Bible Commentaries
Proverbs 28

Verses 1-28

Proverbs 22:26-27 Third Saying (Tetrastitch) Proverbs 22:26 forms a single proverbial thought using four lines. This is called a tetrastitch.

Proverbs 22:26 Be not thou one of them that strike hands, or of them that are sureties for debts.

Proverbs 22:27 If thou hast nothing to pay, why should he take away thy bed from under thee?

Proverbs 22:28 Fourth Saying (Distitch) Comments - Proverbs 22:28 forms a single proverbial thought using two lines, which is called a distitch.

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

Proverbs 22:28 Comments - The Mosaic Law made provisions for preserving the ancient boundary marks set by the founding fathers of the nation of Israel (Deuteronomy 19:14; Deuteronomy 27:17). These boundary marks were originally set during the time of Joshua during the allotment of the land to the twelve tribes of Israel immediately after the conquest of the Promised Land (Joshua 13:1 to Joshua 21:45). During the course of the nation’s history, land was lost because of poverty, or the need to sell one’s land; it was lost by marauding groups from neighbouring countries; it was taken by corruption (Job 24:2). For example, King Ahab killed Naboth and took possession of his land (1 Kings 21:1-16). Today in many countries, the office of land registry is corrupted, so that government officials change land titles through bribes, or land owners simply encroach out of their boundaries and steal portions of neighbouring land.

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.”

Job 24:2, “Some remove the landmarks; they violently take away flocks, and feed thereof.”

Scripture Reference - Note a similar proverb:

Proverbs 23:10, “Remove not the old landmark; and enter not into the fields of the fatherless:”