Word Studies¶
Hebrew Vocabulary — Coveting¶
chamad (חָמַד) — H2530¶
Original: חָמַד Transliteration: chamad Pronunciation: khaw-mad Part of Speech: verb (also used as adjective/noun in derived forms) Definition: A primitive root; to delight in, desire, covet. Covers a range from legitimate aesthetic delight to sinful coveting.
Translations (32 occurrences)¶
| Translation | Count | % |
|---|---|---|
| to be desired | 3 | 9.4% |
| greatly beloved | 3 | 9.4% |
| covet | 2 | 6.2% |
| desire | 2 | 6.2% |
| desireth | 2 | 6.2% |
| pleasant / precious / delight | various | various |
Key Verses¶
- Exo 20:17 — "Thou shalt not covet [tachmad] thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet [tachmad] thy neighbour's wife" — Qal Imperfect 2ms; the primary commandment verb
- Gen 3:6 — "a tree to be desired [nechmad] to make one wise" — Niphal participle; Eve's coveting
- Josh 7:21 — "then I coveted them [vaechmedem], and took them" — Qal; Achan's confession
- Deu 7:25 — "thou shalt not desire [tachmad] the silver or gold that is on them" — coveting idols' precious metal
- Exo 34:24 — "neither shall any man desire [yachmad] thy land" — God's promise of protection from coveting enemies
- Mic 2:2 — "they covet [chamdu] fields, and take them by violence" — prophetic indictment
- Psa 19:10 (19:11 Heb) — "More to be desired [nechmadim] are they than gold" — legitimate desire for God's word
- Dan 9:23; 10:11,19 — "greatly beloved [chamudot]" — positive: God's delight in Daniel
- Isa 53:2 — "no beauty that we should desire him" — concerning the Suffering Servant
Semantic Range¶
Chamad encompasses both positive and negative desire. In its positive sense, it describes delight in God's word (Psa 19:10), beauty (Gen 2:9), or God's love for a person (Dan 9:23). In its negative sense, it describes covetous desire for what belongs to another (Exo 20:17, Josh 7:21, Mic 2:2). The commandment restricts the negative use — desiring to possess what God has not given.
Hebrew Parsing in Exodus 20:17¶
- לֹ֥א תַחְמֹ֖ד — lo tachmad — "you shall not covet"
- Verb: Qal Imperfect 2nd masculine singular
- Lemma: חמד (chamad)
- Used TWICE in Exo 20:17 — once for "house," once for "wife"
LXX Translation¶
H2530 (chamad) is primarily translated in the LXX as: - G1939 epithumia (7 occurrences, PMI: 7.29) — longing/desire noun - G1937 epithumeo (5 occurrences, PMI: 7.05) — to set the heart upon, verb - This confirms the LXX translators saw chamad as the equivalent of epithumeo, which is the verb Paul quotes in Rom 7:7.
avah (אָוָה) — H183¶
Original: אָוָה Transliteration: avah Pronunciation: aw-vaw Part of Speech: verb Definition: A primitive root; to wish for, covet, desire, long, lust after.
Translations (29 occurrences)¶
| Translation | Count | % |
|---|---|---|
| desireth | 5 | 17.2% |
| longed | 2 | 6.9% |
| fell a lusting | 1 | 3.4% |
| covet | 1 | 3.4% |
| lusteth after | 1 | 3.4% |
Key Verses¶
- Deu 5:21 — "Neither shalt thou desire [titavveh] thy neighbour's wife" — Hithpael Imperfect 2ms; the KEY variant from Exodus
- Num 11:4 — "the mixt multitude that was among them fell a lusting [hitavvu]" — Hithpael; craving for meat in the wilderness
- Num 11:34 — "Kibroth-hattaavah" (graves of craving) — named for those who lusted
- Psa 106:14 — "But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness" — Hithpael; Israel's craving
- Pro 21:10 — "The soul of the wicked desireth evil" — Piel
- Pro 21:26 — "He coveteth greedily all the day long" — Hithpael
- 2 Sam 23:15 — "David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me drink" — Piel; legitimate intense longing
The Hithpael Form (hitavveh) — Critical for Deu 5:21¶
The Hithpael stem in Hebrew is reflexive/intensive. In Deu 5:21, the form is תִתְאַוֶּה (titavveh) — "you shall not desire-for-yourself." The Hithpael of avah carries a stronger connotation of internal, reflexive longing than the Qal of chamad. It emphasizes the subject's own inner craving.
