Steal
Bridgeway Bible Dictionary [1]
There are many reasons why people steal, but the common feature of all stealing is that the thief unlawfully takes what belongs to someone else. For some people stealing is part of their way of life, and they may even have deliberately set out on a path of robbery and violence ( Judges 9:25; Luke 10:30; John 10:10). For others stealing is contrary to their normal behaviour, but they may have been overcome by temptation in a moment of weakness ( Joshua 7:21; 1 Corinthians 10:12-13). Covetousness and greed are usually the cause of stealing ( Micah 2:2; James 1:14-15; James 4:1-2; see Covet ), though some people steal because they are poor and in desperate need ( Proverbs 30:8-9).
Regardless of the reason, stealing is wrong, though there may be degrees of seriousness. A hungry man who steals food is not as bad as a lustful man who steals another’s wife ( Proverbs 6:30-35). People who steal can easily have the appearance of respectability. Through deceit and cunning, they may be able to cheat the government, outclass their rivals and exploit the defenceless, but any dishonesty in such matters is still a form of stealing ( 1 Kings 21:1-15; Proverbs 21:6; Isaiah 1:23; Micah 6:10-13; John 12:4-6; Romans 13:6-7).
Those found guilty of stealing should make repayment to the lawful owner, as well as pay the legal penalty ( Exodus 20:15; Exodus 22:1-4). The thief that becomes a Christian must not be satisfied merely with correcting the past and deciding to earn an honest living in the future. There must be the added goal of giving generously to those in need ( Ephesians 4:28).
King James Dictionary [2]
Steal pret. stole pp. stolen, stole. G. L, to take, to lift.
1. To take and carry away feloniously, as the personal goods of another. To constitute stealing or theft, the taking must be felonious, that is, with an intent to take what belongs to another, and without his consent.
Let him that stole, steal no more. Ephesians 4 .
2. To Withdraw or convey without notice or clandestinely.
They could insinuate and steal themselves under the same by submission.
3. To gain or win by address or gradual and imperceptible means.
Variety of objects has a tendency to steal away the mind from its steady pursuit of any subject.
So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel. 2 Samuel 15 .
STEAL,
1. To withdraw or pass privily to slip along or away unperceived.
Fixed of mind to fly all company, one night she stole away.
From whom you now must steal and take no leave.
A soft and solemn breathing sound rose like a steam of rich distilld perfumes, and stole upon the air.
2. To practice theft to take feloniously. He steals for a livelihood.
Thou shalt not steal. Exodus 20 .
Webster's Dictionary [3]
(1): ( v. t.) To accomplish in a concealed or unobserved manner; to try to carry out secretly; as, to steal a look.
(2): ( v. i.) To practice, or be guilty of, theft; to commit larceny or theft.
(3): ( 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.
(4): ( n.) A handle; a stale, or stele.
(5): ( 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.
(6): ( v. t.) To withdraw or convey clandestinely (reflexive); hence, to creep furtively, or to insinuate.
(7): ( v. t.) To gain by insinuating arts or covert means.
(8): ( v. i.) To withdraw, or pass privily; to slip in, along, or away, unperceived; to go or come furtively.
Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words [4]
"to steal," akin to kleptes, "a thief" (cp. Eng., "kleptomania"), occurs in Matthew 6:19,20; 19:18; 27:64; 28:13; Mark 10:19; Luke 18:20; John 10:10; Romans 2:21 (twice); 13:9; Ephesians 4:28 (twice).
Wilson's Dictionary of Bible Types [5]
John 10:10 (b) False teachers do take away from human hearts the possibilities of GOD's approval and the blessing of GOD's presence. They take away from Christians the possibility of a reward, and with the unsaved they remove their opportunity to be saved.
Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature [6]
( גָּנִב , Κλέπτω ). The Mosaic law on the subject of stealing is contained in Exodus 22 and consists of the following enactments:
1. He who stole and killed an ox or a sheep was to restore five oxen for the ox, and four sheep for the sheep.
2. If the stolen animal was found alive, the thief was to restore double.
3. If a man was found stealing in a dwelling house at night and was killed in the act, the homicide was not held guilty of murder.
4. If the act was committed during daylight, the thief might not be killed, but was bound to make full restitution or be sold into slavery.
5. If money or goods deposited in a man's house were stolen therefrom, the thief, when detected, was to pay double; but
6. If the thief could not be found, the master of the house was to be examined before the judges.
7. If an animal given in charge to a man to keep was stolen from him, i.e. through his negligence, he was to make restitution to the owner. (See Oath). There seems to be no reason to suppose that the law underwent any alteration in Solomon's time, as Michaelis supposes; the expression in Proverbs 6:30-31 is that a thief detected in stealing should restore sevenfold, i.e. to the full amount, and for this purpose even give all the substance of his house, and thus in case of failure be liable to servitude (Michaelis, Laws Of Moses, § 284). On the other hand, see Bertheau on Proverbs 6; and Keil, Arch. Hebr. § 154. Man stealing was punishable with death ( Exodus 21:16; Deuteronomy 24:7). Invasion of right in land was strictly forbidden (27:17; Isaiah 5:8; Micah 2:2). (See Theft).
