Desiring Desire

(Proverbs 21:26 KJV)  He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not.

If you compare translations you will find the the KJV seems to be much stronger than the NASB.  To get a clue, look at the marginal reading of the NASB.  It says that its word “craving” (183) literally means “desires desire” which gets us closer to the KJV saying “coveteth greedily.”  There are actually two words in the Hebrew but they are the same root so “desires desire” is a good approximation.  This is not the word that is used in the Ten Commandments when we are told to not covet, but by doubling it up it carries that idea.   

The problem here is not what we would normally consider “craving” (183).   I have a picture here of someone who is so “craving” (183) a personal satisfaction that he cannot listen or be productive.  He is totally into himself.  This is referring to the sluggard of the previous verse.

So?  We can desire some things too much.  This is not the desire for a candy bar in the middle of the day.  This is the willingness to set aside time with our children to watch a football game.  Measure you foot and see if the shoe fits.