Hebrew Parsing in Deuteronomy 5:21¶
- וְלֹ֥א תַחְמֹ֖ד אֵ֣שֶׁת רֵעֶ֑ךָ — "you shall not covet [chamad, Qal] your neighbour's wife"
- וְלֹ֨א תִתְאַוֶּ֜ה בֵּ֣ית רֵעֶ֗ךָ — "you shall not desire [avah, Hithpael] your neighbour's house"
Critical observation from the Hebrew text: In Deuteronomy 5:21, the MT actually uses chamad for the wife and hitavveh for the house/property — the reverse of what is often claimed. The Hebrew parser confirms: - תַחְמֹ֖ד (tachmad) — Qal of chamad — applies to "wife" - תִתְאַוֶּ֜ה (titavveh) — Hithpael of avah — applies to "house, field, servant, etc."
This is the opposite order from Exodus (where chamad covers both). The KJV renders this as "desire" (for wife/chamad) and "covet" (for house/hitavveh), though the Hebrew has chamad for the wife clause and hitavveh for the property clause.
LXX Translation¶
H183 (avah) is primarily translated in the LXX as: - G1937 epithumeo (17 occurrences, PMI: 8.87) — by far the dominant translation - G1939 epithumia (6 occurrences, PMI: 7.12) — longing noun - Both Hebrew verbs (chamad and avah) converge on the same Greek word (epithumeo) in the LXX.
avvah (אַוָּה) — H185¶
Original: אַוָּה Transliteration: avvah Pronunciation: av-vaw Part of Speech: feminine noun Definition: From H183 (avah); longing, desire, lust after, pleasure.
Translations (7 occurrences)¶
| Translation | Count | % |
|---|---|---|
| lusteth after | 3 | 42.9% |
| the desire | 2 | 28.6% |
| at her pleasure | 1 | 14.3% |
| in my desire | 1 | 14.3% |
Key Verses¶
- Deu 12:15,20,21 — "whatsoever thy soul lusteth after [avvat]" — legitimate desire for food
- Jer 2:24 — "a wild ass used to the wilderness, that snuffeth up the wind at her pleasure [avvat]" — uncontrolled desire
taavah (תַּאֲוָה) — H8378¶
Original: תַּאֲוָה Transliteration: taavah Pronunciation: tah-av-aw Part of Speech: feminine noun Definition: From H183 (avah, abbreviated); a longing, delight, desire, dainty, pleasant, greedily.
Translations (22 occurrences)¶
| Translation | Count | % |
|---|---|---|
| the desire / The desire | 8 | 36.4% |
| desire | 2 | 9.1% |
| fell a lusting | 1 | 4.5% |
| lust | 1 | 4.5% |
| greedily | 1 | 4.5% |
Key Verses¶
- Gen 3:6 — "the tree was good for food" — taavah used in the broader sense of desirable
- Num 11:4 — "the mixt multitude... fell a lusting" — Kibroth-hattaavah (graves of craving)
- Num 11:34 — Place named Kibroth-hattaavah = "graves of the craving"
- Psa 10:3 — "the wicked boasteth of his heart's desire"
- Psa 106:14 — "lusted exceedingly [avvu taavah]" — cognate accusative, intensive
- Pro 21:25,26 — "The desire of the slothful killeth him"
Greek Vocabulary — Coveting/Desire¶
epithumeo (ἐπιθυμέω) — G1937¶
Original: ἐπιθυμέω Transliteration: epithumeo Pronunciation: ep-ee-thoo-meh-o Part of Speech: verb Definition: From epi (upon) + thumos (passion); to set the heart upon, long for (rightfully or otherwise); to covet, desire, lust.
Translations (17 occurrences)¶
| Translation | Count | % |
|---|---|---|
| covet | 2 | 11.8% |
| Thou shalt (not covet) | 2 | 11.8% |
| lust after | 1 | 5.9% |
| have desired | 1 | 5.9% |
| lusted | 1 | 5.9% |
Key Verses¶
- Rom 7:7 — "I had not known lust [epithumia], except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet [ouk epithumeseis]" — Paul quotes the tenth commandment using this verb (Future Active Indicative 2nd singular)
- Mat 5:28 — "whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her [pros to epithumesai]" — Jesus uses this verb to extend the seventh commandment to the internal realm
- Rom 13:9 — "Thou shalt not covet [ouk epithumeseis]" — Paul lists the tenth commandment
- 1Co 10:6 — "we should not lust after evil things [epithumetas kakon]" — Israel's wilderness craving
- Gal 5:17 — "the flesh lusteth against the Spirit" — internal warfare
- Luk 22:15 — "With desire I have desired to eat this passover" — Jesus uses the same word for legitimate longing
- Acts 20:33 — "I have coveted no man's silver, or gold" — Paul's testimony
- 1 Pet 1:12 — "things the angels desire to look into" — positive use
Semantic Range¶
Like chamad, epithumeo has both positive and negative uses. It can describe legitimate longing (Luke 22:15; 1 Pet 1:12; Mat 13:17) or sinful coveting (Rom 7:7; Mat 5:28; Gal 5:17). Context determines whether the desire is lawful or sinful.
