Deuteronomy 19:14 kjv
Thou shalt not remove thy neighbor's landmark, which they of old time have set in thine inheritance, which thou shalt inherit in the land that the LORD thy God giveth thee to possess it.
Deuteronomy 19:14 nkjv
"You shall not remove your neighbor's landmark, which the men of old have set, in your inheritance which you will inherit in the land that the LORD your God is giving you to possess.
Deuteronomy 19:14 niv
Do not move your neighbor's boundary stone set up by your predecessors in the inheritance you receive in the land the LORD your God is giving you to possess.
Deuteronomy 19:14 esv
"You shall not move your neighbor's landmark, which the men of old have set, in the inheritance that you will hold in the land that the LORD your God is giving you to possess.
Deuteronomy 19:14 nlt
"When you arrive in the land the LORD your God is giving you as your special possession, you must never steal anyone's land by moving the boundary markers your ancestors set up to mark their property.
Deuteronomy 19 14 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Dt 27:17 | ‘Cursed be anyone who moves his neighbor’s landmark.’ | Directly repeats the prohibition and adds a curse for transgression. |
| Job 24:2 | “Some remove landmarks; they seize flocks and pasture them." | Describes the wicked who unjustly take land by moving markers. |
| Prov 22:28 | Do not move the ancient landmark that your fathers have set. | A wisdom teaching echoing the law's principle for social order. |
| Prov 23:10 | Do not move an ancient landmark or enter the fields of the fatherless. | Connects the injustice of moving landmarks with exploiting the vulnerable. |
| Ex 20:15 | “You shall not steal.” | Broader commandment violated by moving landmarks (stealing land). |
| Ex 20:17 | “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; ... field..." | Broader commandment underlying the desire to remove boundaries (covetousness). |
| Lev 19:13 | “You shall not oppress your neighbor or rob him." | General law against exploitation, encompassing property theft. |
| Lev 25:23 | “The land shall not be sold permanently, for the land is mine..." | Underscores God's ultimate ownership of the land, reinforcing proper stewardship. |
| Isa 5:8 | Woe to those who join house to house, who add field to field... | Prophetic condemnation of those who unlawfully accumulate land. |
| Mic 2:2 | They covet fields and seize them, and houses, and take them away; | Prophetic denouncement of coveting and unjustly seizing property. |
| Hos 5:10 | The princes of Judah have become like those who move a landmark; | Applies the concept metaphorically to corrupt leaders disregarding boundaries of justice. |
| Rom 13:9 | ...You shall not covet.” And any other commandment are summed up... | NT principle reflecting the prohibition against covetousness and theft. |
| Eph 4:28 | Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him toil, working... | Calls for righteous living, reflecting against forms of theft including land. |
| 1 Tim 6:10 | For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil... | Relates to the motive behind unlawfully taking property (greed). |
| Mark 12:40 | who devour widows’ houses and for a pretense make long prayers. | Jesus condemns those who unjustly take property from the vulnerable. |
| Num 34:1-12 | God delineates the specific boundaries of the land of Canaan for Israel. | Emphasizes the divine origin and importance of defined borders. |
| Josh 18:1-10 | Describes the division of land by lot among the remaining tribes. | Illustrates the practical implementation of fixed boundaries and inheritance. |
| Ruth 4:5-10 | Explains the importance of maintaining family inheritance and land rights. | Demonstrates the meticulousness regarding land tenure and ancestral lines. |
| Ps 16:6 | The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance. | Poetic expression acknowledging God-given inheritance within defined boundaries. |
| Ps 133:1 | How good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! | Directly links to the communal harmony fostered by respecting boundaries. |
Deuteronomy 19 verses
Deuteronomy 19 14 Meaning
Deuteronomy 19:14 prohibits the removal of a neighbor's boundary marker, specifically those set by the "forefathers" (previous generations) to define inherited tribal and family land in the land given by the LORD. It establishes a fundamental law for the integrity of property rights and the just administration of inherited portions within the community of Israel.
