Proverbs 10:25

10:25 When the storm ¹  passes through, the wicked are swept away, ² 

but the righteous are an everlasting foundation. 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

23:10 Do not move an ancient boundary stone,

or take over ⁶  the fields of the fatherless,

[10:25]  ¹ sn The word for “storm wind” comes from the root סוּף (suf, “to come to an end; to cease”). The noun may then describe the kind of storm that makes an end of things, a “whirlwind” (so KJV, NASB; NLT “cyclone”). It is used in prophetic passages that describe swift judgment and destruction.

[10:25]  ² tn Heb “the wicked are not”; ASV, NAB, NASB “is no more.”

[10:25]  ³ tn Heb “a foundation forever”; NLT “have a lasting foundation.”

[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]  ⁷ tn Or “encroach on” (NIV, NRSV); Heb “go into.”