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.

EXODUS 20:17KJV
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Exodus 20:17 (KJV)

What does Exodus 20:17 mean?

Exodus 20:17 commands people not to desire or long for anything that belongs to their neighbor, including their house, spouse, servants, animals, or any possession. This verse sets a boundary not just on actions, but on inward desires and attitudes toward what others have.

In this verse, God is speaking to the Israelites at Mount Sinai, giving them the Ten Commandments through Moses. Unlike earlier commandments that focus on outward actions, Exodus 20:17 addresses the inner thoughts and motivations of a person’s heart, making it clear that even wanting what is not yours is out of bounds.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 20:17

  • The word "covet" (חָמַד, chamad) means to strongly desire or take pleasure in something. Here, it highlights that the commandment is about inward longing, not just outward acts.
  • "Neighbour's" (רֵעֶה, re‘eh) refers to a fellow member of the community, not just someone living nearby. This broadens the command to include anyone within the group.
  • "House" (בַּיִת, bayit) in this context means more than just a building; it includes the entire household and all that belongs to it.
  • "Wife" (אִשָּׁה, ishah), "manservant" (עֶבֶד, eved), "maidservant" (אָמָה, ’amah), "ox" (שׁוֹר, shor), and "ass" (חֲמוֹר, chamor) are listed to show the full range of what might be coveted, emphasizing that nothing belonging to another person is to be wrongly desired.

Why Exodus 20:17 matters

  • Exodus 20:17 clarifies that moral responsibility includes not just actions but also thoughts and desires, setting a higher standard for personal conduct.
  • This verse helps explain the broader intent of the Ten Commandments: building a community based on respect, trust, and contentment, not just avoiding harm.
  • By listing specific examples, Exodus 20:17 shows that the commandment covers every area of life, not just the most obvious or valuable possessions.

Where else these words appear

“covet” Hebrew H2530 · used in 20 verses

  • Genesis 2:9 And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
  • Job 20:20 Surely he shall not feel quietness in his belly, he shall not save of that which he desired.
  • Proverbs 12:12 The wicked desireth the net of evil men: but the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit.

“maidservant” Hebrew H519 · used in 49 verses

  • Genesis 20:17 So Abraham prayed unto God: and God healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his maidservants; and they bare children.
  • Deuteronomy 5:14 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thine ox, nor thine ass, nor any of thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates; that thy manservant and thy maidservant may rest as well as thou.
  • 1 Samuel 25:41 And she arose, and bowed herself on her face to the earth, and said, Behold, let thine handmaid be a servant to wash the feet of the servants of my lord.

“ox” Hebrew H7794 · used in 69 verses

  • Genesis 32:5 And I have oxen, and asses, flocks, and menservants, and womenservants: and I have sent to tell my lord, that I may find grace in thy sight.
  • Leviticus 22:23 Either a bullock or a lamb that hath any thing superfluous or lacking in his parts, that mayest thou offer for a freewill offering; but for a vow it shall not be accepted.
  • Judges 6:25 And it came to pass the same night, that the LORD said unto him, Take thy father's young bullock, even the second bullock of seven years old, and throw down the altar of Baal that thy father hath, and cut down the grove that is by it:

“ass” Hebrew H2543 · used in 93 verses

  • Genesis 12:16 And he entreated Abram well for her sake: and he had sheep, and oxen, and he asses, and menservants, and maidservants, and she asses, and camels.
  • Numbers 31:30 And of the children of Israel's half, thou shalt take one portion of fifty, of the persons, of the beeves, of the asses, and of the flocks, of all manner of beasts, and give them unto the Levites, which keep the charge of the tabernacle of the LORD.
  • 1 Samuel 25:42 And Abigail hasted, and arose, and rode upon an ass, with five damsels of hers that went after her; and she went after the messengers of David, and became his wife.