Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Overview:Theft, in biblical terms, refers to the unlawful taking of someone else's property with the intent to permanently deprive the owner of it. It is considered a sin and a violation of God's commandments. The act of theft is condemned throughout Scripture, and it is addressed in both the Old and New Testaments.
Biblical Commandments Against Theft:The prohibition against theft is explicitly stated in the Ten Commandments, which form a foundational ethical code in the Bible.
Exodus 20:15 clearly states, "You shall not steal." This commandment underscores the importance of respecting others' property and maintaining integrity in one's dealings.
Old Testament Laws and Penalties:The Old Testament provides detailed laws regarding theft and the restitution required. In
Exodus 22:1-4 , specific penalties are outlined for various types of theft, emphasizing restitution: "If a man steals an ox or a sheep and slaughters or sells it, he must repay five oxen for an ox and four sheep for a sheep." The principle of restitution highlights the need to make amends and restore what was taken, often with an additional penalty to deter future theft.
Theft in the New Testament:The New Testament continues to uphold the prohibition against theft. In
Ephesians 4:28 , the Apostle Paul instructs, "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 honest labor and generosity.
Moral and Spiritual Implications:Theft is not merely a legal issue but also a moral and spiritual one. It reflects a lack of trust in God's provision and a disregard for the well-being of others.
Proverbs 30:8-9 expresses a desire for integrity and dependence on God: "Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the bread that is my portion, lest I become full and deny You, saying, 'Who is the LORD?' Or lest I become poor and steal, and thereby profane the name of my God."
Theft and the Heart:Jesus taught that theft, like other sins, originates in the heart. In
Mark 7:21-23 , He states, "For from within the hearts of men come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, debauchery, envy, slander, arrogance, and foolishness. All these evils come from within, and these are what defile a man." This teaching emphasizes the need for inner transformation and purity of heart.
Repentance and Forgiveness:The Bible offers hope for those who have committed theft through repentance and forgiveness. The account of Zacchaeus in
Luke 19:1-10 illustrates this. Zacchaeus, a tax collector who had defrauded others, repented and made restitution, saying, "Look, Lord, half of my possessions I give to the poor, and if I have cheated anyone, I will repay it fourfold." Jesus responded, "Today salvation has come to this house."
Conclusion:Theft is a serious offense in biblical teaching, with both legal and spiritual dimensions. It is condemned as a violation of God's commandments and an act that harms both the victim and the perpetrator. The Bible calls for restitution, repentance, and a transformation of the heart, emphasizing the importance of integrity, trust in God, and love for one's neighbor.
ATS Bible Dictionary
TheftExodus 20:15Proverbs 22:22, under the Mosaic law, was punished by exacting a double or a quadruple restitution, which was secured if necessary by the sale of the goods or services of the thief to the requisite amount,Exodus 22:1-8,232 Samuel 12:6Proverbs 6:30,31Luke 19:8. A night-robber might lawfully be slain in the act; and a man-stealer was to be punished by death,Exodus 21:16 22:2.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Punished by restitution, the proportions of which are noted in
2 Samuel 12:6. If the thief could not pay the fine, he was to be sold to a Hebrew master till he could pay (
Exodus 22:1-4). A night-thief might be smitten till he died, and there would be no blood-guiltiness for him (
22:2). A man-stealer was to be put to death (
21:16). All theft is forbidden (
Exodus 20:15;
21:16;
Leviticus 19:11;
Deuteronomy 5:19;
24:7;
Psalm 50:18;
Zechariah 5:3;
Matthew 19:18;
Romans 13:9;
Ephesians 4:28;
1 Peter 4:15).
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) The act of stealing; specifically, the felonious taking and removing of personal property, with an intent to deprive the rightful owner of the same; larceny.
2. (n.) The thing stolen.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
THEFTSeeCRIMES;PUNISHMENTS.
Greek
2829. klope --theft...theft. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: klope Phonetic Spelling:
(klop-ay') Short Definition: thieving,
theft Definition: thieving,
theft.
...2809. klemma --theft
... klemma. 2810 .theft. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: klemma Phonetic
Spelling: (klem'-mah) Short Definition: atheft Definition: atheft....
1888. epautophoro -- in the very act.
... From epi and autos and (the dative case singular of) a derivative of phor (a thief);
intheft itself, ie (by analogy) in actual crime -- in the very act....
Strong's Hebrew
1591. genebah -- a thing stolen... 1590, 1591. genebah. 1592 . a thing stolen. Transliteration: genebah Phonetic
Spelling: (ghen-ay-baw') Short Definition:
theft.
