Meaning of Exodus 20:15

The commandment "You shall not steal" in Exodus 20:15, part of the Decalogue delivered at Mount Sinai, is a foundational ethical principle establishing the sanctity of property and the right to possess what one has legitimately acquired. It prohibits the unlawful taking of another person's possessions, whether tangible goods, resources, or even intangible things like reputation or labor, without consent or legal right. This prohibition is not merely about the act of taking but also about the underlying intent and the violation of trust and fairness inherent in such an action. It underscores God's concern for justice and the well-being of individuals within a community, recognizing that theft undermines social order and inflicts harm upon the victim.

Context and Background

This commandment is presented as the eighth of the Ten Commandments, a set of divine laws given to the Israelites through Moses. The immediate context is the covenant God made with Israel at Sinai, following their liberation from slavery in Egypt. The Ten Commandments served as the core of this covenant, outlining the fundamental moral and religious obligations of the people of God. The prohibition against stealing is placed in proximity to commandments concerning truthfulness ("You shall not bear false witness") and covetousness ("You shall not covet"), highlighting a cluster of sins that disrupt honest relationships and respect for others' belongings. In an ancient Near Eastern context, where property rights could be precarious, this commandment provided a clear and authoritative standard for communal living and economic interaction.

Key Themes and Messages

The central themes are respect for property rights, justice, and honesty. This commandment asserts that individuals have a right to what is rightfully theirs, and this right is protected by divine law. It speaks to the importance of integrity in dealings with others, emphasizing that legitimate acquisition and possession are to be honored. Furthermore, it implicitly calls for contentment and discourages the covetousness that often fuels theft. The message is clear: the well-being of the community is fostered when individuals can trust that their possessions are secure and that interactions are conducted with fairness.

Spiritual Significance and Application

Spiritually, the commandment against stealing extends beyond mere material possessions. It can be interpreted as a prohibition against appropriating what belongs to God, such as giving Him less than His due in worship or tithes, or stealing time or opportunities that could be used for righteous purposes. On a personal level, it calls for a heart that is not driven by greed or envy, but by gratitude for what one has. In a broader sense, it signifies a commitment to honoring God's order in all aspects of life, including economic and social relationships. Application involves living a life of integrity, being honest in business, respecting the property of others, and being generous with one's own resources.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

The principle of not stealing is woven throughout the biblical narrative. It is a recurring theme in the Law (e.g., Leviticus 19:11, Deuteronomy 24:14-15), the Prophets (e.g., Jeremiah 7:9, Zechariah 8:17), and Wisdom literature (e.g., Proverbs 30:8-9). Jesus, in the New Testament, not only upholds this commandment but also expands its implications to the heart, stating that evil thoughts and desires can be as destructive as outward actions (Matthew 5:28, Mark 7:21-22). The ultimate redemptive work of Christ can be seen as restoring what humanity had lost through sin, including a rightful inheritance in God's kingdom, thus contrasting with the loss incurred through theft.

Analogies

• A Gardener's Plot: Imagine a gardener who has carefully tilled, planted, and nurtured a plot of land. The fruits of their labor, the vegetables and flowers, are rightfully theirs. To steal from that plot would be to unjustly take what another has invested time, effort, and resources into cultivating. This highlights the idea of legitimate acquisition and the violation of that rightful ownership.
• A Builder's Tools: A carpenter relies on their tools to earn a living. If someone were to steal those tools, they would not only be taking physical objects but also the means by which the carpenter supports themselves and their family. This illustrates how theft can impact not just possessions but also a person's livelihood and ability to function.
• A Trust Account: In a financial sense, theft is akin to misusing or taking funds from a trust account, where money has been entrusted to someone for a specific purpose or for the benefit of another. It represents a breach of trust and an abuse of responsibility.

Relation to Other Verses

This commandment is intrinsically linked to others within the Decalogue.

• Exodus 20:14 ("You shall not commit adultery") and Exodus 20:13 ("You shall not murder"): These commandments, along with "You shall not steal," form a category of prohibitions against harming one's neighbor in their person, their relationships, and their possessions.
• Exodus 20:17 ("You shall not covet"): This commandment directly addresses the root inclination that can lead to theft. Coveting the possessions of others is seen as a precursor to the act of stealing, emphasizing that even unacted-upon desires can be contrary to God's will.
• Leviticus 19:11: "You shall not steal, nor deal falsely, nor lie to one another." This verse reiterates the prohibition and links it with other forms of dishonesty.
• Proverbs 30:8-9: This passage prays for neither extreme poverty (which can lead to stealing) nor extreme wealth (which can lead to forgetting God and stealing). This highlights the practical implications of the commandment for human well-being.
• Matthew 7:12: The Golden Rule, "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you," encapsulates the spirit of this commandment by urging empathetic behavior that respects the rights and property of others.