30 Bible Verses about Jealousy (With Commentary)

Feeling jealous can weigh heavy on your heart. The Bible speaks volumes about this intense emotion, offering wisdom to navigate its choppy waters. Dive into scriptural advice that aims to soothe the soul and overcome the green-eyed monster within.

Ready for peace? Keep reading..

The Destructive Nature of Jealousy

Proverbs 14:30

"A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones."

A calm heart gives life to your body. But letting jealousy in is like bone rot—it hurts you deep inside. Proverbs 14:30 makes it clear, envy isn’t just a bad feeling, it’s harmful and can wreck your health.

Like cancer eating away at bones, jealousy eats up peace and happiness. It steals the joy that should be yours and leaves only pain behind. The Bible tells us this to help us stay away from the trap of being jealous and to encourage us to find peace instead.

James 3:14-16

"But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such 'wisdom' does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice."

James 3:14 tells us not to let bad feelings like jealousy and wanting what others have live in our hearts. If we do, it’s not good to brag or hide the truth. These feelings lead us away from what is right and cause trouble.

In verses 15 and 16, the Bible says wisdom doesn’t come from being jealous or selfish. Such behaviors don’t help us grow closer to God; instead they cause fights and all kinds of evil stuff.

So it’s clear – when our hearts hold onto bad stuff like envy, we’re moving far away from the peace God wants for us.

1 Corinthians 3:3

"You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans?"

In 1 Corinthians 3:3, we learn about a big problem. It talks about people who follow Jesus but still fight and get jealous. This shows they have a lot to learn about living God’s way.

The Bible says that being jealous is like boiling water inside us – it can cause trouble and keep us from growing in our faith.

Believers should not let jealousy split them apart. Instead, they must work together to be better followers of Christ. We are told in this verse that fights and envy are not what God wants for us.

He desires unity and peace among His people, guiding us all toward spiritual maturity.

Galatians 5:19-21

"The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God."

Galatians 5:19-21 tells us about things that are not good for us, such as being jealous, getting very angry, wanting what others have, causing fights, and feeling envy. These actions are called “works of the flesh.” They keep us away from living a kind and loving life.

If we do these bad things too much, it can stop us from joining God’s kingdom. We must try hard to let go of jealousy and envy. Instead, we should grow in our faith and show love to others.

This helps everyone live better together.

Job 5:2

"Surely resentment destroys the fool, and jealousy kills the simple."

Job 5:2 warns us about the dangers of letting jealousy and resentment take over. It tells us that getting mad can be foolish, and being jealous can hurt good people. This shows that these feelings can mess up our hearts and relationships.

The Bible puts it clear: such emotions are big troubles waiting to happen.

This verse is part of a bigger talk on how bad envy is for us. It points out we must work hard to keep our hearts calm and full of love, not hate or jealousy. By doing this, we live better with others and grow stronger in spirit too.

Overcoming Jealousy

1 Corinthians 13:4

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud."

Love takes its time and is kind. It does not get jealous or talk itself up. Love doesn’t think it’s better than others, nor does it put them down. Right there in 1 Corinthians 13:4, the Bible shares a secret—love is not envious at all! This truth shines brightly as we fight off jealousy with love.

You find this wisdom right in the middle of what many call “the love chapter” of the Bible. Love stands strong against envy and pride because it cares more for others than for itself.

It’s like a superpower against those sneaky feelings that want us to look at someone else and wish we had what they have. Instead, love cheers on others and helps us feel happy for their good stuff!

Galatians 5:26

"Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other."

Galatians 5:26 tells us not to let our own pride make us cause trouble or be jealous of others. This advice is right in the middle of a list that includes some bad things like fighting, being angry for no good reason, wanting only what we want, arguing, dividing into groups and wanting what others have.

Acting this way can break friendships and hurt people’s feelings. We’re better off when we help each other and are kind to one another instead of letting jealousy take over.

Philippians 2:3

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves."

Philippians 2:3 tells us to be humble and think of others as better than ourselves. It says not to act out of selfish ambition or vanity. Instead, we should care for each other with a humble heart.

This verse helps us fight jealousy by reminding us to put away pride and serve others in love.

Humility is key here—it’s the opposite of trying to climb over others to get ahead. And when we value people more, it’s harder for jealousy to take root in our hearts. So, Philippians 2:3 nudges us towards unity and peace, steering clear of envy that can hurt and divide.

Titus 3:3-5

"At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy."

Before, people didn’t listen and were foolish. They did bad things out of jealousy and hate. But everything changed because of God’s kindness and love. He saved us, not because we did anything good, but because of His mercy.

