a man named Ananias, along with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property. With his wife’s knowledge, he withheld some of the proceeds from the sale. (Acts 5:1-2a; Common English Bible)

The Greek verb translated in many translations as ‘keep back’ but in the above more simply ‘withhold’ is νοσφίζω nosphizó ‘to sequestrate for oneself’.  The more common usage of this Greek word ‘to embezzle, pilfer or purloin’ is more problematic in the context of this singular incident that beset the foundational Church with fear when first Ananias and then his wife, were struck dead by God as the result of this act.  After all, as the head quotation shows this was Ananias and Sapphira’s asset to theirs to dispose of as they pleased; they stole from no one.