Proverbs 23:10

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Proverbs 23:10 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Remove not the ancient landmark; And enter not into the fields of the fatherless:” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Remove not the ancient landmark; And enter not into the fields of the fatherless:
Proverbs 23:10 — American Standard Version

Context — Proverbs 23

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
10Remove not the ancient landmark; And enter not into the fields of the fatherless:

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Remove not the old landmark, etc.] (See Gill on “<202228>Proverbs 22:28”); and enter not into the fields of the fatherless; to carry off the increase of them, to reap their wheat, or mow their grass, or turn in cattle to eat it; or to encroach upon them, take in any part of them, or join the whole to their own; for if there is a woe to them that lay field to field, much more to them that enter into and take the fields of the fatherless, and join them to their own, (<230508>Isaiah 5:8).”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“(Compare Pro 22:22-23).”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Enter not - To possess their lands. Proverbs 23:11”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“23:10-11 Saying 10: The wise avoid unfair business practices and illegitimate gains (see 22:28), knowing that the Lord will judge wrongdoing. • Redeemer: The NLT is probably correct in capitalizing the word Redeemer and identifying him with God, although a human redeemer might be intended.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Remove: Pro 22:28; Deu 19:14, Deu 27:17; Job 24:2 landmark: or, bound fatherless: Job 6:27, Job 22:9, Job 24:3, Job 24:9, Job 31:21-23; Psa 94:6; Jer 7:5, Jer 22:3; Zac 7:10; Mal 3:5; Jam 1:27 Proverbs 23:11”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“The following proverb forms a new whole from component parts of Pro 22:28 and Pro 22:22.: 10 Remove not ancient landmarks; And into the fields of orphans enter thou not. 11 For their Saviour is a mighty one; He will conduct their cause against thee. בּוא ב separates itself here to the meaning of injuste invadere et occupare; French, empiter sur son voisin, advance not into the ground belonging to thy neighbour (Fleischer). If orphans have also no goel among their kindred (Aquila, Symmachus, Theodotion, ἀγχιστεύς) to redeem by purchase ( Lev 25:25) their inheritance that has passed over into the possession of another, they have another, and that a mighty Saviour, Redemptor, who will restore…”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification