Job 24:3
Job 24:3 in Multiple Translations
They drive away the donkey of the fatherless and take the widow’s ox in pledge.
They drive away the ass of the fatherless, they take the widow’s ox for a pledge.
They drive away the ass of the fatherless; They take the widow’s ox for a pledge.
They send away the ass of him who has no father, they take the widow's ox for debt.
They steal the orphan's donkey; they take the widow's ox as security for a debt.
They leade away the asse of the fatherles: and take the widowes oxe to pledge.
The ass of the fatherless they lead away, They take in pledge the ox of the widow,
They drive away the donkey of the fatherless, and they take the widow’s ox for a pledge.
They drive away the ass of the fatherless, they take the widow's ox for a pledge.
They have driven away the ass of the fatherless, and have taken away the widow’s ox for a pledge.
Some ◄take away/steal► the donkeys that belong to orphans, and they take widow’s oxen to guarantee that the widows will pay back the money that they loaned to those widows.
Berean Amplified Bible — Job 24:3
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Job 24:3 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
חֲמ֣וֹר
יְתוֹמִ֣ים
יִנְהָ֑גוּ
יַ֝חְבְּל֗וּ
שׁ֣וֹר
אַלְמָנָֽה
חֲמ֣וֹר
chămôwr
H2543
donkey
N-cs
יְתוֹמִ֣ים
yâthôwm
H3490
orphan
N-mp
יִנְהָ֑גוּ
nâhag
H5090
to lead
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
יַ֝חְבְּל֗וּ
châbal
H2254
to pledge
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
שׁ֣וֹר
shôwr
H7794
cattle
N-ms
אַלְמָנָֽה
ʼalmânâh
H490
widow
N-fs
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Job 24:3
חֲמ֣וֹר
chămôwr
H2543
"donkey"
N-cs
The Hebrew word for a male donkey, it is translated as he ass in the KJV Bible. The name comes from the animal's reddish-brown color.
Definition: (he) ass
Usage: Occurs in 93 OT verses. KJV: (he) ass. See also: Genesis 12:16; Judges 6:4; Proverbs 26:3.
יְתוֹמִ֣ים
yâthôwm
H3490
"orphan"
N-mp
This Hebrew word refers to an orphan or a child without a father, like in Exodus where God commands the Israelites to care for the fatherless.
Definition: an orphan, fatherless
Usage: Occurs in 42 OT verses. KJV: fatherless (child), orphan. See also: Exodus 22:21; Psalms 10:18; Psalms 10:14.
יִנְהָ֑גוּ
nâhag
H5090
"to lead"
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
To moan means to sigh or lament, like in Psalm 77:3 when the psalmist moaned in his sleepless night. It can also mean to lead or guide someone, like in 1 Samuel 25:42 when Abigail led her maids to follow David.
Definition: 1) to drive, lead, guide, conduct 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to drive, lead on, drive away, drive off 1a2) to behave itself (fig.) (of heart) 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to drive away, lead off 1b2) to lead on, guide, guide on 1b3) to cause to drive
Usage: Occurs in 31 OT verses. KJV: acquaint, bring (away), carry away, drive (away), lead (away, forth), (be) guide, lead (away, forth). See also: Genesis 31:18; 1 Chronicles 20:1; Psalms 48:15.
יַ֝חְבְּל֗וּ
châbal
H2254
"to pledge"
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
This verb means to be in labor or to twist in pain, like a woman giving birth. It can also mean to corrupt or destroy something. In the KJV, it is translated in various ways, including 'travail' or 'corrupt'.
Definition: 1) to bind 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to bind 2) to take a pledge, lay to pledge 2a) (Qal) to hold by a pledge, take in pledge, hold in pledge 2b) (Niphal) to give a pledge, become pledged
Usage: Occurs in 23 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, band, bring forth, (deal) corrupt(-ly), destroy, offend, lay to (take a) pledge, spoil, travail, [idiom] very, withhold. See also: Exodus 22:25; Proverbs 20:16; Psalms 7:15.
שׁ֣וֹר
shôwr
H7794
"cattle"
N-ms
This word refers to cattle, like oxen or bulls, used for work, food, or sacrifices, as seen in Genesis and Leviticus.
Definition: 1) ox, bull, a head of cattle 1a) for plowing, for food, as sacrifice Aramaic equivalent: tor (תּוֹר "bullock" H8450)
Usage: Occurs in 69 OT verses. KJV: bull(-ock), cow, ox, wall (by mistake for H7791 (שׁוּר)). See also: Genesis 32:6; Deuteronomy 15:19; Psalms 69:32.
אַלְמָנָֽה
ʼalmânâh
H490
"widow"
N-fs
A widow is a woman whose husband has died, often left alone and vulnerable. The Bible teaches care and compassion for widows, as seen in the stories of Ruth and Naomi. God commands his people to look out for them.
Definition: widow
Usage: Occurs in 54 OT verses. KJV: desolate house (palace), widow. See also: Genesis 38:11; Job 29:13; Psalms 68:6.
