You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife meaning

The tenth commandment is one of the most well-known and controversial commandments in the Bible. It reads, “You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife.” (Exodus 20:17) But what does this commandment actually mean?

There are a few different interpretations of this commandment. Some people believe that it means that you should not desire your neighbor’s wife sexually. Others believe that it means you should not try to take your neighbor’s wife away from him. And still others believe that it means you should not envy your neighbor’s wife or anything that she has. So which interpretation is correct? In this article, we will explore the meaning of the tenth commandment in depth.

We will look at the Hebrew verb “chamad” which is used in this commandment, as well as how “you shall not covet” is used in other parts of the Bible. We will also look at the New Testament passage where Jesus speaks about “your neighbor’s wife.” By looking at all of these passages, we will be able to come to a better understanding of what the tenth commandment actually means..

The Hebrew Verb “Chamad”

The Hebrew verb “chamad” is commonly translated as “to covet.” This word appears nine times in the Hebrew Bible, all in the context of prohibitions against coveting. In the book of Exodus, for instance, we read: ”

You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, or his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor” (Exodus 20:17). The basic meaning of “chamad” is to desire something that belongs to someone else. It can be used in a positive sense, as when the Psalmist says, “I desired the favor of the Lord more than burnt offerings” (Psalms 84:10).

However, it is most often used in a negative sense, as when Solomon says, “Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless” (Ecclesiastes 5:10). When “chamad” is used in [p–w

negative sense, it indicates an improper desire – a desire for something that we should not have. This can be something that belongs to someone else, as in the Exodus passage quoted above. Alternatively, it can be a desire for something that is forbidden by God’s law – such as illicit sex or drugs. Either way, “chamad” refers to a dangerous and destructive longing.

“You Shall Not Covet” in the Old Testament

The Hebrew verb “chamad” is found in the Old Testament and it means “to desire, to take pleasure in, or to covet”. This word is used in the tenth commandment, which says, “You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife.” In other words, you are not to desire or take pleasure in your neighbor’s wife. You are also not to covet anything that belongs to your neighbor. The word “covet” is also found in the book of Exodus.

In Exodus 20:17, God tells Moses, “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 belongs to your neighbor.” Here, God is prohibiting all forms of coveting. He doesn’t want us to desire anything that belongs to someone else. The word “covet” is also found in the book of Deuteronomy. In Deuteronomy 5:21, God tells the Israelites, “You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife. You shall not set your desire on your neighbor’s house or land, his male servant or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” Once again, God is prohibiting all forms of coveting.

He doesn’t want us to desire anything that belongs to someone else. The tenth commandment is repeated in Matthew 5:28 and Luke 6:30. In both of these passages, Jesus is teaching His disciples that they should not commit adultery. And one of the ways we can avoid committing adultery is by not coveting our neighbor’s wife.

“Your Neighbor’s Wife” in the New Testament

When it comes to the New Testament, there are a few different interpretations of what “your neighbor’s wife” means. Some say that this is referring to anyone who is married, while others believe that it specifically refers to a woman who is married to someone other than the speaker. The most common interpretation is that “your neighbor’s wife” means anyone who is married. This interpretation is based on the fact that the word “neighbor” can be used to refer to anyone, not just someone who lives close by.

Therefore, this commandment would apply to all married people, regardless of whether or not they are your literal neighbors. However, there is also a school of thought that believes “your neighbor’s wife” specifically refers to a woman who is married to someone other than the speaker. This interpretation is based on the fact that the word “covet” usually refers to wanting something that belongs to someone else.

Therefore, this commandment would prohibit wanting another man’s wife, even if she is not your literal neighbor. Ultimately, it is up to each individual to decide which interpretation they believe is correct. However, both interpretations agree on one thing: this commandment prohibits wanting something that belongs to someone else, whether it be their spouse or anything else.

The Meaning of “You Shall Not Covet Your Neighbor’s Wife”

The meaning of “you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife” is simple: you should not desire or long for someone else’s wife. This commandment is found in both the Old and New Testaments, and it is clear that God views coveting another person’s wife as a serious offense. In the Old Testament, the Hebrew verb “chamad” is used to describe the act of coveting, and it is clear that this is not something that God approves of.

the New Testament, the Greek word “epithumeo” is used to describe coveting, and again, it is clear that this is not something that God approves of. So what does it mean to covet someone else’s wife? It means to desire her sexually, to long for her in a way that is inappropriate, and to want her in a way that goes beyond simply admiring her beauty. It is an act of lust and selfishness, and it is something that God forbids.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the meaning of “you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife” is quite clear. It is a commandment from God that we are not to desire or take what belongs to someone else. This includes their spouse. We are to respect the marriage covenant and not try to break it up or take advantage of it in any way.