens: <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Deu 5:21 Neither shalt thou desire (H2530) thy neighbor’s wife, neither shalt thou covet (H183) thy neighbor’s house, his field, or his manservant, or his maidservant, his ox, or his ass, or any thing that is thy neighbor’s. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Covetousness in Bible history–<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Gen 3:6 Eve coveted the fruit because it was \u201ca tree to be desired (H2530) to make one wise\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Num 22:5-21 Balaam coveted the riches Balak offered for cursing Israel<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Jos 7:20, 21 Achan coveted (H2530) some things from Jericho<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n 2Sa 11:2-4 David coveted Bathsheba<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n 1Ki 21:1-4 Ahab coveted Naboth’s property<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n 2Ki 5:20 Gehazi coveted the silver Naaman offered Elisha<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Ecc 5:10-16 He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is<\/i> also vanity. When goods increase, they are increased that eat them: and what good is there<\/i> to the owners thereof, saving the beholding of them<\/i> with their eyes? The sleep of a labouring man is<\/i> sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep. There is a sore evil which<\/i> I have seen under the sun, namely,<\/i> riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt. But those riches perish by evil travail: and he begetteth a son, and there is<\/i> nothing in his hand. As he came forth of his mother’s womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labour, which he may carry away in his hand. And this also is<\/i> a sore evil, that<\/i> in all points as he came, so shall he go: and what profit hath he that hath laboured for the wind? <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Eze 33:31 And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as<\/i> my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but<\/i> their heart goeth after their covetousness (H1215). <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n There are also several Greek words that are translated as \u201ccovet,\u201d \u201ccovetous,\u201d etc.<\/span><\/p>\n G4123 pleh-on-ek’-tace–<\/i>greedy, eager to have more<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n G4124 pleh-on-ex-ee’-ah–<\/i>greediness<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n G1937 ep-ee-thoo-meh’-o–<\/i>to desire, crave, lust after<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n G1938 ep-ee-thoo-may-tace’<\/i>–a craver<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n G1939 ep-ee-thoo-mee’-ah–<\/i>a longing (esp. for what is forbidden)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n G3713 or-eg’-om-ahee–<\/i>to reach out after<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n G5365 fil-ar-goo-ree’-ah–<\/i>love of silver (money)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n G5366 fil-ar’-goo-ros–<\/i>to love silver (money)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n These words are identified in some of the following verses to help clarify the concept of covetousness and the seriousness of this sin.<\/span><\/p>\n Mat 19:16-24 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is<\/i> none good but one, that is,<\/i> God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. 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, Honour thy father and thy<\/i> mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and<\/i> sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and<\/i> follow me. But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions. Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Mat 6:24-34 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he<\/i> not much more clothe<\/i> you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is<\/i> the evil thereof. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Mar 7:20-23 And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Thefts, covetousness (G4124), wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Mar 10:17-25 And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is<\/i> none good but one, that is,<\/i> God. Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother. And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth. Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions. And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Luk 12:15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness (G4124): for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Luk 16:13, 14 No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. <\/span>And the Pharisees also, who were covetous (G5366), heard all these things: and they derided him. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Luk 18:18-25 And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is<\/i> good, save one, that is,<\/i> God. Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother. And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up. Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich. And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Act 20:33 I have coveted no man’s silver, or gold, or apparel. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Rom 1:29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness (G4124), maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Rom 7:7 What shall we say then? Is<\/i> the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust (G1939), except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet (G1937). <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Rom 13:9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal (G1937), Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be<\/i> any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n 1Co 5:9-11 I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous (G4123), or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous (G4123) , or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n 1Co 6:10 Nor thieves, nor covetous (G4123), nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n 1Co 10:6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust (G1938) after evil things, as they also lusted (G1937). <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Eph 4:17-19 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness (G4124). <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Eph 5:3-7 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness (G4124), let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man (G4123), who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Col 3:5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence (G1939), and covetousness (G4124), which is idolatry: <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n 1Ti 6:6-11 But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this<\/i> world, and it is<\/i> certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into<\/i> many foolish and hurtful lusts (G1939), which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money (G5365) is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after (G3713), they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n 2Ti 3:1, 2 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous (G5366), boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Heb 13:5 Let your<\/i> conversation be<\/i> without covetousness; and be<\/i> content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n 2Pe 2:12-15 But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as<\/i> they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are<\/i> and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you; Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices (G4124); cursed children: Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son<\/i> of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Jud 1:11 Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n The tenth commandment strikes at the very root of all sins, prohibiting the selfish desire, from which springs the sinful act. He who in obedience to God’s law refrains from indulging even a sinful desire for that which belongs to another will not be guilty of an act of wrong toward his fellow creatures. <\/i> PP 309<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Let not the poor think that the rich are the only covetous ones. While the rich hold what they have with a covetous grasp, and seek to obtain still more, the poor are in great danger of coveting the rich man’s wealth. There are very few in our land of plenty who are really so poor as to need help. If they would pursue a right course, they could in almost every case be above want. My appeal to the rich is, Deal liberally with your poor brethren, and use your means to advance the cause of God. The worthy poor, those who are made poor by misfortune and sickness, deserve your special care and help. “Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous.” <\/i> 1T 481<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n