A desire for another's gifts, possessions, position or achievements, closely associated with jealousy.
Causes of envy
Envy is the result of human sin
Galatians 5:19–21 See also Proverbs 23:17; Matthew 15:19–20 parallel Mark 7:21–23; Romans 1:29; 1 Corinthians 3:3; 1 Timothy 6:4; Titus 3:3; 1 Peter 2:1–2
The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions, and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Envy arises from the good fortune of others
Genesis 26:12–14; 1 Samuel 18:6–8; Psalm 73:3; Matthew 20:12–15
Love does not envy others
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
Envy arises from the spiritual abilities of others
Psalm 106:16–18; Acts 13:44–45 See also Numbers 11:28–30, Numbers 12:2, Numbers 16:1–3; Matthew 27:18 parallel Mark 15:10; Acts 17:5; Philippians 1:15
In the camp they envied Moses, as well as Aaron, the holy one of the LORD. The earth opened up and swallowed Dathan; it covered the assembly of Abiram. Then fire blazed through their company; flames consumed the wicked.
On the following Sabbath, nearly the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy, and they blasphemously contradicted what Paul was saying.
Examples of envy
Cain envies Abel
So in the course of time, Cain brought some of the fruit of the soil as an offering to the LORD, while Abel brought the best portions of the firstborn of his flock. And the LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but He had no regard for Cain and his offering. So Cain became very angry, and his countenance fell.
Esau envies Jacob
Esau held a grudge against Jacob because of the blessing his father had given him. And Esau said in his heart, “The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then I will kill my brother Jacob.”
Rachel envies Leah
When Rachel saw that she was not bearing any children for Jacob, she envied her sister. “Give me children, or I will die!” she said to Jacob.
The brothers envy Joseph
When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him.
Results of envy
Job 5:2 See also Proverbs 14:30; Ecclesiastes 4:4; James 3:14–16
For resentment kills a fool, and envy slays the simple.
In some cases, envy can be used by God
Romans 10:19, Romans 11:11, Romans 11:13–14 Paul hopes that the Gentiles' response to the gospel might make Israel want its blessings as well. See also Deuteronomy 32:21
I ask instead, did Israel not understand? First, Moses says: “I will make you jealous by those who are not a nation; I will make you angry by a nation without understanding.”
I ask then, did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Certainly not! However, because of their trespass, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel jealous.
I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry in the hope that I may provoke my own people to jealousy and save some of them.
Envy forbidden
Psalm 37:1 See also Proverbs 3:31, Proverbs 24:1; Galatians 5:26
Of David. Do not fret over those who do evil; do not envy those who do wrong.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.