The coveting of greed

Notice that "covet greed" is a form of "meta greed". This is, a greed about greed.

More: Have you ever met a prefix like this?

What is the difference between being jealous, being zealous, coveting or just wanting more of something? One hierarchy is as follows.

Wanting something or more of some object.
Wanting something that someone else has (same of different object).
Competing with someone else for the same object.

Here, an "object" can be physical, abstract, a goal, etc.

A "desire" for an "object" or "goal" is not in itself bad.

However, things may go wrong.

If "Person 1" and "Person 2" have an eager rivalry for the same "Goal", then "zeal", as in the Greek, is used and is related to the Greek for "seek" and "damage".
If "Person 2" wants the "Object" that "Person 3" has, then "Person 2" does "covet" that "Object".
If "Person 2" does not like that "Person 3" has an "Object", then "Person 2" has "envy" of "Person 3", same in English and Greek. This is similar to the English "jealousy" which, in English, but not Greek, is related to "zealous".

More: Seeking damages from zealous jealousy

Let us look at each of these in turn.

Wanting more of something.
Coveting - wanting something someone else has.

Zeal is covered separately.

Zeal - eager competitive rivalry to get the same thing where only one side can win.

More: Seeking damages from zealous jealousy

Luke 12:15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. [kjv]

ειπεν δε προς αυτους ορατε και φυλασσεσθε απο πασης πλεονεξιας οτι ουκ εν τω περισσευειν τινι η ζωη αυτου εστιν εκ των υπαρχοντων αυτω [gnt]

There are various Greek words for wanting more of something. The KJV (King James Version) usually translates this as "covetousness" but sometimes as "greediness". One word for "wanting more" is the ancient Greek word "πλεονεξία" ≈ "greediness" and is made up of two parts.

The ancient Greek word "πλέον" ≈ "more" and comes from the word for a flow or float as in a sailing ship on water.
The ancient Greek word "ἔχω" ≈ "have".

Thus, the word means, literally, "having more" or, "wanting more".

Luke 12:15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. [kjv]

ειπεν δε προς αυτους ορατε και φυλασσεσθε απο πασης πλεονεξιας οτι ουκ εν τω περισσευειν τινι η ζωη αυτου εστιν εκ των υπαρχοντων αυτω [gnt]

… avaritia … [v]

The Latin word "avarus" ≈ "greedy, covetous". The word appears to have been used to translate the "greedy" part of the Greek but the "covetous" part of the definition tended to be used in later translations (apparently based on the Latin).

Luke 12:15

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KJV: And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

Greek: ειπεν δε προς αυτους ορατε και φυλασσεσθε απο της πασης πλεονεξιας οτι ουκ εν τω περισσευειν τινι η ζωη αυτου εστιν εκ των υπαρχοντων αυτου αυτω

Latin: dixitque ad illos videte et cavete ab omni avaritia quia non in abundantia cuiusquam vita eius est ex his quae possidet

*G4124 *10 πλεονεξία (pleh-on-ex-ee'-ah) : from G4123; avarice, i.e. (by implication) fraudulency, extortion:--covetous(-ness) practices, greediness.

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πλεονεξια *4

Romans 1:29 ... unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, ...
Ephesians 4:19 ... all uncleanness with greediness.
Ephesians 5:3 ... all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named ...
2 Peter 2:3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words ...

πλεονεξιας *3

Luke 12:15 ... and beware of covetousness: for a man's life ...
1 Thessalonians 2:5 ... ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness:
2 Peter 2:14 ... souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:

πλεονεξιαν *2

2 Corinthians 9:5 ... and not as of covetousness.
Colossians 3:5 ... evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

πλεονεξιαι

Mark 7:22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an ...

*G4124 *10 πλεονεξία (pleh-on-ex-ee'-ah) : from G4123; avarice, i.e. (by implication) fraudulency, extortion:--covetous(-ness) practices, greediness.

