Proverbs 22:28 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Do not move the ancient landmark that your fathers have set.

NIV: Do not move an ancient boundary stone set up by your ancestors.

NASB: Do not move the ancient boundary Which your fathers have set.

CSB: Don’t move an ancient boundary marker that your fathers set up.

NLT: Don’t cheat your neighbor by moving the ancient boundary markers set up by previous generations.

KJV: Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.

NKJV: Do not remove the ancient landmark Which your fathers have set.

The final negative command in this chapter refers to cheating others out of land or property. The technique described is manipulation of markers or records. The boundaries of a field—or other important lines (Genesis 31:51–52)—were often designated by the arrangement of stones at the perimeter. Apparently, a means of stealing land was to move those stones, making it appear as if the border was in a different place (Deuteronomy 19:14; Job 24:2; Hosea 5:10). Equivalent deceptions in the modern era might be moving a fence, changing a map, uprooting surveyor's stakes, or altering a document.

Before Israel entered Canaan, the Promised Land, the Lord commanded them: "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). Later, when Moses gathered the people together, he told them to divide by tribes and stand on two mountains, Mount Gerizim to hear blessings and Mount Ebal to hear curses. Among the curses is this one: "Cursed be anyone who moves his neighbor's landmark" (Deuteronomy 27:17).

In a broader sense, this proverb could be interpreted as a warning not to discard the boundaries set by prior generations. A modern adage notes that before one takes down a fence, it's important to know why it was put up in the first place. Each new generation questions the moral or social restrictions of their ancestors; while not all such restrictions are good, it's also not good to throw away those boundaries simply because they are ancient.

This chapter completes a long string of wise sayings attributed to Solomon (Proverbs 10:1). He notes that reputation and godliness are far better than money. He also notes that godly wisdom keeps a person from various dangers. Loving parents use proper discipline to instill wisdom in their children. The last portion of the chapter introduces a new passage, made up of thirty wise teachings which Solomon endorses. This string of advice continues into chapter 24.

This chapter is the last of the second division of the book, including all of chapters 10—21. This section includes some 375 verses, mostly in paired lines. Chapter 22 completes these statements, then introduces a collection of thirty wise sayings endorsed by Solomon. The first five are negative commands, warning to avoid certain vices. Chapter 23 continues with more sayings of advice.

Proverbs is best understood in context with the books of Ecclesiastes and Job. In Proverbs, “wisdom” is given in short, simple, general terms. Ecclesiastes represents wisdom based on observation and experience. This often shows how the general principles of the book of Proverbs don’t apply in absolutely every circumstance. Job represents wisdom based on the experience of suffering and injustice. All three come to the conclusion that God does indeed know best, and the most sensible course of action is to follow His will.