Proverbs 15:25

15:25 The Lord tears down the house of the proud, ¹ 

but he maintains the boundaries of the widow. ² 

Proverbs 22:28

22:28 Do not move an ancient boundary stone ³ 

which was put in place by your ancestors. ⁴ 

Proverbs 23:10

23:10 Do not move an ancient boundary stone,

or take over ⁵  the fields of the fatherless,

[15:25]  ¹ sn The “proud” have to be understood here in contrast to the widow, and their “house” has to be interpreted in contrast to the widow’s territory. The implication may be that the “proud” make their gain from the needy, and so God will set the balance right.

[15:25]  ² sn The Lord administers justice in his time. The Lord champions the widow, the orphan, the poor, and the needy. These people were often the prey of the proud, who would take and devour their houses and lands (e.g., 1 Kgs 21; Prov 16:19; Isa 5:8-10).

[22:28]  ³ 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]  ⁴ tn Heb “your fathers” (so NAB, NASB).

[23:10]  ⁵ tn Or “encroach on” (NIV, NRSV); Heb “go into.”