Deuteronomy 27:17

Modern

‘Cursed is he who moves his neighbor’s boundary stone.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’

Traditional

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

Literal

‘Cursed is he who moves a border of his neighbor.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’

Latin

Maledictus qui transfert terminos proximi sui: et dicet omnis populus: Amen.

Hebrew

English

‘Cursed is he who moves his neighbor’s boundary stone.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’

Moving a boundary marker to increase one’s own land is the same as stealing. It takes property that belongs to someone else.

This action clearly breaks the eighth commandment, which says not to steal (see 5:19; 19:14).

Mount Gerizim is just west of Mount Ebal. Shechem is in the valley between them.
to bless: God positioned the tribes or their representatives carefully. This was so that while the Levites read the covenant from the valley below, the other tribes would respond by shouting "Amen!" This is a Hebrew term that means "May it be so." They said this to show their agreement with the terms of the covenant.

Theme notes and profiles

Deuteronomy 19:14
You must not move your neighbor’s boundary marker, which was set up by your ancestors to mark the inheritance you shall receive in the land that the LORD your God is giving you to possess.
Proverbs 22:28
Do not move an ancient boundary stone which your fathers have placed.
Proverbs 23:10–11
Do not move an ancient boundary stone or encroach on the fields of the fatherless,