The word in Scripture
Envy in the Bible
The word envy appears 20 times in the King James Version of the Bible. Envy is grief at another's good, a work of the flesh. And like every true word of Scripture, it finds its fullness in Jesus Christ.
What envy means in the Bible
Envy is grief at another's good, a work of the flesh.
Where the word envy appears
Here are 8 of the passages where the word envy appears, chosen from across the Scriptures, in the words of the King James Bible:
“A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.”Proverbs 14:30
“Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the LORD all the day long.”Proverbs 23:17
“The envy also of Ephraim shall depart, and the adversaries of Judah shall be cut off: Ephraim shall not envy Judah, and Judah shall not vex Ephraim.”Isaiah 11:13
“For he knew that for envy they had delivered him.”Matthew 27:18
“For he knew that the chief priests had delivered him for envy.”Mark 15:10
“Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,”Romans 1:29
“Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:”Philippians 1:15
“Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?”James 4:5
Envy and the Lord Jesus
Charity envieth not; where envy is, there is confusion, but Christ gives a contented heart.
Questions people ask
How many times does the word envy appear in the Bible?
The word envy appears 20 times in the King James Version of the Bible. That number counts the exact word, in its King James spelling, wherever it occurs.
What does envy mean in the Bible?
Envy is grief at another's good, a work of the flesh.
How does envy point to Jesus?
Charity envieth not; where envy is, there is confusion, but Christ gives a contented heart.