Land-Mark

(גְּבוּל, gebul', or גְּבוּלָה, gebulah', usually rendered "border" or "coast"), a boundary-line as indicated by a stake, stone, or other monument (Deuteronomy 19:14; Deuteronomy 27:17; Proverbs 22:28; Proverbs 23:10; Job 24:2). It was the manifest intention of Jehovah, in bringing the Hebrews into Canaan, to make them a nation of agriculturists. For this purpose the land was divided by lot and measurement among the tribes, families, and individuals of the nation. Thus every citizen had allotted to him a piece of ground, which he was to cultivate and leave to his descendants. The importance of preserving accurately the boundaries of individual or family possessions is very obvious, and, to prevent mistakes and litigation, the fields were marked off by stones set up on the limits, which could not be removed withr out incurring the wrath of heaven. The custom had doubtless prevailed long before (Job 24:2), it was thus confirmed by express statute (Deuteronomy 19:14; Deuteronomy 27:17), and it appears to have been strictly perpetuated in later times (Proverbs 22:28; Proverbs 23:10). Similar precautions were in use among the Romans, who had images or posts, called Herma or termini, set up on the line between different owners, which were under the patronage of a deity especially designated for that care (see Smith's Dict. of Greek and Roman Biog. s.v. Terminus). Landmarks were used in Greece even before the age of Homer (Iliad, 21:405); and they are still used in Persia, and in various parts of the East. Even to this day fields in the East have no fences or hedges, but a ridge, a stone, or a post occasionally marks the boundary; consequently, it is not very difficult to encroach on the property of another (see Hackett, Illustra. of Script. page 167). (See HEDGE).