EXOD357 For jealousy is the rage of a man, and he will not spare in the day of vengeance. (Proverbs 6:34) Jealousy is defined as a state of apprehension of being displaced by a rival. All types of human relationships, religious, economic, and domestic, are susceptible to attacks of jealousy. The first commandment, "Thou shall have no other gods before me" [this verse], is reinforced with the declaration "for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God" as a warning that God is vigilant in the protection of monotheism from pagan encroachments. Top executives are jealous of underlings who scheme to replace them in their dominant positions. They react to such threats with sharpened alertness and undisguised hatred. Husbands and wives are jealous of rivals who attempt to steal the affection of a spouse. A threatened mate reacts with a heightened sense of suspicion and vindictiveness. Most people regard jealousy as a legitimate and justifiable reaction, if facts and circumstances warrant it. Unfortunately, jealousy is an explosive emotion which thrives on suspicion more often than on facts. This is particularly true of jealousy arising from romantic involvements. A biblical verse warns of its a dangerous intensity. "For love is strong as death, jealousy is cruel as the grave; the flash thereof are flashes of fire" (Song of Songs 8:6). Groundless jealousy is an emotional aberration which does not respond to logic or moral admonitions. An unreasonably jealous individual is not impressed by charges of unethical conduct. On the contrary, his conviction that he is motivated by moral dictates for the preservation of chastity is progressively hardened and insulated by a sense of self-righteousness. Psychologists attribute extreme jealousy to an inferiority complex. This diagnosis offers little hope for short-range relief.