Deuteronomy 27:17

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

Cursed {H779} be he that removeth {H5253} his neighbour's {H7453} landmark {H1366}. And all the people {H5971} shall say {H559}, Amen {H543}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"'A curse on anyone who moves his neighbor's boundary marker.' All the people are to say, 'Amen!'

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 27:17 pronounces a solemn curse upon anyone who surreptitiously shifts their neighbor's property boundary marker, with the entire Israelite community affirming this pronouncement by declaring "Amen." This verse is part of a series of twelve curses delivered from Mount Ebal, designed to impress upon the Israelites the gravity of their covenant obligations and the severe consequences of violating God's righteous standards, particularly concerning justice, integrity, and the protection of individual inheritance within the Promised Land.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Deuteronomy 27:17 is situated within a pivotal section of Moses's final address to Israel, immediately preceding their entry into the Promised Land. Chapters 27 and 28 detail a grand covenant renewal ceremony to be performed upon crossing the Jordan. Specifically, verses 15-26 of chapter 27 enumerate twelve specific curses, each targeting a particular sin that might be committed in secret or against the vulnerable, thus requiring divine judgment. These curses are to be pronounced by the Levites from Mount Ebal, with "all the people" responding with a resounding "Amen" to each one, signifying their corporate assent and commitment to uphold God's law. This structured, public declaration underscores the communal responsibility for maintaining covenant fidelity.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, an agrarian society, land was the primary source of wealth, sustenance, and identity. Each family and tribe received a divinely allotted inheritance, as detailed in [Numbers 26:53](/numbers/26-53 "Numbers 26:53 - Division of the Land"). Property boundaries were typically marked by stones or other physical landmarks. Shifting these markers was a clandestine act of theft, difficult to prove but devastating to the dispossessed, often the poor or vulnerable who lacked the power to defend their claims. This practice undermined the very fabric of social order and economic stability, violating the principle of equitable distribution and secure inheritance that was foundational to Israel's covenant with God. The solemn public declaration of the curse served to deter such hidden injustices.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Deuteronomy and the broader Pentateuch. It highlights God's unwavering commitment to **justice and property rights**, emphasizing that even seemingly minor or hidden acts of fraud are an affront to divine order. It underscores the importance of **integrity and honesty** in all dealings, condemning deceitful practices that exploit others. Furthermore, the curse implicitly reveals God's **protection of the vulnerable**, ensuring that the weak are not dispossessed by the cunning or strong. Finally, the communal "Amen" reinforces the theme of **corporate accountability and covenant fidelity**, demonstrating that the entire community bore responsibility for upholding God's righteous standards and ensuring justice prevailed within their midst, as seen in the broader covenant obligations outlined in [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Cursed (Hebrew, _arur'_):** This term (אָרוּר) signifies a state of being under divine disfavor or condemnation, resulting in negative consequences. It is a declarative pronouncement of judgment, indicating that the one who commits the specified act is subject to God's severe displeasure and the inevitable repercussions that follow. Unlike a human curse, a divine curse carries inherent power and certainty of fulfillment.
* **Landmark (Hebrew, _gevul'_):** The Hebrew word (גְּבוּל) refers to a boundary, border, or limit. In this context, it specifically denotes the physical markers, often stones or piles of stones, that delineated the property lines between landholdings. These landmarks were sacred, representing the divinely ordained and legally recognized inheritance of a family or tribe, as established when the land was initially divided.
* **Amen (Hebrew, _amen'_):** This powerful Hebrew affirmation (אָמֵן) means "so be it," "truly," or "let it be confirmed." When spoken by "all the people" in response to each curse, it signifies their full, heartfelt agreement with the justice of the pronouncement, their solemn commitment to uphold the law, and their acknowledgment of the consequences for disobedience. It transforms the individual curse into a communal oath and a binding covenant affirmation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Cursed [be] he that removeth his neighbour's landmark."**: This opening clause establishes the divine judgment against a specific act of injustice. The phrase "removeth" (נָסַג, _nasag'_) implies a deliberate, often surreptitious, act of displacing or drawing back a boundary marker. This was a grave offense because it defrauded a neighbor of their rightful, divinely allotted inheritance, a foundational aspect of Israelite society. The curse highlights God's direct opposition to fraud, theft, and the violation of property rights, particularly when such acts exploit the vulnerable.
* **"And all the people shall say, Amen."**: This second clause emphasizes the communal aspect of covenant enforcement. The unanimous "Amen" from the entire assembly signifies their corporate understanding, agreement, and solemn commitment to the justice of the curse. It transforms the individual pronouncement into a collective affirmation of the law, indicating that the community itself takes responsibility for upholding these standards and acknowledging the divine consequences for their transgression. This public declaration served as a powerful deterrent and a binding oath.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 27:17 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. The primary device is the **Curse Formula**, a direct and declarative pronouncement structured as "Cursed be he who..." This formula lends gravity and divine authority to the statement, leaving no ambiguity about the severe consequences of the specified action. The **Repetition** of this formula throughout Deuteronomy 27:15-26, combined with the mandated **Choral Response** of "Amen" from "all the people," creates a powerful liturgical and communal experience. This collective affirmation transforms the individual curse into a corporate oath, emphasizing shared responsibility and accountability within the covenant community. Furthermore, the "landmark" itself functions as **Symbolism**. While literally a physical marker, it also symbolizes the divinely ordained order, justice, and the secure inheritance granted by God to His people. To move it is not merely physical theft but an assault on divine order and communal trust.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 27:17 profoundly underscores God's meticulous concern for justice, integrity, and the protection of the vulnerable within His covenant community. It reveals that God's law extends beyond grand theological principles to the most practical and seemingly mundane aspects of daily life, such as property boundaries. This curse highlights the sanctity of individual inheritance, which was divinely allocated and therefore not to be tampered with by human deceit. The communal "Amen" further emphasizes that upholding justice is not merely an individual responsibility but a collective obligation, where the entire community is called to affirm and enforce righteous standards, reflecting God's own character.

