In the Bible, the word covet means to strongly desire something that does not belong to you. It’s more than just wanting something nice. It’s wanting it in a way that leads to sin. Coveting can start in the heart, but it often leads to harmful actions.
The Bible warns us about coveting because it pulls our hearts away from God. It causes people to chase after things—money, relationships, status—while forgetting to trust in God’s plan and provision.
What Is the Biblical Definition of Covet?
The Hebrew word for covet is “chamad”, which means to delight in or desire. The Greek word used in the New Testament is “epithumeo”, which also means to long for or crave.
But in the Bible, this kind of desire becomes sinful when:
- It is focused on what belongs to someone else
- It grows into jealousy or greed
- It leads to harmful behavior or discontent
Key Bible Verse
Exodus 20:17 (KJV): “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.”
The Tenth Commandment
Coveting is specifically addressed in the Ten Commandments. God commanded the Israelites not to covet anything that belongs to their neighbor. This includes:
- Their home
- Their spouse
- Their workers
- Their animals
- Any possession
This commandment is different from the others because it focuses on the heart and mind, not just actions. You can covet silently. It’s an inward sin.
Supporting Scripture
Deuteronomy 5:21: “And you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife. And you shall not desire your neighbor’s house, his field, or his male servant, or his female servant, his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s.”
Examples of Coveting in the Bible
| Person | What They Coveted | Result of Coveting | Scripture Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eve | The forbidden fruit | Disobeyed God; sin entered the world | Genesis 3:6 |
| Achan | Gold, silver, and clothing | Brought defeat to Israel; was punished by death | Joshua 7:21 |
| David | Uriah’s wife, Bathsheba | Committed adultery and murder | 2 Samuel 11:2-4 |
| Judas | 30 pieces of silver | Betrayed Jesus for money; later regretted deeply | Matthew 26:14-15; Matthew 27:3-5 |
Why Coveting Is Dangerous
The Bible teaches that coveting can control our hearts and draw us away from God. It:
- Makes us focus on what we lack, not what we have
- Leads to jealousy, greed, and theft
- Keeps us from trusting God to provide
Bible Warnings
Luke 12:15: “And he said to them, 'Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.'”
Romans 7:7: “What then shall we say? That the law is sin? By no means! Yet if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, 'You shall not covet.'”
Micah 2:2: “They covet fields and seize them, and houses, and take them away; they oppress a man and his house, a man and his inheritance.”
Coveting vs. Desiring
Not all desire is sinful. It is okay to want a good job, a safe home, or a family. The difference lies in the heart and the purpose behind the desire.
| Desire (Good) | Coveting (Sinful) |
|---|---|
| Thankful for what God gives | Always wants more |
| Seeks blessing in God's timing | Wants what others have right now |
| Prays and waits | Takes by force or manipulates |
| Respects others’ boundaries | Crosses the line of respect and honesty |
Additional Scripture
Psalm 37:4: “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
Proverbs 21:26: “All day long he craves and craves, but the righteous gives and does not hold back.”
1 Timothy 6:9: “But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.”
How to Guard Against Coveting
The Bible gives us tools to resist a covetous heart:
-
Be content
Hebrews 13:5: “Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.'” -
Be thankful
1 Thessalonians 5:18: “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” -
Trust God's provision
Philippians 4:19: “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” -
Focus on eternal things
Colossians 3:2: “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”
Final Thoughts
Coveting is a hidden sin, but it causes real damage. The Bible shows that it leads to broken trust, pain, and even judgment. But with God’s help, we can choose contentment over craving and gratitude over greed.
When we rest in God’s goodness, we stop looking at others and start seeing the blessings already in our hands.