God washed our hearts clean and gave us a new life through the Holy Spirit. This gift was freely given to us by Jesus Christ our Savior. Now we can hope for eternal life.

God poured out the Holy Spirit on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, making sure we could be right with Him again and inherit what lasts forever—true life!

Ephesians 4:31-32

"Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."

Ephesians 4:31-32 tells us to get rid of all bitterness, anger, and bad feelings. Be kind and caring instead. Forgive others just as God forgave you through Jesus. It’s like cleaning out your closet – tossing the old grudges and choosing clothes that fit better, like kindness and compassion.

This way, we make space for positive thoughts and actions in our lives, building a happier self and healthier relationships.

Jealousy in Relationships

Song of Solomon 8:6

"Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame."

Song of Solomon 8:6 shows how strong love and jealousy can be. It says that love is as mighty as death and jealousy is as tough as the grave. Just like you can’t stop death, real love doesn’t give up either.

This verse also tells us that God’s love for His people is deep and fiery. He wants our full heart, just like in a marriage where two people are really serious about each other. Love puts a mark on us – it sticks with us forever, just like this verse does when we think about devotion and feelings in our hearts.

Proverbs 27:4

"Anger is cruel and fury overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy?"

Jealousy is scary – even worse than anger or wrath. That’s what Proverbs 27:4 shows us. It’s like a big, raging storm no one can stand against. It eats away inside and sticks around, turning into bitterness that won’t go away easy.

This wise saying from the Bible teaches us how important it is to keep jealousy out of our lives. The verse sees jealousy as very strong and warns us about letting it take over. We should ask for God’s help to fight this feeling so we don’t get trapped by its power.

1 Samuel 18:8-9

"Saul was very angry; this refrain displeased him greatly. 'They have credited David with tens of thousands,' he thought, 'but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom?' And from that time on Saul kept a close eye on David."

Saul’s heart turned cold when he heard people praise David more than him. He burned with jealousy because of this. This envy led Saul to see David as a rival, not the brave young man who had fought for Israel.

The king’s once peaceful rule began to crack as envy took over.

David played his harp, unaware of the danger from Saul’s growing anger. But soon, Saul threw a spear at him, trying to pin David to the wall—not just once, but twice! Such dangerous acts showed how destructive jealousy can be, shaking trust and bringing harm where there was once friendship.

Genesis 37:4

"When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him."

Genesis 37:4 shows us how jealousy can tear families apart. Joseph’s brothers couldn’t say a kind word to him because their father loved him the most. This favoritism made them hate Joseph so much that they even plotted against him.

Their envy grew, and it pushed them to do something terrible—they sold Joseph into slavery. Imagine, their own brother! All because they let jealousy control them instead of showing love and kindness.

Numbers 5:14

"If a spirit of jealousy comes over him and he is jealous of his wife who has defiled herself, or if he is jealous and suspects her even though she has not defiled herself,"

In Numbers 5:14, the Bible talks about a man who thinks his wife may have been unfaithful. This jealousy in his heart leads to suspicion—even if she hasn’t done anything wrong. The verse describes how this feeling of jealousy can appear suddenly and create doubt about his wife’s loyalty.

The situation here involves a special ceremony to find out the truth about the woman’s actions. It shows us that even long ago, people struggled with feelings of jealousy and didn’t always know how to deal with them fairly.

Warnings Against Jealousy

Romans 13:13

"Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy."

Romans 13:13 tells us to walk straight, not in wild parties, getting drunk, or sleeping around. Nor should we start fights and get jealous. This verse says acting right is super important, especially during the day.

It shows that jealousy is from this world and we’re told to steer clear of it. The Bible guides us here on how to shake off envy and bad feelings toward others. It’s like a map for ditching the wrong path and sticking to what’s good and true.

1 Peter 2:1

"Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind."

Get rid of all the bad stuff in your heart. That’s what 1 Peter 2:1 tells us to do. It says to throw away mean thoughts, lies, pretending, wanting what others have, and talking badly about people.

Instead, we should crave pure spiritual milk like babies want milk. This helps us grow up in our salvation.

We learn from this verse that being envious is not good for us or for loving others. It stops us from growing closer to God. The Bible wants us to be kind and honest with one another because that’s how we become better followers of Jesus and live peacefully together.

Proverbs 6:34

"For jealousy arouses a husband's fury, and he will show no mercy when he takes revenge."

Proverbs 6:34 shows us how jealousy can make a person act in bad ways. It tells us that when someone feels very jealous, they may forget about being kind or fair. They might do mean things to get even because their feelings are so strong.

