Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version “You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife. You shall not set your desire on your neighbor’s house or land, his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” New Living Translation “You must not covet your neighbor’s wife. You must not covet your neighbor’s house or land, male or female servant, ox or donkey, or anything else that belongs to your neighbor. English Standard Version “‘And you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife. And you shall not desire your neighbor’s house, his field, or his male servant, or his female servant, his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s.’ Berean Standard Bible 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.” Berean Literal Bible And you shall not covet the wife of your neighbor, and you shall not covet the house of your neighbor, his field, and his manservant, and his maidservant, his ox, and his donkey, and anything that is unto your neighbor.” King James Bible Neither shalt thou desire thy neighbour's wife, neither shalt thou covet thy neighbour's house, his field, or his manservant, or his maidservant, his ox, or his ass, or any thing that is thy neighbour's. New King James Version ‘You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife; and you shall not desire your neighbor’s house, his field, his male servant, his female servant, his ox, his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s.’ New American Standard Bible ‘You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor desire your neighbor’s house, his field, his male slave or his female slave, his ox, his donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.’ NASB 1995 ‘You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, and you shall not desire your neighbor’s house, his field or his male servant or his female servant, his ox or his donkey or anything that belongs to your neighbor.’ NASB 1977 ‘You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, and you shall not desire your neighbor’s house, his field or his male servant or his female servant, his ox or his donkey or anything that belongs to your neighbor.’ Legacy Standard Bible ‘You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, and you shall not desire your neighbor’s house, his field, or his male slave or his female slave, his ox or his donkey or anything that belongs to your neighbor.’ Amplified Bible ‘You shall not covet [that is, desire and seek to acquire] your neighbor’s wife, nor desire your neighbor’s house, his field, his male servant or his female servant, his ox or his donkey or anything that belongs to your neighbor.’ Berean Annotated Bible You shall not covet <Rom 7:7, Rom 13:9> 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. Christian Standard Bible Do not covet your neighbor’s wife or desire your neighbor’s house, his field, his male or female slave, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor. Holman Christian Standard Bible Do not covet your neighbor’s wife or desire your neighbor’s house, his field, his male or female slave, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” American Standard Version Neither shalt thou covet thy neighbor's wife; neither shalt thou desire thy neighbor's house, his field, or his man-servant, or his maid-servant, his ox, or his ass, or anything that is thy neighbor's. Contemporary English Version 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. English Revised Version Neither shalt thou covet thy neighbour's wife; neither shalt thou desire thy neighbour's house, his field, or his manservant, or his maidservant, his ox, or his ass, or any thing that is thy neighbour's. GOD'S WORD® Translation "Never desire to take your neighbor's wife away from him. "Never long for your neighbor's household, his field, his male or female slave, his ox, his donkey, or anything else that belongs to him." Good News Translation "'Do not desire another man's wife; do not desire his house, his land, his slaves, his cattle, his donkeys, or anything else that he owns.' International Standard Version "'You are not to desire your neighbor's wife nor covet your neighbor's house, his fields, his male and female servants, his ox, his donkey, nor anything that concerns your neighbor.'" NET Bible You must not desire another man's wife, nor should you crave his house, his field, his male and female servants, his ox, his donkey, or anything else he owns." New Heart English Bible "Do not covet your neighbor's wife. Do not crave your neighbor's house, his field, or his male servant, or his female servant, his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor's." Webster's Bible Translation Neither shalt thou desire thy neighbor's wife, neither shalt thou covet thy neighbor's house, his field, or his man-servant, or his maid-servant, his ox, or his ass, or any thing that is thy neighbor's. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleYou 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.” World English Bible “You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife. Neither shall you desire your neighbor’s house, his field, or his male servant, or his female servant, his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s.” