The Best 50+ Bible Verses About Jealousy

Jealousy is a feeling we all experience at some point. It can be tough to handle and even tougher to overcome.

This article offers 50 Bible verses that address jealousy. These verses provide wisdom and guidance to help you navigate this complex emotion.

50 Bible Verses About Jealousy

10 Bible Verses on Overcoming Jealousy

• "A sound heart is life to the body, but envy is rottenness to the bones." — Proverbs 14:30
• "But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there." — James 3:14-16
• "Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God." — Galatians 5:19-21
• "For you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?" — 1 Corinthians 3:3
• "Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking," — 1 Peter 2:1
• "Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy." — Romans 13:13
• "Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself." — Philippians 2:3
• "Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;" — 1 Corinthians 13:4
• "You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures." — James 4:2-3
• "Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry." — Colossians 3:5

10 Bible Verses on Jealousy in Relationships

• "Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm; for love is as strong as death, jealousy as cruel as the grave; its flames are flames of fire, a most vehement flame." — Song of Solomon 8:6
• "For jealousy is a husband's fury; therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance." — Proverbs 6:34
• "Now when Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister, and said to Jacob, 'Give me children, or else I die!'" — Genesis 30:1
• "Then Saul was very angry, and the saying displeased him; and he said, 'They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed only thousands. Now what more can he have but the kingdom?' So Saul eyed David from that day forward." — 1 Samuel 18:8-9
• "And his brothers envied him, but his father kept the matter in mind." — Genesis 37:11
• "If the spirit of jealousy comes upon him and he becomes jealous of his wife, who has defiled herself; or if the spirit of jealousy comes upon him and he becomes jealous of his wife, although she has not defiled herself." — Numbers 5:14
• "Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than He?" — 1 Corinthians 10:22
• "Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, 'The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously'?" — James 4:5
• "Wrath is cruel and anger a torrent, but who is able to stand before jealousy?" — Proverbs 27:4
• "Again, I saw that for all toil and every skillful work a man is envied by his neighbor. This also is vanity and grasping for the wind." — Ecclesiastes 4:4

10 Bible Verses on God's Jealous Nature

• "For you shall worship no other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God." — Exodus 34:14
• "For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God." — Deuteronomy 4:24
• "God is jealous, and the Lord avenges; the Lord avenges and is furious. The Lord will take vengeance on His adversaries, and He reserves wrath for His enemies." — Nahum 1:2
• "But Joshua said to the people, 'You cannot serve the Lord, for He is a holy God. He is a jealous God; He will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins.'" — Joshua 24:19
• "Thus says the Lord of hosts: 'I am zealous for Zion with great zeal; with great fervor I am zealous for her.'" — Zechariah 8:2
• "You shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me." — Exodus 20:5
• "(For the Lord your God is a jealous God among you) lest the anger of the Lord your God be aroused against you and destroy you from the face of the earth." — Deuteronomy 6:15
• "For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ." — 2 Corinthians 11:2
• "I am the Lord, that is My name; and My glory I will not give to another, nor My praise to carved images." — Isaiah 42:8
• "Therefore thus says the Lord God: 'Now I will bring back the captives of Jacob, and have mercy on the whole house of Israel; and I will be jealous for My holy name.'" — Ezekiel 39:25

10 Bible Verses on Consequences of Envy

• "Wrath is cruel and anger a torrent, but who is able to stand before jealousy?" — Proverbs 27:4
• "For wrath kills a foolish man, and envy slays a simple one." — Job 5:2
• "Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another." — Galatians 5:26
• "For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there." — James 3:16
• "Do not let your heart envy sinners, but be zealous for the fear of the Lord all the day." — Proverbs 23:17
• "Being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers." — Romans 1:29
• "He is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions." — 1 Timothy 6:4
• "For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another." — Titus 3:3
• "Also their love, their hatred, and their envy have now perished; nevermore will they have a share in anything done under the sun." — Ecclesiastes 9:6
• "For I was envious of the boastful, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked." — Psalm 73:3

10 Bible Verses on Jealousy and Contentment

• "Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need." — Philippians 4:11-12
• "Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.'" — Hebrews 13:5
• "Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content." — 1 Timothy 6:6-8
• "Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." — Matthew 6:25-34
• "And He said to them, 'Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.'" — Luke 12:15
• "Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong." — 2 Corinthians 12:10
• "A little that a righteous man has is better than the riches of many wicked." — Psalm 37:16
• "Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, than great treasure with trouble." — Proverbs 15:16
• "In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." — 1 Thessalonians 5:18
• "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." — Psalm 23:1

What Does the Bible Say About Jealousy

Jealousy is a common emotion that can be challenging to manage. The Bible offers many insights on this topic, providing guidance and wisdom to help us navigate our feelings. By reflecting on these teachings, we can find ways to overcome jealousy and lead more content lives.

One key theme is the destructive nature of jealousy. Verses like Proverbs 14:30 and James 3:16 highlight how envy can lead to confusion and evil actions. Recognizing the harm jealousy can cause is the first step in addressing it in our lives.

Another important theme is the impact of jealousy on relationships. The Bible shows how envy can strain and even destroy relationships, as seen in stories like that of Rachel and Leah in Genesis 30:1. Understanding this can help us strive for healthier, more loving connections with others.

The Bible also speaks about God's jealousy, which is different from human envy. Verses like Exodus 34:14 remind us that God's jealousy is rooted in His desire for our devotion and love. This can inspire us to focus on our relationship with Him, rather than on worldly desires.

Finally, the Bible encourages contentment as a remedy for jealousy. Verses like Philippians 4:11-12 teach us to be satisfied with what we have. By cultivating contentment, we can reduce feelings of envy and find peace in our lives.

How to Apply These Bible Verses About Jealousy

Applying the Bible's teachings on jealousy to daily life can bring about real change. These verses offer practical wisdom that can help us lead more peaceful and content lives.

• Start your day with a prayer asking God to help you overcome jealousy and to fill your heart with contentment.
• Practice gratitude by writing down three things you are thankful for each day. This can shift your focus from what you lack to what you have.
• When you feel jealous, take a moment to reflect on the Bible verses you've read. Remind yourself of the harm jealousy can cause and the peace that comes with contentment.
• Engage in community activities or volunteer work. Helping others can reduce feelings of envy and increase your sense of fulfillment.
• Talk to a trusted friend or mentor about your struggles with jealousy. Sometimes, sharing your feelings can provide new perspectives and support.

Remember, God is always with you, guiding you through your journey. With faith and effort, you can overcome jealousy and find peace. For more prayers and Bible verses, visit PrayersFor or try our Bible Verse Generator to deepen your understanding and faith.