Meaning of Exodus 20:17

This commandment, the tenth and final of the Decalogue delivered by God to Moses on Mount Sinai, prohibits the internal desire or longing for what rightfully belongs to another. It goes beyond mere outward action, addressing the root of sin in the human heart. Covetousness is a desire so strong that it disregards the rights and possessions of others, potentially leading to envy, discontent, theft, and other transgressions. The verse explicitly lists various possessions – a house, spouse, servants, livestock, and other property – to illustrate the breadth of this prohibition, emphasizing that anything belonging to one's neighbor is off-limits to covetous desire.

Context and Background

Exodus 20:17 is part of the foundational covenant God established with the Israelites after their liberation from slavery in Egypt. These commandments were not arbitrary rules but were designed to be the moral and ethical framework for a people set apart to be God's own. The Ten Commandments are divided into two tables: the first four deal with humanity's relationship with God, and the latter six, including this one, concern human relationships. This final commandment serves as a crucial internal safeguard, preventing the outward violations addressed in the preceding commandments (like stealing or bearing false witness) by addressing the underlying motive.

Key Themes and Messages

The primary theme is the internal regulation of desire. Unlike commandments that prohibit specific actions (e.g., "You shall not murder"), this one targets the desire itself. It highlights that sin begins in the heart and mind. Another key theme is respect for property and relationships. God's law upholds the sanctity of what individuals rightfully possess, including their family and their livelihood. The verse also underscores divine sovereignty and order, as God establishes boundaries and expectations for human interaction within the community.

Spiritual Significance and Application

Spiritually, covetousness is seen as a form of idolatry, where one's desire for earthly possessions or another's status eclipses their devotion to God. It fosters discontent and a lack of gratitude for what God has provided. Applying this commandment requires constant self-examination, actively cultivating contentment, and practicing generosity. It calls believers to guard their hearts against envy and to find fulfillment in God rather than in material things or the circumstances of others.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

This commandment is central to understanding God's expectations for His people throughout Scripture. It foreshadows the New Testament emphasis on inner purity and the dangers of greed, as articulated by Jesus and the apostles. The Old Testament law, of which this commandment is a part, served as a tutor leading to Christ. The New Testament doesn't abolish this principle but intensifies it, calling for a love that is not envious and a contentment that transcends material circumstances.

Analogies

One analogy for covetousness is like looking at a neighbor's well-tended garden and wishing it were yours, rather than appreciating the beauty of your own. Another is seeing a friend's successful career and feeling bitter about your own, instead of celebrating their achievements and working diligently in your own path. It's the difference between admiring and aspiring versus envying and desiring to possess.

Relation to Other Verses

This commandment is directly related to other prohibitions against theft (Exodus 20:15) and false witness (Exodus 20:16), as coveting often precedes these actions. In the New Testament, Jesus identifies covetousness as a source of evil thoughts and actions (Mark 7:21-22). Paul also warns against greed and covetousness, equating it with idolatry (Colossians 3:5) and stating that no covetous person will inherit the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:10). The concept of contentment, the antidote to covetousness, is a significant theme in Philippians 4:11-13 and 1 Timothy 6:6-10.