Proverbs 23:10
New International Version
Do not move an ancient boundary stone or encroach on the fields of the fatherless,

New Living Translation
Don’t cheat your neighbor by moving the ancient boundary markers; don’t take the land of defenseless orphans.

English Standard Version
Do not move an ancient landmark or enter the fields of the fatherless,

Berean Standard Bible
Do not move an ancient boundary stone or encroach on the fields of the fatherless,

King James Bible
Remove not the old landmark; and enter not into the fields of the fatherless:

New King James Version
Do not remove the ancient landmark, Nor enter the fields of the fatherless;

New American Standard Bible
Do not move the ancient boundary Or go into the fields of the fatherless,

NASB 1995
Do not move the ancient boundary Or go into the fields of the fatherless,

NASB 1977
Do not move the ancient boundary, Or go into the fields of the fatherless;

Legacy Standard Bible
Do not move the ancient boundary And do not come into the fields of the orphans,

Amplified Bible
Do not move the ancient landmark [at the boundary of the property] And do not go into the fields of the fatherless [to take what is theirs],

Christian Standard Bible
Don’t move an ancient boundary marker, and don’t encroach on the fields of the fatherless,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Don’t move an ancient boundary marker, and don’t encroach on the fields of the fatherless,

American Standard Version
Remove not the ancient landmark; And enter not into the fields of the fatherless:

Contemporary English Version
Don't move a boundary marker or take the land that belongs to orphans.

English Revised Version
Remove not the ancient landmark; and enter not into the fields of the fatherless:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Do not move an ancient boundary marker or enter fields that belong to orphans,

Good News Translation
Never move an old property line or take over land owned by orphans.

International Standard Version
Don't move ancient boundaries or invade fields belonging to orphans;

Majority Standard Bible
Do not move an ancient boundary stone or encroach on the fields of the fatherless,

NET Bible
Do not move an ancient boundary stone, or take over the fields of the fatherless,

New Heart English Bible
Do not move the ancient boundary stone. Do not encroach on the fields of the fatherless:

Webster's Bible Translation
Remove not the old landmark; and enter not into the fields of the fatherless:

World English Bible
Don’t move the ancient boundary stone. Don’t encroach on the fields of the fatherless,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Do not remove a border of ancient times, "" And do not enter into fields of the fatherless,

Young's Literal Translation
Remove not a border of olden times, And into fields of the fatherless enter not,

Smith's Literal Translation
Thou shalt not remove the old bound; and into the field of the orphans thou shalt not come:
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Touch not the bounds of little ones: and enter not into the field of the fatherless:

Catholic Public Domain Version
Do not touch the boundaries of little ones, and do not enter into the field of the fatherless.

New American Bible
Do not remove the ancient landmark, nor invade the fields of the fatherless;

New Revised Standard Version
Do not remove an ancient landmark or encroach on the fields of orphans,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Do not remove the old landmark; nor enter into the field of the fatherless;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Do not remove the boundary which is of old, and do not enter into the field of orphans
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Remove not the ancient landmark; And enter not into the fields of the fatherless;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Remove not the ancient landmarks; and enter not upon the possession of the fatherless:

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
True Riches
9Do not speak to a fool, for he will despise the wisdom of your words. 10Do not move an ancient boundary stone or encroach on the fields of the fatherless, 11for their Redeemer is strong; He will take up their case against you.…

Cross References
Deuteronomy 19:14
You must not move your neighbor’s boundary marker, which was set up by your ancestors to mark the inheritance you shall receive in the land that the LORD your God is giving you to possess.

Deuteronomy 27:17
‘Cursed is he who moves his neighbor’s boundary stone.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’

Exodus 22:22-24
You must not mistreat any widow or orphan. / If you do mistreat them, and they cry out to Me in distress, I will surely hear their cry. / My anger will be kindled, and I will kill you with the sword; then your wives will become widows and your children will be fatherless.

Isaiah 5:8
Woe to you who add house to house and join field to field until no place is left and you live alone in the land.

Job 24:2
Men move boundary stones; they pasture stolen flocks.

Hosea 5:10
The princes of Judah are like those who move boundary stones; I will pour out My fury upon them like water.

Jeremiah 22:3
This is what the LORD says: Administer justice and righteousness. Rescue the victim of robbery from the hand of his oppressor. Do no wrong or violence to the foreigner, the fatherless, or the widow. Do not shed innocent blood in this place.

Psalm 94:6
They kill the widow and the foreigner; they murder the fatherless.

Psalm 82:3-4
Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; uphold the rights of the afflicted and oppressed. / Rescue the weak and needy; save them from the hand of the wicked.