Words: πλεονεξια=4 πλεονεξιαι πλεονεξιαν=2 πλεονεξιας=3

Romans 1:29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, [kjv]

πεπληρωμενους παση αδικια πονηρια πλεονεξια κακια μεστους φθονου φονου εριδος δολου κακοηθειας ψιθυριστας [gnt]

… avaritia … [v]

Romans 1:29

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KJV: Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,

Greek: πεπληρωμενους παση αδικια πορνεια πονηρια πλεονεξια κακια μεστους φθονου φονου εριδος δολου κακοηθειας ψιθυριστας

Latin: repletos omni iniquitate malitia fornicatione avaritia nequitia plenos invidia homicidio contentione dolo malignitate susurrones

Spanish: estando atestados de toda iniquidad, de fornicación, de malicia, de avaricia, de maldad; llenos de envidias, de homicidios, de contiendas, de engaños, de malignidades;

Ephesians 4:19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. [kjv]

οιτινες απηλγηκοτες εαυτους παρεδωκαν τη ασελγεια εις εργασιαν ακαθαρσιας πασης εν πλεονεξια [gnt]

… avaritia [v]

Ephesians 4:19

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KJV: Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.

Greek: οιτινες απηλγηκοτες εαυτους παρεδωκαν τη ασελγεια εις εργασιαν ακαθαρσιας πασης εν πλεονεξια

Latin: qui desperantes semet ipsos tradiderunt inpudicitiae in operationem inmunditiae omnis in avaritia

Wycliffe: Which dispeirynge bitoken hem silf to vnchastite, in to the worchyng of al vnclennesse in coueitise.

Geneva: Which being past feeling, haue giuen themselues vnto wantonnesse, to woorke all vncleannesse, euen with griedinesse.

Gothic: thaiei uswenans waurthanai sik silbans atgebun aglaitein in waurstwein unhrainithos allaizos, in faihufrikein.

Spanish: los cuales habiendo perdido toda sensibilidad, se entregaron a la lascivia para con avidez cometer toda clase de impureza.

1 Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. [kjv]

ριζα γαρ παντων των κακων εστιν η φιλαργυρια ης τινες ορεγομενοι απεπλανηθησαν απο της πιστεως και εαυτους περιεπειραν οδυναις πολλαις [gnt]

The ancient Greek word "φιλαργυρια" ≈ "love of silver" and which is translated as "covertness" or "love of money" comes from "φίλος" ≈ "that which is loved or important, friend" and "ἄργυρος" ≈ "silver".
Discuss: Which is the root of all evil?

The "desire of money".
The "desire to be greatest".
The "desire to have dominion over other human beings".
Something else.

More: Matthew 18:1-11 Great children trapped in the middle

Genesis 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. [kjv]

και ειπεν ο θεος ποιησωμεν ανθρωπον κατ εικονα ημετεραν και καθ ομοιωσιν και αρχετωσαν των ιχθυων της θαλασσης και των πετεινων του ουρανου και των κτηνων και πασης της γης και παντων των ερπετων των ερποντων επι της γης [lxx]

1:28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. [kjv]

και ηυλογησεν αυτους ο θεος λεγων αυξανεσθε και πληθυνεσθε και πληρωσατε την γην και κατακυριευσατε αυτης και αρχετε των ιχθυων της θαλασσης και των πετεινων του ουρανου και παντων των κτηνων και πασης της γης και παντων των ερπετων των ερποντων επι της γης [lxx]

The word "replenish" means to "fill up" or, in Greek, "complete". Man is to have "dominion" over the "fish", "birds", "pigs", "wolves", "snakes", etc., but not over other men. Is this a "root" of "evil"? Would men as "fish", "birds", "pigs", "wolves", "snakes", etc., ever attempt to have "dominion" over men such as "sheep"?

More: Matthew 18:1-11 Great children trapped in the middle

More: Lower than the angels

1 Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. [kjv]

ριζα γαρ παντων των κακων εστιν η φιλαργυρια ης τινες ορεγομενοι απεπλανηθησαν απο της πιστεως και εαυτους περιεπειραν οδυναις πολλαις [gnt]

… cupiditas … [v]

The Greek word for "silver" is related to the Latin word "argentum" ≈ "silver" which is the source of the name "Argentina" and the chemical abbreviation for silver "Ag".

The Latin word "cupiditas" ≈ "desire, passion".

1 Timothy 6:10

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KJV: For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

Greek: ριζα γαρ παντων των κακων εστιν η φιλαργυρια ης τινες ορεγομενοι απεπλανηθησαν απο της πιστεως και εαυτους περιεπειραν οδυναις πολλαις

Latin: radix enim omnium malorum est cupiditas quam quidam appetentes erraverunt a fide et inseruerunt se doloribus multis

Wycliffe: For the rote of alle yuelis is coueytise, which summen coueitinge erriden fro the feith, and bisettiden hem with many sorewis.

