I have always like tales about the heroic outlaw, Robin Hood. No one is really sure if this English folklore is based on a real character or not. The name, Robin Hood, first appears in the late 1300s as “the rhymes of Robin Hood.” And the story and reputation has grown expansively ever since.
A number of actors with famous names have portrayed Robin Hood on screen: Douglas Fairbanks (1922), Errol Flynn (1938), Sean Connery (1976), Kevin Costner (1991), and Russell Crowe (2010). There are a vast quantity of books and series about Robin Hood that can be found in the local library. The common theme is “he robbed from the rich and gave to the poor.” Is there justification for Robin Hood’s actions? This should raise some ethical alarms in our minds. Or are there different degrees of stealing? Something to think about.
How does that square with the universal cultural norm against stealing? As the Book of Exodus declares from God, “You shall not ganab (steal).” Is stealing ever justified? The ancient Jewish book of Proverbs hints at it, “People do not despise a thief if he steals to satisfy his appetite when he is hungry.” Although in the next verse (Proverbs 6:31) it says, “but if he is caught, he will pay sevenfold; he will give all the goods of his house.” So, is it okay to steal, if you are in desperate need for yourself or to help others? Does it make a difference if you get caught or not?
The Hebrew word ganab is usually translated “to steal.” Stealing is to take something that does not belong to you in a wrong or illegal way or without asking permission. The Book of Genesis illustrates these nuances of ganab in the Jacob narratives. Jacob worked for Laban for over 14 years and then decided to leave. During those years Jacob acquired livestock and a large family. But Jacob knew Laban did not want him to leave, so he left without telling Laban. Genesis 31 records, “Laban had gone to shear his sheep, and Rachel stole (ganab) her father’s household gods. And Jacob tricked (ganab) Laban the Aramean, by not telling him that he intended to flee.” Here we see Jacob’s wife, Rachel, take something from her father in a wrong way. And Jacob steals away without asking permission, which should have required permission from the patriarch Laban and etiquette demanded a blessing when daughters and grandchildren are involved. It is as serious as Jacob stealing Laban’s family. When he found out what Jacob had done Laban was very perturbed with his son-in-law. “And Laban said to Jacob, “What have you done, that you have tricked (ganab) me and driven away my daughters like captives of the sword? Why did you flee secretly and trick (ganab) me, and did not tell me, so that I might have sent you away with mirth and songs, with tambourine and lyre?” (Genesis 31) Laban felt betrayed by Jacob because he stole from him, not just played a trick on him. Stealing is a serious offense.
As we have seen with all the ordinances of God in Exodus 20 there is a positive point to contemplate besides the obvious negative imperative. Stealing is not just about “taking” but also includes affirmative action to help improve and protect the possessions and income of others. Now that adds a profounder meaning to it.
As we reflect on this command it should move us to consider the actions we do to steal with justification in our own minds. Is it stealing for an employee to not give your best effort or sneak away from work early before your shift is done? Is it stealing to hide certain income on your tax return that should be acknowledged? Paul wrote to the Roman Christians, “You then who teach others, do you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal?”
Here are some words we use for “stealing”: pilfer, swipe, filch, appropriate, commandeer, purloin, heist, embezzle, hijack, plagiarize. Each of these has their own nuances in connection to stealing but all seem to break the commandment, Robin Hood notwithstanding. One positive action comes to mind when we might say that a young man stole the heart of a girl. Now that adds a different connotation to ganab.
Respect your neighbour’s possessions. Do unto others, as you would have them do unto you. Wise words to consider.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the position of this publication.
