In the context of the Bible, the term "stealer" refers to one who takes the property of another without permission, commonly known as a thief. The act of stealing is explicitly condemned throughout Scripture, and it is considered a violation of God's commandments and moral law.

Biblical Commandments Against Stealing

The prohibition against stealing is clearly articulated in the Ten Commandments, which serve as a foundational ethical code in Judeo-Christian tradition. The Eighth Commandment states, "You shall not steal" (Exodus 20:15). This commandment underscores the importance of respecting the property and rights of others, reflecting God's desire for justice and righteousness among His people.

Old Testament References

In the Old Testament, stealing is addressed not only in the Decalogue but also in various laws given to the Israelites. For instance, Leviticus 19:11 instructs, "You must not steal. You must not lie or deceive one another" . This verse links stealing with deceit, highlighting the broader ethical implications of theft as a breach of trust and integrity.

The consequences of stealing are also outlined in the Mosaic Law. Exodus 22:1-4 provides specific restitution requirements for theft, emphasizing the need for justice and restoration. The law required a thief to repay multiple times the value of what was stolen, demonstrating the seriousness with which God views this sin.

New Testament Teachings

The New Testament continues to affirm the prohibition against stealing. In Ephesians 4:28, the Apostle Paul exhorts 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, reflecting a transformed life in Christ.

Additionally, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 warns that thieves, among others, will not inherit the kingdom of God, indicating the spiritual consequences of unrepentant theft. This underscores the need for repentance and a change of heart, aligning one's actions with God's standards.

Moral and Spiritual Implications

Stealing is more than a mere legal issue; it is a moral and spiritual transgression that disrupts community harmony and violates the trust between individuals. It reflects a lack of contentment and faith in God's provision, as well as a disregard for the well-being of others. The Bible calls believers to a higher standard, one that values honesty, integrity, and love for one's neighbor.

Conclusion

The biblical perspective on stealing is clear and unequivocal. It is a sin that not only harms individuals and communities but also offends God. Through the teachings of Scripture, believers are called to reject theft in all its forms and to pursue a life of righteousness, marked by respect for others and trust in God's provision.1. (n.) One who steals; a thief.

2. (n.) The endmost plank of a strake which stops short of the stem or stern.

2812. kleptes -- a thief
... thief. From klepto; a stealer (literally or figuratively) -- thief. Compare leistes.
see GREEK klepto. see GREEK leistes. (kleptai) -- 4 Occurrences. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2812.htm - 6k1590. gannab -- a thief
... Word Origin from ganab Definition a thief NASB Word Usage thief (13), thieves (4).
thief. From ganab; a stealer -- thief. see HEBREW ganab. 1589, 1590. ...
/hebrew/1590.htm - 6k

And Jesus Said, to Judge the World am I Come...
... verily, I say unto you, Whosoever entereth not into the fold of the sheep by the
door, but goeth up from another place, that man is a thief and a [5, 6] stealer ...
/.../hogg/the diatessaron of tatian/section xxxvii and jesus said.htm

1 John iv. 12-Apr
... A father beats a boy, and a boy-stealer caresses. If thou name the two things, blows
and caresses, who would not choose the caresses, and decline the blows? ...
/.../ten homilies on the epistle of john to the parthians/homily vii 1 john iv.htm

Ephesians iv. 25-27
... Sie kann allein, Den ganzen Umfang seines Werths erkennen.--GA]. [343] baptizomen
ten machairan eis to tou diabolou stethos. [344] ["The stealer (hoklepton) is ...
/.../homily xiv ephesians iv 25-27.htm

Colossians i. 9, 10
... He mixes together the slaves with their masters, like some man-stealer [726] and
ungrateful servant; he strives to degrade the free to the level of the criminal ...
/.../homily ii colossians i 9.htm

The Parable of the Lost Sheep
... in so many words, but by a rapid action he declared it: for a man does not bear
away a sheep to which he has no right: this was not a sheep-stealer, but a ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 30 1884/the parable of the lost.htm

Acts xvii. 32-34, xviii. 1
... huphairethenta eschune tosouton is incomplete; viz. "the owner, by the exposure
of the noisomeness, as the stealer himself who produces it.". ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xxxix acts xvii 32-34.htm

Psalm VII.
... Accordingly, the stealer of money, for instance, while he desires to inflict painful
harm upon another, is himself maimed by the wound of avarice. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm vii.htm

Stealer (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (n.) One who steals; a thief. 2. (n.) The endmost plank of a strake which stops
short of the stem or stern. Multi-Version Concordance Stealer (1 Occurrence). ...
/s/stealer.htm - 6k

Stealeth (11 Occurrences)

/s/stealeth.htm - 9k

Steal (29 Occurrences)

/s/steal.htm - 16k

Toil (66 Occurrences)
... Ephesians 4:28 Let the stealer steal no more, but rather let him toil, working what
is honest with his hands, that he may have to distribute to him that has ...
/t/toil.htm - 25k

Theft (5 Occurrences)
... 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 ...
/t/theft.htm - 9k

Distribute (23 Occurrences)
... Ephesians 4:28 Let the stealer steal no more, but rather let him toil, working what
is honest with his hands, that he may have to distribute to him that has ...
/d/distribute.htm - 14k

Crimes (22 Occurrences)
... the Canaanites. See MOLECH. Kidnapping (Man-Stealing). andrapodistes =
"man-stealer," "slave-dealer" (1 Timothy 1:10). This was ...
/c/crimes.htm - 44k

Crime (45 Occurrences)
... the Canaanites. See MOLECH. Kidnapping (Man-Stealing). andrapodistes =
"man-stealer," "slave-dealer" (1 Timothy 1:10). This was ...
/c/crime.htm - 51k

Stealer: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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