Spanish: Porque el amor al dinero es la raíz de todos los males; el cual codiciando algunos, se extraviaron de la fe, y se traspasaron con muchos dolores.

*G5365 *1 φιλαργυρία (fil-ar-goo-ree'-ah) : from G5366 φιλάργυρος; avarice:--love of money.

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φιλαργυρια

1 Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: ...

*G5366 *2 φιλάργυρος (fil-ar'-goo-ros) : from G5384 and G696; fond of silver (money), i.e. avaricious:--covetous.

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φιλαργυροι *2

Luke 16:14 And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: ...
2 Timothy 3:2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, ...

1 Timothy 3:3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; [kjv]

μη παροινον μη πληκτην αισχροκερδηαλλ αλλα επιεικη αμαχον αφιλαργυρον [gnt]

… cupidum [v]

The ancient Greek word "φιλαργυρια" ≈ "love of silver". The KJV translates "lover of silver" as "covetous".

*G5365 *1 φιλαργυρία (fil-ar-goo-ree'-ah) : from G5366 φιλάργυρος; avarice:--love of money.

*G5366 *2 φιλάργυρος (fil-ar'-goo-ros) : from G5384 and G696; fond of silver (money), i.e. avaricious:--covetous.

Words: φιλαργυρια φιλαργυροι=2

1 Timothy 3:3

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KJV: Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;

Greek: μη παροινον μη πληκτην μη αισχροκερδηαλλ αλλα επιεικη αμαχον αφιλαργυρον

Latin: non vinolentum non percussorem sed modestum non litigiosum non cupidum

Wycliffe: not youun myche to wyn, not a smytere, but temperat, not ful of chiding, not coueitouse, wel reulinge his hous,

"αισχροκέρδη" (eh-skhro-KEHR-thee) ≈ "greedy" (literally shamed of gain)
"αφιλαρφύρον" (a-fee-lar-FEE-ron) ≈ "covetous" (literally not a lover of silver or money)

Jesus sets up an analogy involving who is to be served.

The difference between "God is love" and "Love is god" can be subtle and deceptive - especially when spoken without the distinction between the one and only creator "God" and a "god" as in an idol or a desire.

This fallacy is common, covered extensively by Aristotle, and called the converse fallacy as one of many names describing it.

More: Converse fallacy: If A then B does not mean If B then A

More: Love is the only way

Matthew 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. [kjv]

ουδεις δυναται δυσιν κυριοις δουλευειν η γαρ τον ενα μισησει και τον ετερον αγαπησει η ενος ανθεξεται και του ετερου καταφρονησει ου δυνασθε θεω δουλευειν και μαμωνα [gnt]

The historical usage of "mammon" in Hebrew is that of a confidence in one's own ability to do things (independent of God). The modern Hebrew definition is that of "wealth".
There appear to be some logical issues in the translation of what Jesus said. Let us investigate.

More: Matthew 6: a wealth of logical ideas on mammon

Exodus 20:17 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's. [kjv]

… תחמד … תחמד … [he]

ουκ επιθυμησεις την γυναικα του πλησιον σου ουκ επιθυμησεις την οικιαν του πλησιον σου ουτε τον αγρον αυτου ουτε τον παιδα αυτου ουτε την παιδισκην αυτου ουτε του βοος αυτου ουτε του υποζυγιου αυτου ουτε παντος κτηνους αυτου ουτε οσα τω πλησιον σου εστιν [lxx]

… concupisces … desiderabis … [v]

There are various Greek words for coveting (wanting) something that someone else has, going back to the Ten Commandments.

*H2530 חָמַד (khaw-mad') : a primitive root; to delight in:--beauty, greatly beloved, covet, delectable thing, (X great) delight, desire, goodly, lust, (be) pleasant (thing), precious (thing).

"תחמד" (tach-mod) ≈ "covet".

