The commandment “You shall not covet” is included in the Ten Commandments to address the internal desires and intentions of the heart, emphasizing the importance of moral integrity and the protection of relationships and property. This commandment is found in Exodus 20:17, which states:
“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s.” (Exodus 20:17, ESV)
The purpose of this commandment is to prevent not only the act of stealing or wrongdoing but also the harmful thoughts and desires that can lead to such actions. By forbidding coveting, God aims to cultivate contentment and gratitude for what one has, while also fostering respect for the possessions and relationships of others.
Coveting is seen as a root cause of various sins. For example, Jesus expands on this in the New Testament when he teaches about the importance of the heart’s intentions in Matthew 5:27-28:
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Matthew 5:27-28, ESV)
This illustrates how coveting can lead to actions that violate other commandments, demonstrating the comprehensive nature of moral law in both the Old and New Testaments. The focus on internal desire serves as a reminder that true obedience encompasses not just outward behavior but also the motivations and attitudes of the heart.
Additionally, the Apostle Paul discusses the complexities of coveting in Romans 7:7, where he states:
“I would not have known sin, except through the law; for I would not have known covetousness, unless the law had said, ‘You shall not covet.'” (Romans 7:7, NKJV)
In this way, the commandment against coveting highlights the need for inner purity and serves as a critical foundation for ethical behavior and the preservation of community harmony.