Definition and Etymology:
The term "covet" originates from the Hebrew word "חָמַד" (chamad) and the Greek word "ἐπιθυμέω" (epithymeo), both of which convey the idea of desiring or longing for something that belongs to another. In a biblical context, coveting is often associated with an inordinate or inappropriate desire for possessions, relationships, or status that are not rightfully one's own.

Biblical References:
Coveting is explicitly addressed in the Ten Commandments, where it is prohibited as a sinful desire. Exodus 20:17 states, "You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor." This commandment highlights the comprehensive nature of coveting, extending beyond material possessions to include relationships and other aspects of one's neighbor's life.

In the New Testament, Jesus expands on the concept of coveting by addressing the heart's desires. In Luke 12:15 , He warns, "Watch out! Guard yourselves against every form of greed, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." Here, coveting is linked to greed, emphasizing the spiritual danger of allowing material desires to dominate one's life.

Theological Significance:
Coveting is considered a root sin that can lead to other transgressions. It reflects a lack of contentment and trust in God's provision. The Apostle Paul, in Romans 7:7 , acknowledges the role of the law in revealing sin, stating, "What then shall we say? Is the law sin? Certainly not! Indeed, I would not have been aware of sin if it had not been for the law. For I would not have known coveting if the law had not said, 'You shall not covet.'"

Paul further elaborates on the destructive nature of coveting in 1 Timothy 6:9-10 , where he writes, "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."

Practical Implications:
From a practical standpoint, coveting can lead to a host of relational and societal issues, including envy, theft, adultery, and even murder. The biblical narrative of King David and Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11) serves as a poignant example of how coveting can lead to a cascade of sin and its devastating consequences.

Believers are encouraged to cultivate contentment and gratitude as antidotes to coveting. Hebrews 13:5 advises, "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.'" This verse underscores the importance of relying on God's presence and provision rather than succumbing to the desires for what others possess.

Conclusion:
While the Bible acknowledges the natural human tendency to desire, it calls for a transformation of the heart and mind to align with God's will. By focusing on spiritual riches and trusting in God's sufficiency, believers can overcome the temptation to covet and live in harmony with God's commandments.Exodus 20:17
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.
Topicalbible.org

1 Timothy 6:17-19
Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy;
Topicalbible.org

1 Timothy 6:10
For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
Topicalbible.org

Ephesians 4:28
Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needs.
Topicalbible.org

Ephesians 5:3
But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becomes saints;
Topicalbible.org

1. (v. t.) To wish for with eagerness; to desire possession of; -- used in a good sense.

2. (v. t.) To long for inordinately or unlawfully; to hanker after (something forbidden).

3. (v. i.) To have or indulge inordinate desire.

COVET

kuv'-et ('awah; zeloo, "to desire earnestly," "to set the heart and mind upon anything"): Used in two senses: good, simply to desire earnestly but legitimately. e.g. the King James Version 1 Corinthians 12:31; 1 Corinthians 14:39; bad, to desire unlawfully, or to secure illegitimately (batsa`; epithumeo, Romans 7:7; Romans 13:9, etc.); hence, called "lust" (Matthew 5:28 1 Corinthians 10:6), "concupiscence" (the King James Version Romans 7:8 Colossians 3:5).

1937. epithumeo -- desire, lust after
... desire, lust after. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: epithumeo Phonetic Spelling:
(ep-ee-thoo-meh'-o) Short Definition: I long for, covet, lust after ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1937.htm - 8k

2206. zeloo -- to be jealous
... seek (1). covet earnestly. From zelos; to have warmth of feeling for or
against -- affect, covet (earnestly), (have) desire, (move ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2206.htm - 7k

3713. orego -- to stretch out, to reach after, to yearn for
... Word Origin a prim. verb Definition to stretch out, to reach after, to yearn for
NASB Word Usage aspires (1), desire (1), longing (1). covet after, desire. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3713.htm - 7k

4122. pleonekteo -- to have more, to overreach
... improper) gain. 4122 ("covet, defraud") shows desire, especially lusting
for what belongs to someone else. See 4124 (). Word Origin ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4122.htm - 7k

4123. pleonektes -- one desirous of having more
... Cognate: 4123 (a masculine noun derived from 4122 , "to covet") -- used of "a greedy, ,
rapacious, person; a defrauder, trampling on the rights of others ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4123.htm - 7k

2530. chamad -- to desire, take pleasure in
... 2529, 2530. chamad. 2531 . to desire, take pleasure in. Transliteration: chamad
Phonetic Spelling: (khaw-mad') Short Definition: covet. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/2530.htm - 6k