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionYou do not desire your neighbor’s wife, nor do you covet your neighbor’s house, his field, and his manservant, and his handmaid, his ox, and his donkey, and anything which [is] your neighbor’s. Berean Literal Bible And you shall not covet the wife of your neighbor, and you shall not covet the house of your neighbor, his field, and his manservant, and his maidservant, his ox, and his donkey, and anything that is unto your neighbor.” Young's Literal Translation Thou dost not desire thy neighbour's wife; nor dost thou covet thy neighbour's house, his field, and his man-servant, and his handmaid, his ox, and his ass, and anything which is thy neighbour's. Smith's Literal Translation and thou shalt not desire thy friend's wife; and thou shalt not long for thy friend's house, his field, and his servant, and his maid, his ox and his ass, and all that is to thy friend. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife: nor his house, nor his field, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is his. Catholic Public Domain Version You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his house, nor his field, nor his man servant, nor his woman servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything out of all that is his.’ New American Bible You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife. You shall not desire your neighbor’s house or field, his male or female slave, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor. New Revised Standard Version Neither shall you covet your neighbor’s wife. Neither shall you desire your neighbor’s house, or field, or male or female slave, or ox, or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleYou shall not covet your neighbor's wife, neither shall you covet your neighbor's house, nor his field, nor his vineyard, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor anything that is your neighbor's. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Do not lust for the wife of your neighbor; do not lust for the house of your neighbor, neither his field, neither his vineyard, neither his Servant, neither his Handmaid, neither his ox, neither his donkey, neither anything that your neighbor has.’ OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Neither shalt thou covet thy neighbour's wife; neither shalt thou desire thy neighbour's house, his field, or his man-servant, or his maid-servant, his ox, or his ass, or any thing that is thy neighbour's. Brenton Septuagint Translation Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife; thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, nor his field, nor his man-servant, nor his maid, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any beast of his, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Ten Commandments…20You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. 21You 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.” Cross References You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife. Proverbs 6:25-29 Do not lust in your heart for her beauty or let her captivate you with her eyes. / For the levy of the prostitute is poverty, and the adulteress preys upon your very life. / Can a man embrace fire and his clothes not be burned? … Matthew 5:27-28 You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ / But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 2 Samuel 11:2-4 One evening David got up from his bed and strolled around on the roof of the palace. And from the roof he saw a woman bathing—a very beautiful woman. / So David sent and inquired about the woman, and he was told, “This is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite.” / Then David sent messengers to get her, and when she came to him, he slept with her. (Now she had just purified herself from her uncleanness.) Then she returned home. You shall not covet your neighbor’s house or field, 1 Kings 21:1-4 Some time after these events, Naboth the Jezreelite owned a vineyard in Jezreel next to the palace of Ahab king of Samaria. / So Ahab said to Naboth, “Give me your vineyard to use as a vegetable garden, since it is next to my palace. I will give you a better vineyard in its place—or if you prefer, I will give you its value in silver.” / But Naboth replied, “The LORD forbid that I should give you the inheritance of my fathers.” … Micah 2:1-2 Woe to those who devise iniquity and plot evil on their beds! At morning’s light they accomplish it because the power is in their hands. / They covet fields and seize them; they take away houses. They deprive a man of his home, a fellow man of his inheritance. Isaiah 5:8 Woe to you who add house to house and join field to field until no place is left and you live alone in the land. or his manservant or maidservant, Exodus 21:2-6 If you buy a Hebrew servant, he is to serve you for six years. But in the seventh year, he shall go free without paying anything. / If he arrived alone, he is to leave alone; if he arrived with a wife, she is to leave with him. / If his master gives him a wife and she bears him sons or daughters, the woman and her children shall belong to her master, and only the man shall go free. … Leviticus 25:39-43 If a countryman among you becomes destitute and sells himself to you, then you must not force him into slave labor. / Let him stay with you as a hired worker or temporary resident; he is to work for you until the Year of Jubilee. / Then he and his children are to be released, and he may return to his clan and to the property of his fathers. … Deuteronomy 15:12-15 If a fellow Hebrew, a man or a woman, is sold to you and serves you six years, then in the seventh year you must set him free. / And when you release him, do not send him away empty-handed. / You are to furnish him liberally from your flock, your threshing floor, and your winepress. You shall give to him as the LORD your God has blessed you. … or his ox or donkey, 1 Samuel 12:3 Here I am. Bear witness against me before the LORD and before His anointed: