Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Etymology:The term "steal" refers to the act of taking another person's property without permission or legal right, typically in a secretive manner. The Hebrew word for steal is "ganab" (גנב), and the Greek equivalent is "klepto" (κλέπτω). Both terms convey the idea of theft, deceit, and wrongful acquisition.
Biblical References and Context:Stealing is explicitly prohibited in the Bible and is considered a sin against God and one's neighbor. The commandment "You shall not steal" is one of the Ten Commandments given to Moses on Mount Sinai, as recorded in
Exodus 20:15 : "You shall not steal." This commandment underscores the importance of respecting others' property and maintaining integrity in one's dealings.
In
Leviticus 19:11 , the prohibition against stealing is reiterated alongside other ethical commands: "You must not steal. You must not lie or deceive one another." This verse highlights the interconnectedness of theft with other forms of dishonesty and deceit.
The New Testament also addresses the issue of stealing. In
Ephesians 4:28 , the Apostle Paul instructs believers: "He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing good with his own hands, that he may have something to share with the one in need." This passage not only condemns theft but also encourages productive labor and generosity.
Moral and Theological Implications:Stealing is seen as a violation of God's law and an affront to His character, which is marked by truth and justice. It disrupts the social order and trust within a community, leading to conflict and harm. The act of stealing is often associated with covetousness, as it involves desiring and taking what belongs to another.
The Bible emphasizes restitution and repentance for those who have stolen. In the Old Testament, the law required a thief to make restitution, often by returning more than what was taken (
Exodus 22:1-4). This principle underscores the importance of making amends and restoring relationships.
Spiritual Lessons and Applications:The prohibition against stealing serves as a reminder of the value of contentment and trust in God's provision. Believers are called to live honestly and to respect the rights and possessions of others. The transformation of a thief into a generous and hardworking individual, as described in
Ephesians 4:28, illustrates the power of the Gospel to change hearts and lives.
Stealing, in its broader sense, can also refer to taking credit for someone else's work, ideas, or achievements. Christians are encouraged to give honor where it is due and to act with integrity in all areas of life.
Conclusion:The biblical teaching on stealing is clear and unequivocal. It is a sin that not only harms others but also damages one's relationship with God. Through repentance, restitution, and a commitment to honest living, individuals can align themselves with God's will and reflect His righteousness in their lives.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) A handle; a stale, or stele.
2. (v. t.) To take and carry away, feloniously; to take without right or leave, and with intent to keep wrongfully; as, to steal the personal goods of another.
3. (v. t.) To withdraw or convey clandestinely (reflexive); hence, to creep furtively, or to insinuate.
4. (v. t.) To gain by insinuating arts or covert means.
5. (v. t.) To get into one's power gradually and by imperceptible degrees; to take possession of by a gradual and imperceptible appropriation; -- with away.
6. (v. t.) To accomplish in a concealed or unobserved manner; to try to carry out secretly; as, to steal a look.
7. (v. i.) To practice, or be guilty of, theft; to commit larceny or theft.
8. (v. i.) To withdraw, or pass privily; to slip in, along, or away, unperceived; to go or come furtively.
Greek
2813. klepto -- tosteal... 2812, 2813. klepto. 2814 . to
steal. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration:
klepto Phonetic Spelling: (klep'-to) Short Definition: I
steal Definition: I
steal...5195. hubrizo -- to run riot, to outrage, insult
... 5195 (from 5196 , "an injury, reproach") -- properly, to seize (steal); (figuratively)
to injure, bring loss, especially to damage someone's reputation (good...
Strong's Hebrew
1589. ganab -- tosteal... 1588, 1589. ganab. 1590 . to
steal. Transliteration: ganab Phonetic Spelling:
(gaw-nab') Short Definition:
steal. Word Origin a prim.
...1497. gazal -- to tear away, seize, rob
... commit (2), commits (1), committed (1), consume (1), force (1), rob (3), robbed
(6), robs (2), seize (2), seized (2), snatch (1), snatched (2),steal (1), take...
Library
Thou Shalt notSteal.