183. avah -- to incline, desire
... covet, greatly desire, be desirous, long, lust after. A primitive root; to wish
for -- covet, (greatly) desire, be desirous, long, lust (after). 182, 183. ...
/hebrew/183.htm - 6k

2763a. charam -- to ban, devote, exterminate
... root Definition to ban, devote, exterminate NASB Word Usage annihilate (1), covet
(1), destroy them utterly (1), destroy utterly (1), destroyed them utterly (1 ...
/hebrew/2763a.htm - 5k

1214. batsa -- to cut off, break off, gain by violence
... A primitive root to break off, ie (usually) plunder; figuratively, to finish, or
(intransitively) stop -- (be) covet(- ous), cut (off), finish, fulfill, gain ...
/hebrew/1214.htm - 6k

Of those who Covet Pre-Eminence, and Seize on the Language of the ...
... Of those who covet pre-eminence, and seize on the language of the Apostle
to serve the purpose of their own cupidity. But for the ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/chapter viii of those who.htm

Thou Shalt not Covet Thy Neighbor's House. Thou Shalt not Covet ...
... 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 ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/luther/the large catechism/thou shalt not covet thy.htm

Petilianus Said: "It is Written, Thou Shalt not Covet Anything ...
... Book II. Chapter 59. " 133. Petilianus said: "It is written, Thou shalt
not covet anything that is thy? "133. Petilianus said ...
/.../chapter 59 133 petilianus.htm

Faustus Insists that the Old Testament Promises are Radically ...
... 1. Faustus said: Another reason for not receiving the Old Testament is, that both
the Old and the New teach us not to covet what belongs to others. ...
/.../faustus insists that the old.htm

The Law of Works and the Law of Faith.
... Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin but by the law: for I had not
known concupiscence, except the law had said, Thou shall not covet. ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 21 xiii the law of.htm

The More Excellent Way
... Second Series Sermon 89 The More Excellent Way. "Covet earnestly the best gifts;
And yet I show to you a more excellent way." 1:Cor.12:31. ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 89 the more excellent.htm

Whether the Precepts of the Decalogue are Suitably Distinguished ...
... Objection 3: Further, the Apostle says (Rom.7:7): "I had not known concupiscence,
if the Law did not say: 'Thou shalt not covet.'" Hence it seems that this ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the precepts of the.htm

The Teaching of Law Without the Life-Giving Spirit is "The Letter ...
... indeed especially) equivalent to what he says elsewhere in the plainest words:
"I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet;" [725] and ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 6 iv the teaching of.htm

The Evil Desires of Concupiscence; we Ought to Wish that they May ...
... in his own person, gives us this instruction: "For what I would," says he, "that
do I not; but what I hate, that do I." [2159] In a word, "I covet." [2160] For ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 30 xxvii the evil desires.htm

Whether the Precepts of the Decalogue are Suitably Set Forth?
... shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal," is distinct from the prohibition
of the sin of thought, when it is said, "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the precepts of the 2.htm

Covet (14 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. COVET. ... Multi-Version Concordance Covet (14 Occurrences).
Acts 20:33 I coveted no one's silver, or gold, or clothing. ...
/c/covet.htm - 12k

Neighbour's (30 Occurrences)
... Exodus 20:17 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 ...
/n/neighbour's.htm - 15k

Neighbor's (31 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 10:24 Let no one seek his own, but each one his neighbor's good.
(WEB ASV). Exodus 20:17 "You shall not covet your neighbor's house. ...
/n/neighbor's.htm - 16k

Manservant (14 Occurrences)
... Exodus 20:17 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house, thou shalt not covet thy
neighbor's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ...
/m/manservant.htm - 12k

Man-servant (18 Occurrences)
... Exodus 20:17 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 ...
/m/man-servant.htm - 12k

Covetousness (22 Occurrences)
... Eerdmans maintains (Expos, July, 1909) that the commandment, "Thou shalt not covet
thy neighbor's house" (Exodus 20:17), meant to the Israelite that he should ...
/c/covetousness.htm - 18k

Maid-servant (49 Occurrences)
... Exodus 20:17 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 ...
/m/maid-servant.htm - 22k

Neighbour (139 Occurrences)
... 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 ...
/n/neighbour.htm - 34k

Maidservant (73 Occurrences)
... Exodus 20:17 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house, thou shalt not covet thy
neighbor's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ...
/m/maidservant.htm - 28k

Lust (42 Occurrences)
... (4) Chamadh, the verb meaning "to delight in," "greatly belove," "covet," probably
for evil purposes. ... You kill, covet, and can't obtain. ...
/l/lust.htm - 24k

Why is "You shall not covet" in the Ten Commandments? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about covetousness? | GotQuestions.org

What is the lust of the eyes? | GotQuestions.org

Covet: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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