Proverbs 22:28

28 Do not remove an ancient boundary marker which your ancestors made.

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.

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FOOTNOTES:

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

Proverbs 22:28 In-Context

26 Do not be with those who {give a pledge} {by becoming} surety.

27 If there is nothing for you to pay, why will he take your bed from under you?

28 Do not remove an ancient boundary marker which your ancestors made.

29 A man who is skillful in his work, you shall see: before kings, he will serve; he will not serve before the commoners.

Footnotes

• [a] Or "fathers"