epithumia (ἐπιθυμία) — G1939¶
Original: ἐπιθυμία Transliteration: epithumia Pronunciation: ep-ee-thoo-mee-ah Part of Speech: feminine noun Definition: From G1937 (epithumeo); a longing (especially for what is forbidden); desire, lust, concupiscence.
Translations (30 occurrences in NT)¶
| Translation | Count | % |
|---|---|---|
| lusts | 17 | 56.7% |
| lust | 2 | 6.7% |
| concupiscence | 2 | 6.7% |
| desire | 1 | 3.3% |
Key Verses¶
- Rom 7:7 — "I had not known lust [epithumian]" — Paul names the internal sin the law exposed
- Rom 7:8 — "wrought in me all manner of concupiscence [epithumian]"
- Jas 1:14 — "drawn away of his own lust [epithumias]" — source of temptation
- Jas 1:15 — "when lust [epithumia] hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin"
- Col 3:5 — "evil concupiscence [epithumian kaken]" — in the idolatry list
- 1 Jn 2:16 — "the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes" — three categories of worldly desire
- 1 Jn 2:17 — "the world passeth away, and the lust thereof"
- Gal 5:16,24 — "Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh... they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts"
- 1 Tim 6:9 — "many foolish and hurtful lusts" — in the contentment passage
- 2 Tim 2:22 — "Flee also youthful lusts"
pleonexia (πλεονεξία) — G4124¶
Original: πλεονεξία Transliteration: pleonexia Pronunciation: pleh-on-ex-ee-ah Part of Speech: feminine noun Definition: From G4123 (pleonektes); avarice, greedy desire to have more; covetousness, greediness.
Translations (10 occurrences)¶
| Translation | Count | % |
|---|---|---|
| covetousness | 7 | 70.0% |
| greediness | 1 | 10.0% |
| of covetousness | 1 | 10.0% |
| with covetous practices | 1 | 10.0% |
Key Verses¶
- Col 3:5 — "covetousness [pleonexian], which is idolatry" — the explicit equation
- Luk 12:15 — "beware of covetousness [pleonexias]" — Jesus' warning
- Mrk 7:22 — "covetousness [pleonexiai]" — in Jesus' list of heart-sins
- Eph 5:3 — "covetousness, let it not be once named among you"
- Rom 1:29 — "being filled with... covetousness [pleonexia]" — in the sin catalogue
- 2 Pet 2:3 — "through covetousness [pleonexia] shall they... make merchandise of you"
- 2 Pet 2:14 — "an heart they have exercised with covetous practices [pleonexias]"
Note: Pleonexia is specifically "the desire to have more" — greedy acquisitiveness. It differs from epithumia in being focused on accumulation and gaining more than one's share. This is the word Paul equates with idolatry in Col 3:5.
pleonektes (πλεονέκτης) — G4123¶
Original: πλεονέκτης Transliteration: pleonektes Pronunciation: pleh-on-ek-tace Part of Speech: masculine noun Definition: From pleon (more) + echo (to have); holding or desiring more; a covetous person, one greedy for gain.
Translations (4 occurrences)¶
| Translation | Count | % |
|---|---|---|
| covetous | 3 | 75.0% |
| covetous man | 1 | 25.0% |
Key Verses¶
- Eph 5:5 — "nor covetous man [pleonektes], who is an idolater" — the personal equation
- 1 Cor 5:10,11 — "with the covetous [pleonektais]... not to keep company"
- 1 Cor 6:10 — "nor covetous [pleonektai]... shall inherit the kingdom of God"
Note: The covetous person (pleonektes) is identified as an idolater (eidololatres) in Eph 5:5, and excluded from the kingdom in 1 Cor 6:10.
orexis (ὄρεξις) — G3715¶
Original: ὄρεξις Transliteration: orexis Pronunciation: or-ex-is Part of Speech: feminine noun Definition: From orego (to stretch, reach); excitement of the mind, longing after; lust.
