Proverbs 22:28

28 Remove not the old landmarks, which thy fathers placed.

Proverbs 22:28 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 22:28

Remove not the ancient landmark which thy fathers have set.
] Or, "the ancient border" or "boundary" ^F14; by which lands, estates, and inheritances, were marked, bounded, and distinguished; set by ancestors in agreement with their neighbours; which to remove was contrary to a law, and a curse is denounced upon those that did it, ( Deuteronomy 19:14 ) ( 27:17 ) ; and was always reckoned a very heinous crime in early times; (See Gill on Job 24:2). This was so sacred a thing among the Romans, that they had a deity which presided over those bounds, and had its name from them. Some apply this, in a political sense, to laws of long standing, and customs of long prescription; and others interpret it, in a theological sense, of doctrines and practices settled by the fathers of the church; which, if understood of Christ and his apostles only, will be allowed; but if of the ancient fathers of the church that followed them, it should not be received; since they were but fallible men, and guilty of many errors and mistakes, both in doctrine and practice.

---

FOOTNOTES:

F14 (Mlwe lwbg) "terminum antiquum", Pagninus, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Michaelis, Schultens.

Proverbs 22:28 In-Context

26 Become not surety from respect of a man's person.

27 For if those have not whence to give compensation, they will take the bed under thee.

28 Remove not the old landmarks, which thy fathers placed.

29 It is fit that an observant man and diligent in his business should attend on kings, and not attend on slothful men.

Footnotes

• [a]. Gr. eternal.