Malachi 3:5
“Then I will draw near to you for judgment. And I will be a swift witness against sorcerers and adulterers and perjurers, against oppressors of the widowed and fatherless, and against those who defraud laborers of their wages and deny justice to the foreigner but do not fear Me,” says the LORD of Hosts.

Matthew 23:14
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let in those who wish to enter.

James 1:27
Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

Luke 20:46-47
“Beware of the scribes. They like to walk around in long robes, and they love the greetings in the marketplaces, the chief seats in the synagogues, and the places of honor at banquets. / They defraud widows of their houses, and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will receive greater condemnation.”

Mark 12:38-40
In His teaching Jesus also said, “Watch out for the scribes. They like to walk around in long robes, to receive greetings in the marketplaces, / and to have the chief seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. / They defraud widows of their houses, and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will receive greater condemnation.”

Matthew 21:38-41
But when the tenants saw the son, they said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and take his inheritance.’ / So they seized him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. / Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard returns, what will he do to those tenants?” ...


Treasury of Scripture

Remove not the old landmark; and enter not into the fields of the fatherless:

remove

Proverbs 22:28
Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.

Deuteronomy 19:14
Thou shalt not remove thy neighbour'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 27:17
Cursed be he that removeth his neighbour's landmark. And all the people shall say, Amen.

landmark

Job 6:27
Yea, ye overwhelm the fatherless, and ye dig a pit for your friend.

Job 22:9
Thou hast sent widows away empty, and the arms of the fatherless have been broken.

Job 24:3,9
They drive away the ass of the fatherless, they take the widow's ox for a pledge…

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Proverbs 23
1. Consider carefully what is before you














Do not move
The phrase "Do not move" is a direct command, emphasizing the importance of respecting established boundaries. In the Hebrew context, the verb used here is "nasag," which means to remove or to shift. This command reflects a broader principle of integrity and respect for others' property and rights. In ancient Israel, boundary stones were sacred markers that defined property lines. Moving them was not only an act of theft but also a violation of communal trust and divine law. This command serves as a reminder of the importance of honesty and respect in our dealings with others.

an ancient boundary stone
The "ancient boundary stone" refers to the physical markers used to delineate property lines in ancient times. These stones were often set by ancestors and held significant legal and cultural weight. The Hebrew word for "ancient" is "olam," which conveys a sense of perpetuity or timelessness. This highlights the enduring nature of these boundaries, which were meant to be respected across generations. The boundary stone symbolizes the stability and order that God desires in human relationships and society. It serves as a metaphor for respecting the limits and rights established by God and tradition.

or encroach on
The phrase "or encroach on" suggests an act of intrusion or violation. The Hebrew word "bo" implies entering or coming into an area unlawfully. This warning against encroachment underscores the importance of respecting others' space and possessions. In a broader sense, it speaks to the ethical principle of not taking advantage of others, especially those who are vulnerable. It calls for a life of righteousness and justice, where one honors the rights and dignity of others.

the fields of the fatherless
The "fields of the fatherless" refers to the property belonging to orphans, who were among the most vulnerable members of ancient society. The Hebrew term "yatom" for "fatherless" highlights their lack of protection and provision, as they had no father to defend their rights. In biblical times, the fatherless were often subject to exploitation and injustice. This phrase serves as a call to protect and uphold the rights of the marginalized and defenseless. It reflects God's heart for justice and His command to care for the needy, as seen throughout Scripture. The verse as a whole is a powerful reminder of the call to live justly, respecting both divine and human laws, and to care for those who cannot defend themselves.

(10) Remove not the old landmark.--See above, on Proverbs 22:28.

Verses 10, 11. - An enlargement of Proverbs 22:28 combined with Proverbs 22:22, 28. Verse 10. - Enter not into the fields of the fatherless. Do not think to appropriate the fields of orphans, as if there were no our to defend their rights (comp. Proverbs 15:25).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Do not
אַל־ (’al-)
Adverb
Strong's 408: Not

move
תַּ֭סֵּג (tas·sêḡ)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect Jussive - second person masculine singular
Strong's 5253: Departing away, remove, take hold, turn away

an ancient
עוֹלָ֑ם (‘ō·w·lām)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5769: Concealed, eternity, frequentatively, always

boundary stone
גְּב֣וּל (gə·ḇūl)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1366: A cord, a boundary, the territory inclosed

[or]
אַל־ (’al-)
Adverb
Strong's 408: Not

encroach
תָּבֹֽא׃ (tā·ḇō)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

on the fields
וּבִשְׂדֵ֥י (ū·ḇiś·ḏê)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 7704: Field, land

of the fatherless,
יְ֝תוֹמִ֗ים (yə·ṯō·w·mîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3490: A bereaved person


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 23:10 Don't move the ancient boundary stone (Prov. Pro Pr)
Proverbs 23:9
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