Exodus 20:17 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's. [kjv]

… תחמד … תחמד … [he]

ουκ επιθυμησεις την γυναικα του πλησιον σου ουκ επιθυμησεις την οικιαν του πλησιον σου ουτε τον αγρον αυτου ουτε τον παιδα αυτου ουτε την παιδισκην αυτου ουτε του βοος αυτου ουτε του υποζυγιου αυτου ουτε παντος κτηνους αυτου ουτε οσα τω πλησιον σου εστιν [lxx]

… concupisces … desiderabis … [v]

The ancient Greek word "επιθυμία" ≈ "desire, wish" and comes from two words.

The ancient Greek prefix "επι" ≈ "on".
The ancient Greek word "θυμός" ≈ "passion".

Note that the Hebrew word in the OT (Old Testament) and the Greek word in the LXX (Septuagint) are the same but many other translations use two different words.

Exodus 20:17

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KJV: Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's.

Hebrew: לא תחמד בית רעך לא תחמד אשת רעך ועבדו ואמתו ושורו וחמרו וכל אשר לרעך׃

Greek: ουκ επιθυμησεις την γυναικα του πλησιον σου ουκ επιθυμησεις την οικιαν του πλησιον σου ουτε τον αγρον αυτου ουτε τον παιδα αυτου ουτε την παιδισκην αυτου ουτε του βοος αυτου ουτε του υποζυγιου αυτου ουτε παντος κτηνους αυτου ουτε οσα τω πλησιον σου εστιν

Latin: non concupisces domum proximi tui nec desiderabis uxorem eius non servum non ancillam non bovem non asinum nec omnia quae illius sunt

Wycliffe: Thou schalt not coueyte`the hous of thi neiybore, nether thou schalt desyre his wijf, not seruaunt, not handmaide, not oxe, not asse, nether alle thingis that ben hise.

Luther: Laß dich nicht gelüsten deines Nächsten Hauses. Laß dich nicht gelüsten deines Nächsten Weibes, noch seines Knechts, noch seiner Magd, noch seines Ochsen, noch seines Esels, noch alles, das dein Nächster hat.

Spanish: No codiciarás la casa de tu prójimo, no codiciarás la esposa de tu prójimo, ni su siervo, ni su criada, ni su buey, ni su asno, ni cosa alguna de tu prójimo.

Matthew 5:28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. [kjv]

εγω δε λεγω υμιν οτι πας ο βλεπων γυναικα προς το επιθυμησαι αυτην ηδη εμοιχευσεν αυτην εν τη καρδια αυτου [gnt]

… concupiscendum … [v]

The Greek word can mean just "desire" as in "passion" but without what is thought of as "lust".

Matthew 5:28

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KJV: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

Greek: εγω δε λεγω υμιν οτι πας ο βλεπων γυναικα προς το επιθυμησαιαυτης αυτην ηδη εμοιχευσεν αυτην εν τη καρδια αυτου

Latin: ego autem dico vobis quoniam omnis qui viderit mulierem ad concupiscendum eam iam moechatus est eam in corde suo

Wycliffe: But Y seie to you, that euery man that seeth a womman for to coueite hir, hath now do letcherie bi hir in his herte.

Tyndale: But I say vnto you that whosoeuer looketh on a wyfe lustynge after her hathe comitted advoutrie with hir alredy in his hert.

Luke 17:22 And he said unto the disciples, The days will come, when ye shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and ye shall not see it. [kjv]

ειπεν δε προς τους μαθητας ελευσονται ημεραι οτε επιθυμησετε μιαν των ημερων του υιου του ανθρωπου ιδειν και ουκ οψεσθε [gnt]

… desideretis … [v]

Luke 17:22

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KJV: And he said unto the disciples, The days will come, when ye shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and ye shall not see it.

Greek: ειπεν δε προς τους μαθητας ελευσονται ημεραι οτε επιθυμησετε μιαν των ημερων του υιου του ανθρωπου ιδειν και ουκ οψεσθε

Latin: et ait ad discipulos venient dies quando desideretis videre unum diem Filii hominis et non videbitis

Wycliffe: And he seide to hise disciplis, Daies schulen come, whanne ye schulen desire to se o dai of mannus sone, and ye schulen not se.

Tyndale: And he sayde vnto the disciples: The dayes will come when ye shall desyre to se one daye of the sonne of man and ye shall not se it.