This verse helps us see that jealousy is not just an emotion—it can push people to harm others and cause real trouble.

James 4:2

"You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God."

James 4:2 warns us about wanting what we can’t have. It tells a hard truth—that sometimes, this want turns into fights and even worse. The Bible really points out how bad jealousy is for us.

It eats away at peace and can make folks do mean things. This verse pushes us to look inside ourselves and find a better way through God’s Spirit. We need patience, trust in God, and His kind of love—not the harmful hunger for what isn’t ours.

Acts 7:9

"Because the patriarchs were jealous of Joseph, they sold him as a slave into Egypt. But God was with him"

Acts 7:9 tells a tough story. Joseph’s own brothers got jealous and sold him as a slave to Egypt. But even in that bad place, God stuck with him and turned things around.

This part of the Bible shows us how harmful jealousy can be. It tore Joseph’s family apart. Yet, it also proves that God’s plans are bigger than our mistakes – He saved Joseph from all his problems.

God’s View of Jealousy

Exodus 20:5

"You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me,"

Exodus 20:5 tells us God is a jealous God. He won’t put up with people making idols or worshiping other things. This isn’t about Him needing something from us—it’s about keeping us away from idolatry.

His jealousy comes from a place of love and wanting the best for us, not because He lacks anything.

He sets clear rules for our own good—in this case, to steer clear of false gods that lead us astray. It shows His deep care for our loyalty and faithfulness above all else.

Exodus 34:14

"Do not worship any other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God."

In Exodus 34:14, God tells His people He is a “jealous” God. He doesn’t want them to worship anything else because His name is Jealous. This means God loves us so much that He wants all our love and worship just for Him.

God being jealous is different from people being jealous. When we’re jealous, it can be bad or hurtful. But when God is jealous, it’s about keeping us safe from things that aren’t good for us.

He knows worshipping other things instead of Him won’t make us happy.

Deuteronomy 4:24

"For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God."

Deuteronomy 4:24 tells us God is a jealous one. He’s like a fire that consumes all. This isn’t about him being envious; it’s about how special and holy he is. No other gods can stand against his glory.

His jealousy shows we must honor him alone. Everything else comes second to this powerful truth in the Bible. God’s unique jealousy defends his name and keeps our worship pure, just for him.

Deuteronomy 32:16

"They made him jealous with their foreign gods and angered him with their detestable idols."

Deuteronomy 32:16 tells us the Israelites made God jealous. They turned their backs on Him and chose strange gods—idols that were not alive. Imagine being in a special promise with someone, like marriage, and they choose someone else over you; that’s how God felt.

The Israelites put other things first and forgot about the One who loved them most.

God’s jealousy isn’t about anger or hate. It’s because He loves His people so much and wants what’s best for us. When we ignore God for other things, it hurts Him deeply—like when friends choose stuff over each other.

This verse shows why our choices matter to God; He cares for us, just as we care about those we love.

Joshua 24:19

"Joshua said to the people, 'You are not able to serve the Lord. He is a holy God; he is a jealous God. He will not forgive your rebellion and your sins.'"

Joshua 24:19 shows us that God feels strongly about his honor. He loves us, but he is holy and does not take sin lightly. This verse tells us how serious God is about keeping his glory and being the only one we worship.

His jealousy comes from wanting all our love, because he gave everything for us. It’s like a strong warning to always put God first and live right by him.

Jealousy in Scripture Narratives

Genesis 4:5-8

"But on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast. Then the Lord said to Cain, 'Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.' Now Cain said to his brother Abel, 'Let’s go out to the field.' While they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him."

Cain felt a strong jealousy toward his brother Abel. This bad feeling grew deep inside him. Sadly, Cain let that jealousy turn into anger. He did not stop himself. So, he did something very awful – he killed his own brother.

The story tells us how dangerous being jealous can be. It shows us what can happen when we don’t control our feelings. Cain’s choice changed his life forever and hurt many people. This teaches us to watch out for envy in our hearts so we don’t make the same mistake.

Genesis 30:1

"When Rachel saw that she was not bearing Jacob any children, she became jealous of her sister. So she said to Jacob, 'Give me children, or I’ll die!'"

Rachel saw that she wasn’t having any children for Jacob. She became very jealous of her sister Leah. Her jealousy was so strong, she told Jacob, “Give me children, or I’ll die!” This story shows us how dangerous it can be to want what others have.

In Rachel’s case, her desire for kids turned into a fight with her husband and sadness in her heart. The Bible uses this story to teach us about the pain jealousy can bring into our lives.