Translations (1 occurrence)¶
| Translation | Count | % |
|---|---|---|
| lust | 1 | 100% |
Key Verses¶
- Rom 1:27 — "burned in their lust [orexei] one toward another" — used for disordered sexual desire
Note: A rare word (hapax legomenon in NT) denoting intense craving/appetite. Etymologically from "reaching for" — active grasping desire.
autarkeia (αὐτάρκεια) — G841¶
Original: αὐτάρκεια Transliteration: autarkeia Pronunciation: ow-tar-ki-ah Part of Speech: feminine noun Definition: From G842 (autarkes, "self-sufficient"); self-satisfaction, contentedness; also "sufficiency" in the material sense.
Translations (2 occurrences)¶
| Translation | Count | % |
|---|---|---|
| contentment | 1 | 50% |
| sufficiency | 1 | 50% |
Key Verses¶
- 1 Tim 6:6 — "godliness with contentment [autarkeia] is great gain"
- 2 Cor 9:8 — "God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency [autarkeian] in all things"
Note: In Stoic philosophy, autarkeia meant self-sufficiency — independence from external circumstances. Paul transforms this concept: Christian contentment is not based on self-reliance but on God's sufficiency (2 Cor 9:8; Phil 4:13 — "through Christ which strengtheneth me"). The antidote to covetousness is not suppressing desire but redirecting trust to God.
philarguria (φιλαργυρία) — G5365¶
Original: φιλαργυρία Transliteration: philarguria Pronunciation: fil-ar-goo-ree-ah Part of Speech: feminine noun Definition: From G5366 (philarguros, "fond of silver"); avarice, love of money.
Translations (1 occurrence)¶
| Translation | Count | % |
|---|---|---|
| love of money | 1 | 100% |
Key Verses¶
- 1 Tim 6:10 — "For the love of money [philarguria] is the root of all evil"
Note: A compound word: philos (loving) + arguros (silver). The text does not say money is evil but that the love of money is the root of all evil. This is a specific form of covetousness directed at wealth.
Vocabulary Connections Summary¶
Hebrew → Greek (via LXX)¶
| Hebrew | LXX Greek | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| chamad (H2530) | epithumeo (G1937) / epithumia (G1939) | to desire, covet |
| avah (H183) | epithumeo (G1937) / epithumia (G1939) | to wish for, crave |
Both Hebrew verbs converge on the same Greek family (epithumeo/epithumia) in the LXX, which is the vocabulary Paul uses in Rom 7:7 when quoting the tenth commandment.
Vocabulary Grid: Coveting in the NT¶
| Greek Word | Meaning | Key Reference | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| epithumeo (G1937) | to set the heart upon | Rom 7:7; Mat 5:28 | the act of desiring |
| epithumia (G1939) | longing/lust | Jas 1:14-15; 1 Jn 2:16 | the desire itself |
| pleonexia (G4124) | greedy desire for more | Col 3:5; Luk 12:15 | acquisitive coveting |
| pleonektes (G4123) | covetous person | Eph 5:5; 1 Cor 6:10 | the covetous person |
| philarguria (G5365) | love of money | 1 Tim 6:10 | monetary covetousness |
| autarkeia (G841) | contentment | 1 Tim 6:6 | the antidote |
Existing Evidence Items (from cmd-evidence.db)¶
| ID | Tier | Statement | Reference | Study |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| E020 | E | The law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good (Paul identifies Decalogue by quoting "Thou shalt not covet") | Rom 7:7, 12 | cmd-01 |
| E021 | E | The law is spiritual | Rom 7:14 | cmd-01 |
| E031 | E | Paul quotes five Decalogue commandments as the content of "love thy neighbour" | Rom 13:8-10 | cmd-01 |
| E129 | E | Covetousness, which is idolatry | Col 3:5 | cmd-02 |
| E130 | E | No covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God | Eph 5:5 | cmd-02 |
| E423 | E | Jesus quotes the seventh commandment and extends it: whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her (epithumeo G1937) hath committed adultery in his heart | Mat 5:27-28 | cmd-08 |
| E456 | E | Mortify therefore your members... fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry | Col 3:5 | cmd-08 |
| N007 | N | Paul identifies the specific law he calls holy as the Decalogue by quoting the tenth commandment (Thou shalt not covet) in Rom 7:7 | Rom 7:7, 12, 14 | cmd-01 |
| I009 | I-A | Covetousness constitutes a violation of the first commandment because it is idolatry | Col 3:5; Eph 5:5; Exo 20:3 | cmd-02 |