Whose ox or donkey have I taken? Whom have I cheated or oppressed? From whose hand have I accepted a bribe and closed my eyes? Tell me, and I will restore it to you.” Exodus 22:1-4 “If a man steals an ox or a sheep and slaughters or sells it, he must repay five oxen for an ox and four sheep for a sheep. / If a thief is caught breaking in and is beaten to death, no one shall be guilty of bloodshed. / But if it happens after sunrise, there is guilt for his bloodshed. A thief must make full restitution; if he has nothing, he himself shall be sold for his theft. … Exodus 23:4-5 If you encounter your enemy’s stray ox or donkey, you must return it to him. / If you see the donkey of one who hates you fallen under its load, do not leave it there; you must help him with it. or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” Romans 7:7 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.” Romans 13:9 The commandments “Do not commit adultery,” “Do not murder,” “Do not steal,” “Do not covet,” and any other commandments, are summed up in this one decree: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Colossians 3:5 Put to death, therefore, the components of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry. Exodus 20:17 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.” Treasury of Scripture Neither shall you desire your neighbor's wife, neither shall you covet your neighbor's house, his field, or his manservant, or his maidservant, his ox, or his ass, or any thing that is your neighbor's. Exodus 20:17 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. 1 Kings 21:1-4 And it came to pass after these things, that Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard, which was in Jezreel, hard by the palace of Ahab king of Samaria… Micah 2:2 And they covet fields, and take them by violence; and houses, and take them away: so they oppress a man and his house, even a man and his heritage. Jump to Previous Ass Belongs Bondman Covet Desire Donkey Handmaid House Maidservant Maid-Servant Male Manservant Man-Servant Neighbor Neighbor's Neighbour's Ox Servant WifeJump to Next Ass Belongs Bondman Covet Desire Donkey Handmaid House Maidservant Maid-Servant Male Manservant Man-Servant Neighbor Neighbor's Neighbour's Ox Servant WifeDeuteronomy 5 1. The covenant in Horeb6. The ten commandments 23. At the people's request Moses receives the law from God You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife. This commandment addresses the inner desires and thoughts that can lead to sin. In the ancient Near Eastern context, a wife was considered part of a man's household and property, but this commandment elevates the moral standard by focusing on the heart's intentions. The prohibition against coveting a neighbor's wife underscores the sanctity of marriage and the importance of fidelity. It aligns with Jesus' teaching in Matthew 5:28, where He expands on the concept of adultery to include lustful thoughts, emphasizing the need for purity in heart and mind. 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. Persons / Places / Events 1. MosesThe leader of the Israelites who delivered God's commandments to the people. He is the central figure in the book of Deuteronomy, acting as a mediator between God and Israel. 2. Israelites The chosen people of God, who were receiving the Law as they prepared to enter the Promised Land. They are the direct audience of the commandments. 3. Mount Sinai (Horeb) The place where God originally gave the Ten Commandments to Moses. Deuteronomy recounts these events as a reminder to the Israelites. 4. Promised Land The land of Canaan, which God promised to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The commandments were given to guide the Israelites in their new life there. 5. Neighbor Represents fellow members of the community, emphasizing the importance of relationships and respect within the society. Teaching Points Understanding CovetousnessCoveting is more than just wanting something; it is an intense, unhealthy desire that can lead to sin. It begins in the heart and can disrupt our relationship with God and others. Contentment as a Virtue Cultivating contentment is essential for a godly life. By focusing on what God has provided and trusting in His provision, we can overcome the temptation to covet. Guarding the Heart The commandment against coveting calls us to examine our hearts and motives. We must be vigilant in guarding our hearts against envy and greed. Community and Respect Respecting others' possessions and relationships is crucial for maintaining harmony within the community. Coveting can lead to actions that harm others and disrupt social order. Spiritual Fulfillment True fulfillment comes from a relationship with God, not from material possessions or status. Seeking God first aligns our desires with His will. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Deuteronomy 5:21?2. How does Deuteronomy 5:21 define coveting in a biblical context? 3. What practical steps can prevent coveting your neighbor's possessions today? 4. How does coveting relate to the commandment against stealing in Exodus 20:15? 5. In what ways does coveting affect our relationship with God and others? 6. How can contentment, as taught in Philippians 4:11, counteract coveting? 7. What does Deuteronomy 5:21 reveal about human nature and desires? 8. How does Deuteronomy 5:21 relate to the concept of coveting in modern society? 9. Why is coveting considered a sin in Deuteronomy 5:21? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Deuteronomy 5? 11. Is it right to desire what others possess? 12. Is it right to desire what others possess? 