1 Kings 3:16-27

"Now two prostitutes came to the king and stood before him. One of them said, 'My lord, this woman and I live in the same house. I had a baby while she was there with me. The third day after my child was born, this woman also had a baby. We were alone; there was no one in the house but the two of us. During the night this woman’s son died because she lay on him. So she got up in the middle of the night and took my son from my side while your servant was asleep. She put him by her breast and put her dead son by my breast. The next morning, I got up to nurse my son—and he was dead! But when I looked at him closely in the morning light, I saw that it wasn’t the son I had borne.' The other woman said, 'No! The living one is my son; the dead one is yours.' But the first one insisted, 'No! The dead one is yours; the living one is mine.' And so they argued before the king. The king said, 'This one says, ‘My son is alive and your son is dead,’ while that one says, ‘No! Your son is dead and mine is alive.’' Then the king said, 'Bring me a sword.' So they brought a sword for the king. He then gave an order: 'Cut the living child in two and give half to one and half to the other.' The woman whose son was alive was deeply moved out of love for her son and said to the king, 'Please, my lord, give her the living baby! Don’t kill him!' But the other said, 'Neither I nor you shall have him. Cut him in two!' Then the king gave his ruling: 'Give the living baby to the first woman. Do not kill him; she is his mother.'"

Two women came to King Solomon, both claiming to be the mother of the same baby. This story shows Solomon’s smart way of finding out who the real mother was. He said he would cut the baby in half so each woman could have a part.

The true mom showed she loved her child more than herself because she asked for her baby’s life to be saved, even if it meant giving him up.

King Solomon knew then who the baby should go with—the one who wanted her child safe over being right. His choice teaches us about true love and how jealousy can twist what we want most.

In this case, wisdom won against jealousy, revealing care and selflessness at its best.

Acts 13:45

"When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and talked abusively against what Paul was saying."

In Acts 13:45, jealousy takes a dark turn. The Jews couldn’t stand seeing crowds gather to hear Paul and Barnabas. Their envy was so strong that they began to trash-talk what Paul was teaching.

They let their jealousy speak louder than love or truth.

This Bible part shows how jealousy can twist our hearts. It’s not just wanting what others have; it can push us to hurt those who are doing well—just like the synagogue leaders did to Paul and Barnabas because of the attention they got.

This story is a warning about letting negative feelings control us.

Matthew 27:18

"For he knew it was out of envy that they had handed Jesus over to him."

Jealousy can twist our hearts and lead us to do wrong. A clear example is in Matthew 27:18. The chief priests were so jealous of Jesus, they handed him over to be killed. They feared his growing followers and felt their power threatened.

Even as Jesus taught love and kindness, envy blinded the priests. They chose harm over good because of a jealous heart. This verse shows how dangerous jealousy can be—it can even turn people against the Son of God.

Conclusion

So, jealousy’s tricky, right? But the Bible offers a way out. By focusing on love and gratitude, we can beat those jealous vibes. Remember, God’s word is like a guidebook for tough emotions.

Keep reading those verses; they’re there to help you grow and find peace!

FAQs

1. What does the Bible say about jealousy?

The Bible talks a lot about jealousy! It says not to covet, or want what others have, because it can lead to bad things like greed and hatred. Verses like “You shall not covet” show us it’s important to be happy with what we have.

2. Are there any specific verses that help overcome jealousy?

Yes – The Bible offers wisdom on how to beat jealousy through verses that encourage us to focus on love, kindness, and other good fruit of the Spirit. Plus, remembering God’s promises helps too!

3. Can reading Bible verses improve self-worth and reduce envy?

Absolutely! Reading about how much God values each person can boost our self-esteem and remind us we don’t need to be jealous; for instance, “For God so loved the world…” shows everyone is special in His eyes.

4. Why should we avoid making jealousy a part of our lives?

Jealousy causes trouble—like fighting and thinking badly of others—which takes us away from living peacefully and enjoying the kingdom of heaven vibes here on Earth.

5. How do I find these teachings in the Bible?

Just peek into passages like James 3:14-15 or look up themes such as “fruit of the spirit,” “love your neighbor,” or even stories about people like Aaron who learned tough lessons about wanting what others have.

6. Is overcoming jealously mentioned as part of spiritual growth in the Bible?

Indeed! Overcoming evil feelings including jealousy is part of growing spiritually; learning from examples given by prophets, apostles like Paul—and Jesus’ own words—helps guide folks toward a peaceful mind free from envying others.