... Thou shalt notsteal. After your person and spouse temporal property comes
next. That also God wishes to have protected, and He...
Whether it is Lawful toSteal through Stress of Need?
... OF THEFT AND ROBBERY (NINE ARTICLES) Whether it is lawful tosteal through stress
of need? Objection 1: It would seem unlawful tosteal through stress of need....
"I'll NeverSteal Again --If Father Kills Me for It"
... "I'LL NEVERSTEAL AGAIN"IF FATHER KILLS ME FOR IT".... "Father got drunk sir,
and beat me 'cos I wouldn'tsteal.". "Did you eversteal?"....
Thou Shalt notSteal.
... Thou shalt notsteal. This Commandment also has a work, which embraces
very many good works, and is opposed to many vices, and is...
The Approbation of Goodness is not the Love of It.
... thyself? thou that preachest a man should notsteal, dost thousteal?... thyself? thou
that preachest that a man should notsteal, dost thousteal?...
You Chose a Bad Introducer. If You Will Take My Counsel, Both You...
... Thou that preachest that a man should notsteal, dost thousteal?... Thou that
preachest that a man should notsteal, dost thousteal?...
Matt. xxviii. 11-14.
... How did theysteal Him?... For how, I ask, did the disciplessteal Him, men poor and
unlearned, and not venturing so much as to show themselves? What?...
The Young Martyr
... a gang of idle, ill-looking, big boys; who, when they saw Kund, came up to him;
and said they wanted him to go into Mr. Elston's garden andsteal some apples....
You Observe How He Treats Ambrose. First, He Calls Him a Crow and...
... vain glory"? But I might turn the tables on you and ask, Thou that sayest
that a man should notsteal, dost thousteal? I might...
From the Seventh to the End of the Tenth Commandment
... A. The Seventh Commandment is: Thou shalt notsteal.... Even if you only help another
tosteal, and receive none of the stolen goods, you are guilty....
Thesaurus
Steal (29 Occurrences)... 2. (vt) To take and carry away, feloniously; to take without right or leave, and
with intent to keep wrongfully; as, to
steal the personal goods of another.
...Thief (41 Occurrences)
... thef: In the Old Testament the uniform translation (17 times) of gannabh, from ganabh,
"steal," but gannabh is rather broader than the English "thief," and may...
Commit (142 Occurrences)
... Matthew 19:18 He said to him, "Which ones?" Jesus said, "'You shall not
murder.''You shall not commit adultery.''You shall notsteal.''You shall not offer...
Pilfer (2 Occurrences)
... 1. (vi) Tosteal in small quantities, or articles of small value; to practice petty
theft. 2. (vt) To take by petty theft; to filch; tosteal little by little....
Stole (9 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (imp.) ofSteal. 2. (v.) imp. ofSteal. 3. (n.)
A stolon. 4. (n.) A long, loose garment reaching to the feet....
Evidence (41 Occurrences)
... Jesus answered, "'Thou shalt not kill;' 'Thou shalt not commit adultery;' 'Thou
shalt notsteal;' 'Thou shalt not lie in giving evidence;' (WEY)....
Thieves (25 Occurrences)
... Matthew 6:19 "Don't lay up treasures for yourselves on the earth, where moth and
rust consume, and where thieves break through andsteal; (WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE...
Murder (41 Occurrences)
... Matthew 19:18 He said to him, "Which ones?" Jesus said, "'You shall not
murder.''You shall not commit adultery.''You shall notsteal.''You shall not offer...
Destroy (379 Occurrences)
... Matthew 6:19 "Do not lay up stores of wealth for yourselves on earth, where the
moth and wear-and-tear destroy, and where thieves break in andsteal....
Kill (310 Occurrences)
... Jesus answered, "'Thou shalt not kill;' 'Thou shalt not commit adultery;' 'Thou
shalt notsteal;' 'Thou shalt not lie in giving evidence;' (WEY ASV DBY YLT RSV...
Resources
What is sacrilege? What does it mean to be sacrilegious? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that “where your treasure is there will your heart be also”? | GotQuestions.orgHow many children did King David have? | GotQuestions.orgSteal: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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