King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 27:17 Mean?

Deuteronomy 27:17 in the King James Version says “Cursed be he that removeth his neighbour's landmark. And all the people shall say, Amen. — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 27 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Cursed be he that removeth his neighbour's landmark. And all the people shall say, Amen.

Deuteronomy 27:17 · KJV


Context

15

Cursed be the man that maketh any graven or molten image, an abomination unto the LORD, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and putteth it in a secret place. And all the people shall answer and say, Amen.

16

Cursed be he that setteth light by his father or his mother. And all the people shall say, Amen.

17

Cursed be he that removeth his neighbour's landmark. And all the people shall say, Amen.

18

Cursed be he that maketh the blind to wander out of the way. And all the people shall say, Amen.

19

Cursed be he that perverteth the judgment of the stranger, fatherless, and widow. And all the people shall say, Amen.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Cursed be he that removeth his neighbour's landmark—The Hebrew massig gevul (מַסִּיג גְּבוּל) means moving boundary markers to steal land by fraud. Ancient landmarks were stone markers defining property inheritance, making their removal equivalent to theft, false witness, and covenant violation simultaneously. Proverbs 22:28 and 23:10 explicitly forbid this practice.

In Israel's theology, land was ultimately God's possession, distributed by divine allotment (Numbers 26:52-56). Each tribe's and family's inheritance was sacred trust, not mere real estate. Removing landmarks didn't just rob neighbors—it challenged God's sovereign land distribution. The curse falls on secrecy again: landmark removal happened covertly, under cover of night or during boundary disputes when witnesses were scarce.

This principle extends beyond literal landmarks to protecting rightful ownership, inheritance rights, and established boundaries. Hosea 5:10 condemns Judah's princes as "them that remove the bound," using this imagery for covenant violations and territorial aggression.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Archaeological evidence shows that ancient boundary markers were indeed moved in land disputes. The Egyptian Instructions of Amenemope (similar to Proverbs) also prohibits moving boundary stones, showing this was a widespread ancient concern. However, Israel's prohibition had theological grounding—the land was Canaan inheritance promised to Abraham's seed, making boundaries sacred. The Jubilee laws (Leviticus 25) further protected ancestral land from permanent alienation.

Reflection Questions

  1. What modern equivalents to 'removing landmarks' might you be guilty of—shifting ethical boundaries, encroaching on others' rights, or stealing through legal but immoral means?
  2. How does understanding land as God's gift (not earned possession) shape Christian stewardship of property and resources?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 8 words
אָר֕וּר1 of 8

Cursed

H779

to execrate

מַסִּ֖יג2 of 8

be he that removeth

H5253

to retreat

גְּב֣וּל3 of 8

landmark

H1366

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

רֵעֵ֑הוּ4 of 8

his neighbour's

H7453

an associate (more or less close)

וְאָמַ֥ר5 of 8

shall say

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

כָּל6 of 8
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הָעָ֖ם7 of 8

And all the people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

אָמֵֽן׃8 of 8

Amen

H543

sure; abstract, faithfulness; adverb, truly


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 27:17 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 27:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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