Covet
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Covet in the Bible?
The Hebrew term kuv'-et denotes earnest desire, encompassing both legitimate aspiration and illicit longing for what belongs to another.
SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing the distinction between acceptable ambition and forbidden greed clarifies the moral boundaries established in biblical law regarding interpersonal conduct.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Covet. Examine how first-century or Near Eastern listeners understood this practice within their daily social dynamics.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Covet in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Covet clarify?
Related Topics
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Covet." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/covet/