King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 5:21 Mean?

Deuteronomy 5:21 in the King James Version says “Neither shalt thou desire thy neighbour's wife, neither shalt thou covet thy neighbour's house, his field, or his manser...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Neither shalt thou desire thy neighbour's wife, neither shalt thou covet thy neighbour's house, his field, or his manservant, or his maidservant, his ox, or his ass, or any thing that is thy neighbour's.”

Deuteronomy 5:21 · KJV

Context

19

Neither shalt thou steal.

20

Neither shalt thou bear false witness against thy neighbour.

21

Neither shalt thou desire thy neighbour's wife, neither shalt thou covet thy neighbour's house, his field, or his manservant, or his maidservant, his ox, or his ass, or any thing that is thy neighbour's.

22

These words the LORD spake unto all your assembly in the mount out of the midst of the fire, of the cloud, and of the thick darkness, with a great voice: and he added no more. And he wrote them in two tables of stone, and delivered them unto me.

23

And it came to pass, when ye heard the voice out of the midst of the darkness, (for the mountain did burn with fire,) that ye came near unto me, even all the heads of your tribes, and your elders;

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The tenth commandment 'Neither shalt thou desire thy neighbour's wife' addresses internal attitudes, not merely external actions. The Hebrew 'chamad' (covet/desire) targets the heart—wrongful craving that leads to sin. Coveting violates contentment, breeds envy, and ultimately produces theft, adultery, and murder. This command reveals that God's law governs thoughts and affections, not merely behavior. Paul identifies coveting as the sin that convicted him of heart corruption (Romans 7:7-8). Only Spirit regeneration can transform covetous hearts, producing contentment in God's sovereign provision (Philippians 4:11-13, Hebrews 13:5).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern law codes addressed external actions (theft, murder, adultery) but not internal dispositions. Israel's tenth commandment uniquely probed the heart, demonstrating that God sees and judges inner motives. The comprehensive list—wife, house, land, servants, livestock—covers all areas where covetousness operates. James traces sin's progression: desire conceives, gives birth to sin, produces death (James 1:14-15). Achan's coveting led to theft and Israel's defeat at Ai (Joshua 7).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this commandment reveal that God's law addresses heart attitudes and desires, not merely external behaviors?
  2. What does Paul's testimony (Romans 7:7-8) teach about coveting as the root sin that reveals our utter dependence on grace for transformation?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
וְלֹ֥א1 of 16
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

תַחְמֹ֖ד2 of 16

“Neither shalt thou desire”

H2530

to delight in

אֵ֣שֶׁת3 of 16

“wife”

H802

a woman

לְרֵעֶֽךָ׃4 of 16

“or any thing that is thy neighbour's”

H7453

an associate (more or less close)

וְלֹ֨א5 of 16
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

תִתְאַוֶּ֜ה6 of 16

“neither shalt thou covet”

H183

to wish for

בֵּ֣ית7 of 16

“house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

לְרֵעֶֽךָ׃8 of 16

“or any thing that is thy neighbour's”

H7453

an associate (more or less close)

שָׂדֵ֜הוּ9 of 16

“his field”

H7704

a field (as flat)

וְעַבְדּ֤וֹ10 of 16

“or his manservant”

H5650

a servant

וַֽאֲמָתוֹ֙11 of 16

“or his maidservant”

H519

a maid-servant or female slave

שׁוֹר֣וֹ12 of 16

“his ox”

H7794

a bullock (as a traveller)

וַֽחֲמֹר֔וֹ13 of 16

“or his ass”

H2543

a male ass (from its dun red)

וְכֹ֖ל14 of 16
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

אֲשֶׁ֥ר15 of 16
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

לְרֵעֶֽךָ׃16 of 16

“or any thing that is thy neighbour's”

H7453

an associate (more or less close)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Deuteronomy. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Deuteronomy 5:21 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Deuteronomy 5:21 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Exodus 20:17Romans 13:91 Kings 21:1-4Luke 12:15Micah 2:21 Timothy 6:9-10

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