Exodus 20:17 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →God forbids desiring what belongs to another, addressing the internal attitude underlying external sins.
The Context of Exodus 20:17
God forbids desiring what belongs to another, addressing the internal roots of external sins.
What Does Exodus 20:17 Mean?
This commandment is unique: it addresses desire and intention rather than outward action. Coveting precedes theft, adultery, and false witness—it is the inward condition from which external sins spring. The prohibition goes deeper than behavior; it calls for contentment with one's own lot and respect for another's possessions. By forbidding covetousness, God addresses the root from which many sins grow.
The items listed—house, wife, servants, animals—represent a neighbor's entire household and status. The prohibition covers not just major violations but the small, constant temptations to resent another's security or success. Coveting creates discontent, breeds resentment, and seeds the thoughts from which theft, violence, and deception emerge.
Exodus 20:17 in the Original Language
Chamad (חמד), 'covet' — means to desire or lust after; emphasizes the internal attitude of yearning for something not rightfully one's own.
Frequently Asked Questions About Exodus 20:17
What does Exodus 20:17 mean?
God forbids desiring what belongs to another, addressing the internal attitude underlying external sins.
What is the context of Exodus 20:17?
God forbids desiring what belongs to another, addressing the internal roots of external sins.