The term "stealeth" is an archaic form of the verb "steal," which appears in various passages of the Bible, primarily in the context of the Eighth Commandment: "You shall not steal" (Exodus 20:15). This commandment underscores the importance of respecting the property and rights of others, a principle that is foundational to biblical ethics and morality.

Biblical Context and Usage

The act of stealing is condemned throughout Scripture as a violation of God's law and an affront to His holiness. In Leviticus 19:11, the Israelites are instructed, "You must not steal. You must not lie or deceive one another" . This verse links stealing with deceit, highlighting the broader moral implications of theft as an act that disrupts trust and community harmony.

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul reiterates the prohibition against stealing in his epistles. In Ephesians 4:28, he writes, "He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing good with his own hands, that he may have something to share with the one in need" . Here, Paul not only condemns the act of stealing but also encourages a transformative lifestyle that involves honest labor and generosity.

Theological Implications

The prohibition against stealing is rooted in the understanding of God as the ultimate provider and owner of all things. Human beings are seen as stewards of God's creation, entrusted with the responsibility to manage resources wisely and ethically. Stealing, therefore, is not merely a crime against another person but an offense against God Himself.

The act of stealing is often associated with a lack of faith in God's provision. In Matthew 6:31-33, Jesus teaches, "Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’... But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you" . This passage encourages believers to trust in God's provision rather than resorting to theft out of fear or anxiety.

Moral and Social Dimensions

Stealing is not only a personal sin but also a social evil that undermines justice and equity within a community. The Bible frequently addresses the impact of theft on society, particularly in the context of economic exploitation and social injustice. In the prophetic literature, God condemns those who "join house to house and field to field" (Isaiah 5:8), highlighting the broader societal implications of greed and theft.

The biblical call to justice and righteousness includes a commitment to fair dealings and the protection of the vulnerable. In Proverbs 22:22-23, it is written, "Do not rob a poor man because he is poor, and do not crush the afflicted at the gate; for the LORD will take up their case and will plunder those who rob them" . This passage underscores God's concern for the oppressed and His promise to defend their cause.

Practical Application

For believers, the commandment against stealing serves as a call to integrity and ethical living. It challenges individuals to examine their own hearts and actions, ensuring that they align with God's standards of righteousness. The biblical teaching on stealing also encourages believers to cultivate a spirit of contentment and generosity, recognizing that true wealth is found in a life lived according to God's will.

In summary, the concept of "stealeth" in the Bible encompasses a wide range of moral, theological, and social considerations. It calls believers to a higher standard of living that reflects God's character and His desire for justice and righteousness in the world.

The Testament of Asher Concerning Two Faces of vice and virtue.
... Another stealeth, worketh unjustly, plundereth, defraudeth, and withal pitieth the
poor: this, too, hath a twofold aspect, but the whole is evil. ...
/.../the testaments of the twelve patriarchs/x the testament of asher concerning.htm

No Man Cometh to the Father but by Me.
... matter. 5. Is it not too often seen, that they are the spiritual plague
of formality, which stealeth them off their feet here? 6 ...
/.../brown/christ the way the truth and the life/chapter xxviii no man cometh.htm

The First and Great Commandment
... He that stealeth committeth a gross offense, inasmuch as he hath also violated this
command; but if it were possible for us to separate the two, and to suppose ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/the first and great commandment.htm

Whether Theft is Always a Sin?
... This necessity diminishes or entirely removes sin, as we shall show further on
[2917](A[7]). Hence the text continues: "For he stealeth to fill his hungry soul ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether theft is always a.htm

Psalm LIII.
... somewhat difficult: for if God looketh out from Heaven, in order that He may see
if there is one understanding or seeking after God; there stealeth upon an ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm liii.htm

Philippians ii. 8-May
... And why? because with evil men this is a matter of praise, as of one that stealeth,
if he steal no more; but it is otherwise among good men. ...
/.../homily vi philippians ii 8-may.htm

The Testament of Judah Concerning Fortitude, and Love of Money ...
... For if ye drink not with shamefacedness, and the fear of God departeth from
you, then cometh drunkenness, and shamelessness stealeth in. ...
/.../iv the testament of judah concerning.htm

Appeal to the Christian Women of the South
... To guard most effectually against this dreadful crime of manstealing, God enacted
this severe law. "He that stealeth a man and selleth him, or if he be found ...
/.../an appeal to the christian women of the south/appeal to the christian women.htm

Commendation of those who came to Hear after Taking a Meal. ...
... bring upon us the greatest punishment: which indeed Solomon intimated, when he said,
"It is not wonderful if any one be taken stealing; for he stealeth that he ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily x commendation of those.htm

The Life and Death of Mr. Badman,
... And also that, 'This is the curse that goeth forth over the face of the whole
earth; for every one that stealeth shall be cut off', &c. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the life and death of.htm

Stealeth (11 Occurrences)
...Stealeth (11 Occurrences). Genesis 31:19 And Laban hath gone to shear his flock,
and Rachel stealeth the teraphim which her father hath; (YLT). ...
/s/stealeth.htm - 9k

Bed-chambers (3 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 11:2 and Jehosheba daughter of king Joram, sister of Ahaziah, taketh Joash
son of Ahaziah, and stealeth him out of the midst of the sons of the king ...
/b/bed-chambers.htm - 7k

Stealing (8 Occurrences)

/s/stealing.htm - 9k

Whirlwind (33 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Job 27:20 Terrors overtake him like waters;
a whirlwind stealeth him away in the night. (DBY YLT RSV). ...
/w/whirlwind.htm - 19k

Tempest (30 Occurrences)
... (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV). Job 27:20 Terrors take hold on him as waters,
a tempest stealeth him away in the night. (KJV JPS ASV WBS NAS NIV). ...
/t/tempest.htm - 17k

Stealer (1 Occurrence)

/s/stealer.htm - 6k

Selleth (17 Occurrences)
... Exodus 21:16 And he that stealeth a man, and selleth him, or if he be found in his
hand, he shall surely be put to death. (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS). ...
/s/selleth.htm - 11k

Steals (7 Occurrences)
... (See NAS). Exodus 21:16 And he that stealeth a man, and selleth him, or if he be
found in his hand, he shall surely be put to death. (See RSV). ...
/s/steals.htm - 8k

Inner (141 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 11:2 and Jehosheba daughter of king Joram, sister of Ahaziah, taketh Joash
son of Ahaziah, and stealeth him out of the midst of the sons of the king ...
/i/inner.htm - 37k

Sweareth (34 Occurrences)
... Zechariah 5:3 Then said he unto me, This is the curse that goeth forth over the
face of the whole earth: for every one that stealeth shall be cut off as on ...
/s/sweareth.htm - 17k

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