Remove not the old landmark; and enter not into the fields of the fatherless:
The verse forbids shifting long-established property boundaries to enlarge one's own holding at another's expense. It also forbids going into the fields belonging to the fatherless in order to take possession of their land. Together the two prohibitions make encroachment on settled ownership and seizure of an orphan's inheritance a direct violation of divine instruction.
The prohibition singles out fatherless landowners as vulnerable to exploitation and requires just dealing toward them instead of advantage-taking. That protection is grounded in the assurance that their Redeemer is mighty and will plead their cause against the oppressor. Respect for property rights and upright conduct toward the fatherless in this way safeguards social trust and cooperation.
The verse forbids shifting long-established property boundaries to enlarge one's own holding at another's expense. It also forbids going into the fields belonging to the fatherless in order to take possession of their land. Together the two prohibitions make encroachment on settled ownership and seizure of an orphan's inheritance a direct violation of divine instruction.
The prohibition singles out fatherless landowners as vulnerable to exploitation and requires just dealing toward them instead of advantage-taking. That protection is grounded in the assurance that their Redeemer is mighty and will plead their cause against the oppressor. Respect for property rights and upright conduct toward the fatherless in this way safeguards social trust and cooperation.