13. What does "You Shall Not Covet" mean? 14. What does the Bible teach about covetousness? What Does Deuteronomy 5:21 Mean You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife“Do not commit adultery” protects the marriage bed (Hebrews 13:4), but this command reaches into the hidden realm of desire. • Coveting is a heart-level sin—lust that plots rather than loves (Matthew 5:27-28). • Desire aimed at another man’s wife rejects God’s design that “the two shall become one flesh” (Genesis 2:24). • David’s longing for Bathsheba began with a look, grew into covetous desire, and birthed ruin (2 Samuel 11). • In Christ we receive power to “take captive every thought to make it obedient” (2 Corinthians 10:5). You shall not covet your neighbor’s house or field God acknowledges normal appreciation for beauty and productivity, yet warns against the restless craving that resents another’s blessing. • Ahab coveted Naboth’s vineyard, then seized it through deceit (1 Kings 21); the Lord judged him for covetousness that masqueraded as a real-estate deal. • The land allotments in Canaan were God’s gift; envying a boundary line questioned His wisdom (Psalm 16:6). • Paul learned contentment “whether well fed or hungry” (Philippians 4:11-12), showing that peace springs from trusting God’s provision, not acquiring more property. or his manservant or maidservant In an agrarian society, skilled workers meant stability and profit; the temptation was to lure them away or begrudge a neighbor whose household flourished. • Jacob’s sons burned with envy because Joseph enjoyed favor (Genesis 37:11), proving that covetousness breeds betrayal. • Jesus reframed greatness as serving, not grasping for servants (Mark 10:43-45). • The Spirit supplies varied gifts “for the common good” (1 Corinthians 12:7). Rejoicing in another’s talent glorifies God instead of competing with Him. or his ox or donkey Livestock equaled livelihood. Wanting another’s beasts was more than admiring fine animals—it was scheming to possess their earning power. • The tenth plague struck Egypt’s firstborn, yet “not one of the Israelites’ livestock died” (Exodus 9:6); the distinction was God’s doing, not luck to be resented. • Stealing or coveting cattle undermined community trust; restitution laws show how seriously God viewed it (Exodus 22:1). • Jesus teaches us to pray, “Give us this day our daily bread” (Matthew 6:11), shifting focus from a neighbor’s resources to God’s ongoing supply. or anything that belongs to your neighbor The sweeping finale closes every loophole. If it isn’t yours, don’t set your heart on it. • “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have” (Hebrews 13:5). • Covetousness is called idolatry (Colossians 3:5) because it dethrones God and enthrones the desired object. • Zacchaeus modeled repentance by yielding half his wealth and making fourfold restitution (Luke 19:8), proving that grace breaks the grip of grasping. summary Deuteronomy 5:21 exposes coveting as a hidden theft of the heart. Whether it targets a spouse, property, workers, tools, or any possession, the root is discontent with God’s gifts. By treasuring Christ, relying on His Spirit, and celebrating our neighbor’s blessings, we trade restless craving for restful trust and fulfill the command not merely outwardly but from the inside out. (21) His field.--These words are not found in Exodus 20. The children of Israel had now become, or were just about to become, landowners; hence the addition is appropriate in this place. There is also another slight verbal alteration. One word only is used for "covet" in Exodus 20:17; here two are employed. The idea of the one is to "delight in," and the other to "lust after."Hebrew You shall notוְלֹ֥א (wə·lō) Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no covet תַחְמֹ֖ד (ṯaḥ·mōḏ) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 2530: To desire, take pleasure in your neighbor’s רֵעֶ֑ךָ (rê·‘e·ḵā) Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 7453: Friend, companion, fellow wife. אֵ֣שֶׁת (’ê·šeṯ) Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 802: Woman, wife, female You shall not covet תִתְאַוֶּ֜ה (ṯiṯ·’aw·weh) Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 183: To incline, desire your neighbor’s רֵעֶ֗ךָ (rê·‘e·ḵā) Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 7453: Friend, companion, fellow house בֵּ֣ית (bêṯ) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 1004: A house or field, שָׂדֵ֜הוּ (śā·ḏê·hū) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 7704: Field, land or his manservant וְעַבְדּ֤וֹ (wə·‘aḇ·dōw) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 5650: Slave, servant or maidservant, וַאֲמָתוֹ֙ (wa·’ă·mā·ṯōw) Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 519: A maidservant, female slave or his ox שׁוֹר֣וֹ (šō·w·rōw) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 7794: A head of cattle (bullock, ox, etcetera) or donkey, וַחֲמֹר֔וֹ (wa·ḥă·mō·rōw) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 2543: A male ass or anything וְכֹ֖ל (wə·ḵōl) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every that אֲשֶׁ֥ר (’ă·šer) Pronoun - relative Strong's 834: 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 Strong's 7453: Friend, companion, fellow Links Deuteronomy 5:21 NIVDeuteronomy 5:21 NLT Deuteronomy 5:21 ESV Deuteronomy 5:21 NASB Deuteronomy 5:21 KJV Deuteronomy 5:21 BibleApps.com Deuteronomy 5:21 Biblia Paralela Deuteronomy 5:21 Chinese Bible Deuteronomy 5:21 French Bible Deuteronomy 5:21 Catholic Bible OT Law: Deuteronomy 5:21 Neither shall you covet your neighbor's wife (Deut. 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