Schaff's Bible Dictionary
COVET, Ex 20:17, COV'ETOUSNESS. Ex 18:21. To covet is to desire strongly. 1 Cor 12:31. When such a desire is felt for that which we cannot lawfully possess, it is sinful and becomes covetousness, which is idolatry, Col 3:5, for it is placing the heart and affections on the creature rather than on the Creator. Covetousness has relation commonly to riches, and, in the scriptural sense, includes the desire of accumulating, whatever may be the means. Prov 28:16; Eccl 5:10; Luke 12:15-34; 1 Tim 6:9-10.