share torah logo

Deuteronomy 19:14 - Respect ancestral property boundaries.

Deuteronomy 19:14 - דברים 19:14

Hebrew Text

לֹא תַסִּיג גְּבוּל רֵעֲךָ אֲשֶׁר גָּבְלוּ רִאשֹׁנִים בְּנַחֲלָתְךָ אֲשֶׁר תִּנְחַל בָּאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ נֹתֵן לְךָ לְרִשְׁתָּהּ׃

English Translation

Thou shalt not remove thy neighbour’s landmark, which they of old time have set in thy inheritance, which thou shalt inherit in the land that the Lord thy God gives thee to possess it.

Transliteration

Lo tasig gvul re'ekha asher gavlu rishonim benakhalatekha asher tinkhal ba'aretz asher Adonai Elohekha noten lekha lerishtah.

Hebrew Leining Text

לֹ֤א תַסִּיג֙ גְּב֣וּל רֵֽעֲךָ֔ אֲשֶׁ֥ר גָּבְל֖וּ רִאשֹׁנִ֑ים בְּנַחֲלָֽתְךָ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר תִּנְחַ֔ל בָּאָ֕רֶץ אֲשֶׁר֙ יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ נֹתֵ֥ן לְךָ֖ לְרִשְׁתָּֽהּ׃ <span class="mam-spi-samekh">{ס}</span>        
לֹ֤א תַסִּיג֙ גְּב֣וּל רֵֽעֲךָ֔ אֲשֶׁ֥ר גָּבְל֖וּ רִאשֹׁנִ֑ים בְּנַחֲלָֽתְךָ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר תִּנְחַ֔ל בָּאָ֕רֶץ אֲשֶׁר֙ יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ נֹתֵ֥ן לְךָ֖ לְרִשְׁתָּֽהּ׃ {ס}        

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Prohibition Against Moving Landmarks

The verse (Devarim 19:14) prohibits the act of תַסִּיג גְּבוּל ("removing a landmark"), which Rashi explains as encroaching on a neighbor's property by moving boundary markers established by earlier generations. This is considered a form of theft and deception, as it unlawfully expands one's own land at the expense of another's inheritance.

Historical and Legal Context

Rambam (Hilchot Gezeilah 7:11) elaborates that this prohibition applies not only to physical landmarks but also to any act of deception in property disputes. The Talmud (Bava Batra 100b) emphasizes that this law upholds the integrity of ancestral land divisions, ensuring that each tribe and family retains their rightful portion in Eretz Yisrael.

Spiritual and Ethical Dimensions

  • Respect for Ancestral Rights: The phrase "אֲשֶׁר גָּבְלוּ רִאשֹׁנִים" ("which they of old time have set") teaches that boundaries established by earlier generations must be honored, reflecting a broader principle of respecting tradition and communal agreements (Sifrei Devarim 188).
  • Divine Ownership: The verse concludes by reminding us that the land is a gift from Hashem ("אֲשֶׁר יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ נֹתֵן לְךָ"), underscoring that human ownership is temporary and subject to divine will (Kli Yakar).

Broader Applications

The Midrash (Devarim Rabbah 5:5) extends this prohibition metaphorically to any form of encroachment—whether financial, reputational, or spiritual—teaching that one must not "move boundaries" in any area of life. The Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 589) adds that this commandment cultivates honesty and contentment with one's divinely allotted portion.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Bava Batra 100b
The verse is discussed in the context of laws regarding property boundaries and the prohibition against moving landmarks.
📖 Sanhedrin 57b
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the Noahide laws and the prohibition against theft, which includes moving landmarks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does 'Thou shalt not remove thy neighbour’s landmark' mean in Deuteronomy 19:14?
A: This verse prohibits moving or altering boundary markers that define property lines. In Jewish law (Halacha), this is a serious offense because it constitutes theft of land. Rashi explains that this applies not only to physical landmarks but also to any form of dishonesty in business or property dealings.
Q: Why is it forbidden to move a neighbor's boundary marker?
A: Moving a boundary marker is considered theft (גזל) and a violation of ethical behavior. The Rambam (Hilchot Gezeilah 7:11) states that this prohibition applies even if no one sees you do it, because honesty in property rights is fundamental to a just society. The Talmud (Bava Batra 100b) also warns that altering boundaries brings divine punishment.
Q: Does this law apply only to land in Israel?
A: While the verse specifically mentions the Land of Israel, Jewish law (based on the Talmud and later authorities) applies this prohibition universally. The Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 589) explains that ethical laws like this one are binding everywhere, as they uphold justice and fairness in society.
Q: What lesson can we learn from this verse today?
A: This verse teaches the importance of respecting others' property and maintaining honesty in all dealings. The Midrash (Sifrei Devarim) connects this to broader ethical behavior—just as we must not steal land, we must also avoid taking credit for others' work or misleading people in business.
Q: Are there modern examples of violating this commandment?
A: Yes. While physical boundary markers are less common today, this law applies to any form of property fraud—such as forging documents to claim land, encroaching on a neighbor’s property, or misrepresenting property lines in a sale. The Shulchan Aruch (Choshen Mishpat 231) extends this to all forms of dishonest business practices.