King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 19:14 Mean?

Deuteronomy 19:14 in the King James Version says “Thou shalt not remove thy neighbour's landmark, which they of old time have set in thine inheritance, which thou shalt i... — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 19 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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 19:14 · KJV


Context

12

Then the elders of his city shall send and fetch him thence, and deliver him into the hand of the avenger of blood, that he may die.

13

Thine eye shall not pity him, but thou shalt put away the guilt of innocent blood from Israel, that it may go well with thee.

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.

15

One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.

16

If a false witness rise up against any man to testify against him that which is wrong; that: or, falling away


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Thou shalt not remove thy neighbour's landmark (לֹא תַסִּיג גְּבוּל רֵעֲךָ, lo tasig gevul re'akha)—the verb nasag (נָסַג) means to move back, to encroach. Ancient boundary markers (gevul, גְּבוּל) were typically stone pillars marking inherited land allotments. Moving them was theft disguised as surveying, a crime difficult to prove and easy to commit.

The phrase which they of old time have set (אֲשֶׁר גָּבְלוּ רִאשֹׁנִים, asher gavlu rishonim) appeals to ancestral authority—these boundaries were established during Joshua's original land distribution and represent God's sovereign allotment. To move them is to challenge divine providence itself. Proverbs 22:28 and 23:10 repeat this prohibition, and Job 24:2 condemns landmark-movers alongside the worst criminals. The prophets denounced rulers who seized land by moving boundaries (Hosea 5:10).

This law protected family inheritance in perpetuity, preventing powerful landlords from gradually absorbing smaller holdings—a constant temptation in agricultural societies.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

In ancient agricultural economies, land was the primary form of wealth and security. The Joshua-era land distribution (c. 1400 BC) allotted each tribe and family specific inheritances, intended to remain in perpetuity. Without modern surveying technology, stone markers established boundaries. Moving these markers was a surreptitious form of theft that disproportionately harmed the poor and powerless, who lacked resources to contest encroachment. Later biblical history shows this law was frequently violated—wealthy landowners consolidated holdings, creating the latifundia estates that the eighth-century prophets condemned (Isaiah 5:8, Micah 2:2).

Reflection Questions

  1. What modern equivalents exist to "moving landmarks"—subtle forms of theft disguised as legitimate activity?
  2. How does respect for property rights reflect the eighth commandment's deeper principle of respecting God's sovereign distribution of resources?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
לֹ֤א1 of 17
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

תַסִּיג֙2 of 17

Thou shalt not remove

H5253

to retreat

גְּב֣וּל3 of 17

landmark

H1366

properly, a cord (as twisted), i.e., (by implication) a boundary; by extension the territory inclosed

רֵֽעֲךָ֔4 of 17

thy neighbour's

H7453

an associate (more or less close)

אֲשֶׁ֥ר5 of 17
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

גָּֽבְל֖וּ6 of 17

have set

H1379

properly, to twist as a rope; to bound (as by a line)

רִֽאשֹׁנִ֑ים7 of 17

which they of old time

H7223

first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun)

בְּנַחֲלָֽתְךָ֙8 of 17

in thine inheritance

H5159

properly, something inherited, i.e., (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion

אֲשֶׁ֣ר9 of 17
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

תִּנְחַ֔ל10 of 17

which thou shalt inherit

H5157

to inherit (as a (figurative) mode of descent), or (generally) to occupy; causatively, to bequeath, or (generally) distribute, instate

בָּאָ֕רֶץ11 of 17

in the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

אֲשֶׁר֙12 of 17
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

יְהוָ֣ה13 of 17

that the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ14 of 17

thy God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

נֹתֵ֥ן15 of 17

giveth

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לְךָ֖16 of 17
H0
לְרִשְׁתָּֽהּ׃17 of 17

thee to possess

H3423

to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by implication, to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Deuteronomy. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Deuteronomy 19:14 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Deuteronomy 19:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study