Romans 7:7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. [kjv]

τι ουν ερουμεν ο νομος αμαρτια μη γενοιτο αλλα την αμαρτιαν ουκ εγνων ει μη δια νομου την τε γαρ επιθυμιαν ουκ ηδειν ει μη ο νομος ελεγεν ουκ επιθυμησεις [gnt]

… concupiscentiam … concupisces [v]

In Romans 7:7, the same Greek word is translated as both "lust" and then "covet" in the KJV.

Romans 7:7

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KJV: What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.

Greek: τι ουν ερουμεν ο νομος αμαρτια μη γενοιτο αλλα την αμαρτιαν ουκ εγνων ει μη δια νομου την τε γαρ επιθυμιαν ουκ ηδειν ει μη ο νομος ελεγεν ουκ επιθυμησεις

Latin: quid ergo dicemus lex peccatum est absit sed peccatum non cognovi nisi per legem nam concupiscentiam nesciebam nisi lex diceret non concupisces

Wycliffe: What therfor schulen we seie? The lawe is synne? God forbede. But Y knew not synne, but bi lawe; for Y wiste not that coueitynge was synne, but for the lawe seide, Thou schalt not coueyte.

Tyndale: What shall we saye then? is ye lawe synne? God forbid: but I knewe not what synne meant but by the lawe. For I had not knowne what lust had meant excepte the lawe had sayde thou shalt not lust.

Spanish: ¿Qué diremos entonces? ¿Es pecado la ley? ¡En ninguna manera! Al contrario, yo no hubiera conocido el pecado a no ser por la ley: Porque no conociera la codicia si la ley no dijera: No codiciarás.

1 Corinthians 10:6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. [kjv]

ταυτα δε τυποι ημων εγενηθησαν εις το μη ειναι ημας επιθυμητας κακων καθως κακεινοι επεθυμησαν [gnt]

… concupiscentes … concupierunt [v]

1 Corinthians 10:6

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KJV: Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.

Greek: ταυτα δε τυποι ημων εγενηθησαν εις το μη ειναι ημας επιθυμητας κακων καθως κακεινοι επεθυμησαν

Latin: haec autem in figura facta sunt nostri ut non simus concupiscentes malorum sicut et illi concupierunt

Wycliffe: But these thingis ben don in figure of vs, that we be not coueyteris of yuele thingis, as thei coueitiden.

Tyndale: These are ensamples to vs that we shuld not lust after evyll thinges as they lusted

Spanish: Pero estas cosas fueron ejemplo para nosotros, a fin de que no codiciemos cosas malas, como ellos codiciaron.

*G1937 *16 ἐπιθυμέω (ep-ee-thoo-meh'-o) : from G1909 and G2372; to set the heart upon, i.e. long for (rightfully or otherwise):--covet, desire, would fain, lust (after).

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επεθυμησαν *2

Matthew 13:17 ... prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, ...
1 Corinthians 10:6 ... evil things, as they also lusted.

επεθυμησα *2

Luke 22:15 ... unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover ...
Acts 20:33 I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel.

επιθυμησεις *2

Romans 7:7 ... the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.
Romans 13:9 ... not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if ...

επιθυμει *2

Galatians 5:17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and ...
1 Timothy 3:1 ... a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.

επιθυμησαι

Matthew 5:28 ... looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her ...

επεθυμει

Luke 15:16 And he would fain have filled his belly with ...

επιθυμων

Luke 16:21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which ...

επιθυμησετε

Luke 17:22 ... The days will come, when ye shall desire to see one of the days ...

επιθυμουμεν

Hebrews 6:11 And we desire that every one of you do shew the ...

επιθυμειτε

James 4:2 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and ...

επιθυμουσιν

1 Peter 1:12 ... heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.

επιθυμησουσιν

Revelation 9:6 ... find it; and shall desire to die, and death ...

*G1937 *16 ἐπιθυμέω (ep-ee-thoo-meh'-o) : from G1909 and G2372; to set the heart upon, i.e. long for (rightfully or otherwise):--covet, desire, would fain, lust (after).

Words: επεθυμει επεθυμησα=2 επεθυμησαν=2 επιθυμει=2 επιθυμειτε επιθυμησαι επιθυμησεις=2 επιθυμησετε επιθυμησουσιν επιθυμουμεν επιθυμουσιν επιθυμων