Boundary

The agreed limits to the lands of an invidivudal or people. Designated by God and protected by law, both national and local boundaries could be subject to dispute.

The importance of boundary marks

Deuteronomy 19:14; Proverbs 23:10 See also Deuteronomy 27:17; Proverbs 22:28

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.

Do not move an ancient boundary stone or encroach on the fields of the fatherless,

Examples of significant boundaries

Boundaries of the promised land

Exodus 23:31; 1 Kings 4:21 See also Numbers 34:1–12; Deuteronomy 3:12–17; Joshua 13:1–33, Joshua 15:1–63, Joshua 16:1–10, Joshua 17:1–18, Joshua 18:11–28, Joshua 19:1–48; Isaiah 26:15; Ezekiel 47:15–20, Ezekiel 48:1–8

And I will establish your borders from the Red Sea to the Sea of the Philistines, and from the desert to the Euphrates. For I will deliver the inhabitants into your hand, and you will drive them out before you.

And Solomon reigned over all the kingdoms from the Euphrates to the land of the Philistines, as far as the border of Egypt. These kingdoms offered tribute and served Solomon all the days of his life.

Boundaries of other nations

Acts 17:26 See also Genesis 10:18–19; Numbers 21:13, Numbers 33:37, Numbers 33:44; Deuteronomy 32:8; Joshua 12:2–5; Judges 1:36, Judges 11:18; Ezekiel 29:10

From one man He made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and He determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their lands.

City boundaries

Numbers 35:26

Religious boundaries

Exodus 19:12 See also Exodus 19:23

And you are to set up a boundary for the people around the mountain and tell them, ‘Be careful not to go up on the mountain or touch its base. Whoever touches the mountain shall surely be put to death.

Boundary problems and disputes

Job 24:2 See also Joshua 22:25; Hosea 5:10; Amos 1:13; Micah 5:6

Men move boundary stones; they pasture stolen flocks.

God establishes other boundaries

Job 26:10 See also Job 38:9–11; Psalm 104:9; Proverbs 8:29; Jeremiah 5:22

He has inscribed a horizon on the face of the waters at the boundary between light and darkness.

Metaphorical boundaries

Psalm 16:6

The lines of my boundary have fallen in pleasant places; surely my inheritance is delightful.