Deuteronomy 19:14

Laws Concerning Witnesses

19:14 You must not encroach on your neighbor’s property, ¹  which will have been defined ²  in the inheritance you will obtain in the land the Lord your God is giving you. ³ 

Proverbs 22:28

22:28 Do not move an ancient boundary stone ⁴ 

which was put in place by your ancestors. ⁵ 

Proverbs 23:10-11

23:10 Do not move an ancient boundary stone,

or take over ⁶  the fields of the fatherless,

23:11 for their Protector ⁷  is strong;

he will plead their case against you. ⁸ 

[19:14]  ¹ tn Heb “border.” Cf. NRSV “You must not move your neighbor’s boundary marker.”

[19:14]  ² tn Heb “which they set off from the beginning.”

[19:14]  ³ tn The Hebrew text includes “to possess it.” This phrase has been left untranslated to avoid redundancy.

[22:28]  ⁴ sn Moving a boundary stone was (and still is) a major problem. The boundaries that were established by the forefathers were to be preserved, but no law would stop such violations if people lacked integrity (e.g., Deut 19:14; 27:17; 1 Kgs 21:16-19). Boundaries in Israel were sacred because God owned the land and he apportioned the property to the tribes. To extend one’s property illegally by moving a neighbor’s boundary marker was a violation of covenant and oath. Of course, disputes could arise when both sides claim their ancestors established a boundary.

[22:28]  ⁵ tn Heb “your fathers” (so NAB, NASB).

[23:10]  ⁶ tn Or “encroach on” (NIV, NRSV); Heb “go into.”

[23:11]  ⁷ tn The participle גֹּאֵל (go’el) describes a “kinsman redeemer.” Some English versions explicitly cite “God” (e.g., NCV, CEV) or “the Lord” (e.g. TEV).

[23:11]  ⁸ sn This is the tenth saying; once again there is a warning not to encroach on other people’s rights and property, especially the defenseless (see v. 10; 22:22-23, 28).