...theft.
...1592. Genubath -- son of an Edomite
... Genubath. From ganab;theft; Genubath, an Edomitish prince -- Genubath. see HEBREW
ganab. 1591, 1592. Genubath. 1593 . Strong's Numbers.
Library
WhetherTheft is Always a Sin?
... OFTHEFT AND ROBBERY (NINE ARTICLES) Whethertheft is always a sin? Objection
1: It would seem thattheft is not always a sin. For...
Whether the Essence ofTheft Consists in Taking Another's Thing...
... OFTHEFT AND ROBBERY (NINE ARTICLES) Whether the essence oftheft consists
in taking another's thing secretly? Objection 1: It would...
OfTheft and Robbery (Nine Articles)
... OFTHEFT AND ROBBERY (NINE ARTICLES).... (3) Whethertheft is the secret taking of
another's property? (4) Whether robbery is a species of sin distinct fromtheft?...
WhetherTheft and Robbery are Sins of Different Species?
... OFTHEFT AND ROBBERY (NINE ARTICLES) Whethertheft and robbery are sins
of different species? Objection 1: It would seem thattheft...
WhetherTheft is a More Grievous Sin than Robbery?
... OFTHEFT AND ROBBERY (NINE ARTICLES) Whethertheft is a more grievous sin
than robbery? Objection 1: It would seem thattheft is...
Why He Delighted in thatTheft, when all Things which under the...
... Book II. Chapter VI."Why He Delighted in thatTheft, When All Things Which Under
the Appearance of Good Invite to Vice are True and Perfect in God Alone. 12....
Theft is Punished by Thy Law, O Lord, and the Law Written in the...
... Book II Chapter IVTheft is punished by Thy law, O Lord, and the law written
in the hearts?Theft is punished by Thy law, O Lord...
In hisTheft He Loved the Company of his Fellow-Sinners.
... Chapter VIII."In HisTheft He Loved the Company of His Fellow-Sinners. 16.... And as
thetheft itself was nothing, all the more wretched was I who loved it....
He CommitsTheft with his Companions, not Urged on by Poverty, but...
... Book II. Chapter IV."He CommitsTheft with His Companions, Not Urged on
by Poverty, But from a Certain Distaste of Well-Doing....
On the Saying of the Saviour, "All that came Before Me were...
... For thetheft which reached men then, had some advantage; not that he who perpetrated
thetheft had utility in his eye, but Providence directed the issue of...
Thesaurus
Theft (5 Occurrences)... All
theft is forbidden (Exodus 20:15; 21:16; Leviticus 19:11; Deuteronomy 5:19;
24:7; Psalm 50:18; Zechariah 5:3; Matthew 19:18; Romans 13:9; Ephesians 4:28; 1
...Thief (41 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) One who steals; one who commitstheft or larceny.
SeeTheft. 2. (n.) A waster in the snuff of a candle. Int....
Lift (283 Occurrences)
... 4. (vt) To bear; to support. 5. (vt) To collect, as moneys due; to raise. 6. (vt)
To steal; to carry off bytheft (esp.... 9. (vt) To live bytheft. 10....
Genubath (1 Occurrence)
... Easton's Bible DictionaryTheft, the son of Hadad, of the Edomitish royal
family. He was brought up in Pharaoh's household. His...
Pilfer (2 Occurrences)
... 1. (vi) To steal in small quantities, or articles of small value; to practice petty
theft. 2. (vt) To take by pettytheft; to filch; to steal little by little....
Steal (29 Occurrences)
... secretly; as, to steal a look. 7. (vi) To practice, or be guilty of,theft;
to commit larceny ortheft. 8. (vi) To withdraw, or pass...
Code (6 Occurrences)
... CONTENTS OF THE CODE 1. The Principles of Legal Process 2.Theft, Burglary, Robbery
3. Laws concerning Vassalage 4. Immovables 5. Trader and Agent 6. Taverns 7...
Ten (234 Occurrences)
... Of the "ten words," seven were perhaps binding on the consciences of enlightened
men prior to the days of Moses: murder, adultery,theft and false witness were...
Stealing (8 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary seeTHEFT.... 2. (n.) The act of taking feloniously the personal
property of another without his consent and knowledge;theft; larceny....
Adultery (49 Occurrences)
... Matthew 15:19 For out of the heart proceed wicked thoughts, murder, adultery,
fornication,theft, perjury, impiety of speech. (WEY RSV NIV)....
Resources
Why is "You shall not steal" in the Ten Commandments? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about vandalism? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about restitution? | GotQuestions.orgTheft: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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