* [Proverbs 22:28](/proverbs/22-28 "Proverbs 22:28 - Do Not Remove Ancient Landmarks")
* [Proverbs 23:10-11](/proverbs/23-10 "Proverbs 23:10-11 - Do Not Move Ancient Landmarks")
* [Job 24:2](/job/24-2 "Job 24:2 - Wicked Who Move Landmarks")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While physical landmarks may not be a common concern in modern contexts, the enduring principles of Deuteronomy 27:17 remain profoundly relevant for believers today. This verse challenges us to cultivate a deep respect for the rights and possessions of others, whether those are tangible assets, intellectual property, or even personal boundaries. It calls us to absolute honesty and integrity in all our dealings, condemning any form of deceit, manipulation, or exploitation that seeks to gain an unfair advantage at another's expense. As followers of Christ, we are called to be agents of justice, not only by personal uprightness but also by advocating for fair systems and protecting the vulnerable from economic or social exploitation. Our "Amen" to God's standards should manifest in our active commitment to righteousness within our communities, ensuring that our lives reflect the God who cares deeply about fairness and equity.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I be tempted to "remove a landmark" in my own life, whether through subtle dishonesty, taking advantage of others, or disrespecting boundaries?**
* **How does my commitment to justice and integrity in financial and relational dealings reflect my "Amen" to God's righteous standards?**
* **What is my responsibility, as part of the Christian community, to uphold justice and protect the vulnerable from exploitation, even when it's not directly my problem?**

### FAQ
**Why was moving a landmark considered such a severe offense, warranting a curse?**

Answer: Moving a landmark was considered a severe offense because it was a clandestine act of theft that directly violated a neighbor's divinely allocated inheritance. In ancient Israel, land was the primary source of livelihood and family identity, passed down through generations. Each family's portion was considered a sacred trust from God, as outlined in passages like [Numbers 26:53](/numbers/26-53 "Numbers 26:53 - Division of the Land"). Shifting a landmark was a hidden crime, difficult to detect and prove, often preying on the less powerful or vulnerable. It undermined the very foundation of social and economic order, leading to dispossession and poverty for the victim. The curse underscored God's deep concern for justice, property rights, and the protection of the weak from exploitation, making it a direct affront to His righteous character and covenant principles.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 27:17, with its solemn curse against those who remove their neighbor's landmark, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in several ways. While the Old Testament law exposed humanity's inability to perfectly uphold God's righteous standards, Jesus Christ perfectly embodied the spirit of this law. He consistently upheld justice, condemned all forms of deceit and exploitation, and championed the cause of the vulnerable, as seen in His denunciation of those who "devour widows' houses" ([Matthew 23:14](/matthew/23-14 "Matthew 23:14 - Woe to Scribes and Pharisees")). More profoundly, Christ became the ultimate "landmark" of God's redemptive plan, establishing the true boundaries of salvation and righteousness. He is the one who took upon Himself the curse of the law, becoming "a curse for us" ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse of the Law")), thereby freeing believers from the condemnation that comes from failing to perfectly keep such laws. Through His atoning sacrifice, He not only upholds divine justice but also provides the means for us to live righteously, enabling us by His Spirit to respect others' rights, practice integrity, and build communities founded on truth and love, reflecting the very character of God who established the original landmarks of justice.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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.

Proverbs 22:28

¶ Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.

Proverbs 23:10

¶ Remove not the old landmark; and enter not into the fields of the fatherless:

Proverbs 23:11

For their redeemer [is] mighty; he shall plead their cause with thee.