Topical Bible: Covetousness: Nobles of the Jews

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Covetousness, often understood as an intense desire for wealth or possessions that belong to others, is a recurring theme in the Bible, particularly in the context of the leaders and nobles of the Jewish people. This sin is frequently condemned in Scripture, as it leads to various forms of moral and social decay.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, covetousness is explicitly prohibited in the Ten Commandments: "You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor" (Exodus 20:17). This commandment underscores the importance of contentment and respect for others' property among the Israelites, including their leaders.

The prophets often rebuked the nobles of Israel and Judah for their covetousness, which led to social injustice and oppression. For instance, the prophet Micah condemns the leaders for their greed: "They covet fields and seize them; they take houses and deprive others of them. They defraud a man of his home and a fellow man of his inheritance" (Micah 2:2). This behavior was a direct violation of God's law and demonstrated a lack of trust in His provision.

Examples of Covetousness Among Jewish Nobles

One notable example of covetousness among the Jewish nobles is King Ahab's desire for Naboth's vineyard. Ahab, influenced by his wife Jezebel, coveted Naboth's vineyard and ultimately orchestrated Naboth's death to acquire it (1 Kings 21). This act of covetousness and subsequent murder brought severe judgment upon Ahab and his household, illustrating the destructive consequences of such desires.

Another example is found in the actions of the sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, who were priests serving at the tabernacle. They were described as "wicked men" who "had no regard for the LORD" (1 Samuel 2:12). Their covetousness led them to exploit their priestly position for personal gain, taking the best portions of the sacrifices for themselves and engaging in other corrupt practices. Their actions not only dishonored God but also led to their downfall and the loss of the Ark of the Covenant to the Philistines.

Prophetic Warnings and Calls to Repentance

The prophets consistently called the leaders and nobles of Israel to repentance, urging them to turn away from covetousness and return to a life of justice and righteousness. Isaiah warned, "Woe to those who add house to house and join field to field until there is no more room and you alone dwell in the land" (Isaiah 5:8). This warning highlights the social consequences of unchecked greed, which leads to the marginalization of the poor and vulnerable.

Jeremiah also spoke against the covetousness of the leaders, declaring, "From the least of them to the greatest, all are greedy for gain; from prophet to priest, all practice deceit" (Jeremiah 6:13). The prophet's words reveal the pervasive nature of covetousness among the leaders and its role in the spiritual decline of the nation.

New Testament Reflections

While the New Testament does not focus specifically on the Jewish nobles, it continues to address the issue of covetousness as a broader human failing. Jesus warned against the dangers of greed, teaching, "Watch out! Guard yourselves against every form of greed, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions" (Luke 12:15). The apostle Paul also admonished believers to avoid covetousness, equating it with idolatry (Colossians 3:5).

In summary, covetousness among the nobles of the Jews is a significant theme in the Bible, illustrating the moral and spiritual pitfalls of greed. The Scriptures consistently call for a heart of contentment and trust in God's provision, warning of the destructive consequences of covetous desires.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Nehemiah 5:7
Then I consulted with myself, and I rebuked the nobles, and the rulers, and said to them, You exact usury, every one of his brother. And I set a great assembly against them.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 1:23
Your princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves: every one loves gifts, and follows after rewards: they judge not the fatherless, neither does the cause of the widow come to them.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Teaching of Add??us the Apostle.
... in the presence of all the nobles he departed ... were distressed for him, but the Jews
also, and ... nature, which was neither subservient through covetousness nor in ...
/.../unknown/the decretals/ancient syriac documents the teaching.htm

Called to Reach a Higher Standard
... They were witnessed by kings, nobles, and statesmen ... 2. Envy, malice, evil thinking,
evilspeaking, covetousness"these are ... offense, neither to the Jews, nor to ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 30 called to reach.htm

The Royal Marriage Feast.
... submit to the terms of the refractory nobles, or by ... much advantage was possessed
by the Jews over the ... wedded to the idolatry of covetousness, worshipping gain ...
/.../arnot/the parables of our lord/xii the royal marriage feast.htm

The Fourth Book
... Savior said to the leaders of the Jews: "Fill ye ... the oath most commonly used by nobles
and baseborn ... who would ever believe that human covetousness would reach ...
//christianbookshelf.org/salvian/on the government of god/the fourth book.htm

Meditations on the Hindrances which Keep Back a Sinner from the ...
... not the Baptist preached, the Jews had never ... blood, valour; gluttony, hospitality;
covetousness, thriftiness; whoredom ... Because many nobles and gentlemen are not ...
/.../bayly/the practice of piety/meditations on the hindrances which.htm

The Fourth Commandment
... Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said unto ... The Jews did not so much
thirst for his death ... he says, but our hearts go after covetousness, will it ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 4 the fourth commandment.htm

Homilies on Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians.
... Adrian, sufferings of Jews from, [692]358 ... Alms, adorn the soul, root out covetousness,
raise soul ... Children, of nobles, wear golden ornaments round the neck, as ...
/.../homilies on philippians colossians and.htm

The Preface
... magistrate, one fearing God and hating covetousness, a courageous ... that of the best
of our nobles, ministers, gentry ... but true) saying of the Jews, "That great ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the preface.htm

Of Antichrist, and his Ruin: and of the Slaying the Witnesses.
... he was a Gentile; and not, as we read of, proselyted to the Jews religion. ... it was
in the days of Antichrist: now will kings, and princes, and nobles, and the ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/of antichrist and his ruin .htm

Introductory Notice Respecting Tauler's Life and Times
... the Bishop of Basle, and other nobles, took the ... gives a lively picture of the inordinate
covetousness, and utter ... money at high interest from the Jews, in order ...
/.../introductory notice respecting taulers life.htm