Deuteronomy 19 14 Context
Deuteronomy 19 focuses on establishing principles of justice and righteousness within the newly formed nation of Israel, particularly as they prepare to enter the promised land. The chapter addresses legal proceedings, cities of refuge for unintentional homicide, the requirement of multiple witnesses for testimony, and penalties for false witnesses. The prohibition against moving landmarks is strategically placed within this context of civil law, emphasizing the protection of individual property rights as essential for a stable and just society. Historically and culturally, land inheritance was paramount in ancient Israel, as each tribe and family received a portion of the land directly from the LORD. These boundaries, often marked by stone heaps or other fixed markers, represented a divine gift and an economic lifeline for families. Moving them constituted not just a theft but a direct affront to God's ordained distribution of land, disrupting social order and impoverishing families.
Deuteronomy 19 14 Word analysis
- You shall not remove (לֹא תַסִּיג lo tassīg): This strong negative command uses a verb that implies "to push back," "to set aside," or "to violate a boundary." It's an active transgression against established order.
- your neighbor's landmark (גְּבוּל רֵעֲךָ gevul reaʿeka):
- gevul (גְּבוּל): Means "boundary," "border," "limit." In this context, it refers to the physical markers—stones, mounds, or pillars—that defined the precise limits of a land plot. These markers were vital as surveys were rudimentary, and exact maps did not exist. Their removal was a subtle but profound act of theft, allowing one to enlarge their land at another's expense.
- reaʿeka (רֵעֲךָ): "Your neighbor," "your friend," "your fellow citizen." This term emphasizes the communal aspect and the violation of trust inherent in such an act against a fellow Israelite.
- which your forefathers have set (אֲשֶׁר גָּבְלוּ רִאשֹׁנִים ʾăsher gāvelû rishonim):
- "Forefathers" (rishonim): Literally "the first ones" or "the ancients." This highlights the antiquity and divinely sanctioned origin of these boundaries, established during the initial allocation of land in the time of Joshua, passed down through generations. Moving them dishonored ancestors and violated sacred tradition.
- in your inheritance which you shall inherit in the land that the LORD your God is giving you to possess: This phrase meticulously defines the scope of the law. It underscores:
- "Your inheritance": Emphasizes the God-given patrimony of each family, vital for their economic and social well-being.
- "In the land that the LORD your God is giving you to possess": Reminds the Israelites that the land is not theirs by conquest alone, but a divine grant. Disrespecting its boundaries is disrespecting the divine Donor and His intended order. This connection to divine gift elevates the importance of the command from a mere property law to a spiritual principle.
Deuteronomy 19 14 Bonus section
The "landmark" (gevul) can be seen not just as a physical marker but as a symbol of established divine order and social justice. Its removal represents the transgression of both material and ethical boundaries. This principle extends beyond physical property, serving as a metaphor for respecting all legitimate boundaries in life—social, ethical, and spiritual—which are established by God or by wise traditions derived from Him. Thus, the integrity of a nation, the sanctity of marriage, or even the limits of personal ambition could metaphorically be seen as "landmarks" that should not be unjustly "removed" or violated. This command speaks to the integrity required for living within the blessings of a God-given inheritance.
Deuteronomy 19 14 Commentary
Deuteronomy 19:14 establishes a cornerstone for economic justice and communal harmony in ancient Israel. The command not to remove a neighbor's landmark is a clear prohibition against land theft and the exploitation of the vulnerable. In a society where wealth was primarily measured by land, illegally shifting boundary markers allowed one to unjustly acquire more territory at the expense of another, effectively stealing a family's livelihood and future. This act was particularly insidious because it could be done covertly, making it difficult to prove or rectify.
The inclusion of "forefathers have set" highlights the historical and traditional sanctity of these boundaries, tracing their legitimacy back to the original divine distribution of the land among the tribes and families. To violate these ancient markers was an act of profound disrespect, undermining the social order, ancestral legacy, and the covenantal relationship with God, who apportioned the land. The curse associated with this act in Dt 27:17 underscores its gravity, placing it among the most serious transgressions against societal well-being. This verse therefore serves as a practical application of the broader commands against covetousness and theft, ensuring equitable land distribution and fostering stable, just communities in the Promised Land. It also subtly reinforces the principle that all land ultimately belongs to God, and human tenure is stewardship, bound by His laws.