Paragraph 23:10–11 Saying 10

This saying deals with the topic of boundary markers, as does 22:28. Two major differences are that this saying adds a specific warning not to steal land from orphans. Verse 23:11 also gives a reason or motivation to obey the warning.

23:10

The first line is a general command that would apply to anyone’s land. The second line applies specifically to land that is owned by orphans.

10a Do not move an ancient boundary stone

10b or encroach on the fields of the fatherless,

23:10a

Do not move an ancient boundary stone: This command is a warning to not steal the property of a neighbor by changing the original boundary marker. It is identical to the first part of 22:28. See how you translated that part of the verse.

23:10b

or encroach on the fields of the fatherless: In Hebrew, this clause is literally “and do not enter the fields of orphans.” If this were an isolated command, it could refer simply to trespassing on land that belonged to an orphan. However, the parallel command in 23:10a strongly implies that this command refers to illegally taking possession of the land.

fields: In Hebrew, this word refers to any land/property, including open fields and land that is used for pasturing animals.

fatherless: In Hebrew, this word can refer to any child (not yet an adult) who has lost a parent. There are no verses that refer specifically to a child who has lost both parents. Many versions translate this word as fatherless, because it was the father who normally protected the legal rights of the children. In this context, the word refers to children who have inherited property from their dead father. Since they are not yet of legal age, they have no one to defend their property rights in court.

In some languages, there may be a specific word that refers to children with no father. If not, you may use a more general word, such as “orphans.”

Some other ways to translate this command are:

or take over the fields of the fatherless (NET Bible)
-or-
don’t take the land of defenseless orphans (New Living Translation (2004))

General Comment on 23:10a–b

In some languages, it may be helpful to reorder the parallel lines in order to clarify the relationship between them. For example:

Don’t steal the land of defenseless orphans by moving the ancient boundary markers (New Living Translation (1996))

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