Study Notes — Job 24:3
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Job 24:3 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Job 24:3
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 24:3
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 24:3
- Trapp's Commentary on Job 24:3
- Ellicott's Commentary on Job 24:3
- Cambridge Bible on Job 24:3
- Barnes' Notes on Job 24:3
- Sermons on Job 24:3
Context — Job: Judgment for the Wicked
1“Why does the Almighty not reserve times for judgment? Why may those who know Him never see His days?
2Men move boundary stones; they pasture stolen flocks.
3They drive away the donkey of the fatherless and take the widow’s ox in pledge.
4They push the needy off the road and force all the poor of the land into hiding. 5Indeed, like wild donkeys in the desert, the poor go to work foraging for food; the wasteland is food for their children.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deuteronomy 24:6 | Do not take a pair of millstones or even an upper millstone as security for a debt, because that would be taking one’s livelihood as security. |
| 2 | Deuteronomy 24:10–13 | When you lend anything to your neighbor, do not enter his house to collect security. You are to stand outside while the man to whom you are lending brings the security out to you. If he is a poor man, you must not go to sleep with the security in your possession; be sure to return it to him by sunset, so that he may sleep in his own cloak and bless you, and this will be credited to you as righteousness before the LORD your God. |
| 3 | 1 Samuel 12:3 | Here I am. Bear witness against me before the LORD and before His anointed: Whose ox or donkey have I taken? Whom have I cheated or oppressed? From whose hand have I accepted a bribe and closed my eyes? Tell me, and I will restore it to you.” |
| 4 | Deuteronomy 24:17–21 | Do not deny justice to the foreigner or the fatherless, and do not take a widow’s cloak as security. Remember that you were slaves in Egypt, and the LORD your God redeemed you from that place. Therefore I am commanding you to do this. If you are harvesting in your field and forget a sheaf there, do not go back to get it. It is to be left for the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow, so that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. When you beat the olives from your trees, you must not go over the branches again. What remains will be for the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow. When you gather the grapes of your vineyard, you must not go over the vines again. What remains will be for the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow. |
| 5 | Job 31:16–17 | If I have denied the desires of the poor or allowed the widow’s eyes to fail, if I have eaten my morsel alone, not sharing it with the fatherless— |
| 6 | Job 22:6–9 | For you needlessly demanded security from your brothers and deprived the naked of their clothing. You gave no water to the weary and withheld food from the famished, while the land belonged to a mighty man, and a man of honor lived on it. You sent widows away empty-handed, and the strength of the fatherless was crushed. |
Job 24:3 Summary
This verse is talking about people who are being very mean to those who are already struggling, like orphans and widows. They are taking away the things that these people need to survive, like their donkeys and oxen, which is very cruel. This is not what God wants us to do, as we see in Jeremiah 22:3, where God commands us to do justice and righteousness. Instead, we should be kind and generous, and help those in need, just as Jesus teaches in Matthew 25:31-46.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main issue Job is highlighting in this verse?
Job is highlighting the cruel treatment of the vulnerable, such as the fatherless and widows, by those in power, as seen in Job 24:3, where they take advantage of them for their own gain, reminiscent of the warnings in Exodus 22:22 and Deuteronomy 24:17.
How does this verse relate to God's character?
This verse shows that God is concerned about justice and the treatment of the poor and vulnerable, as seen in Psalm 68:5, where God is described as a father to the fatherless and a defender of the widows.
What is the significance of the donkey and ox in this verse?
The donkey and ox represent the livelihood and means of support for the fatherless and widows, respectively, and taking them away is a cruel act that leaves them without sustenance, highlighting the heartlessness of those in power, as warned against in Proverbs 28:3.
How can we apply this verse to our lives today?
We can apply this verse by being mindful of how our actions affect the vulnerable and taking steps to care for and protect them, as commanded in James 1:27, where we are called to look after orphans and widows in their distress.
Reflection Questions
- How can I be more aware of the needs of the vulnerable in my community and take steps to care for them?
- What are some ways I can use my resources to help those who are struggling, just as God commands in Deuteronomy 15:7-8?
- How can I stand up for justice and defend the rights of the poor and vulnerable, as Proverbs 31:8-9 encourages?
- What does this verse reveal about God's heart for the oppressed, and how can I reflect that heart in my own life?
Gill's Exposition on Job 24:3
They drive away the ass of the fatherless,.... Who are left destitute of friends, and have none to take care of them, and provide for them; and who having one ass to carry their goods for them from
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 24:3
Some remove the landmarks; they violently take away flocks, and feed thereof. Instances of the wicked doing the worst deeds with seeming impunity. Some - the wicked.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 24:3
The ass, either the asses, the singular number being used collectively. Or he saith the ass, to aggravate their sin, that they robbed him who had but one ass. Compare . The fatherless; whose helpless condition required their pity and mercy. The widow’ s ox; thereby depriving her not only of the ox itself, but of all the benefit of its labours, by which she sustained her life. For a pledge; contrary to God’ s law, first written in men’ s hearts, and afterwards in Holy Scripture, ,27 Deuteronomy 24:6,10, &c.
Trapp's Commentary on Job 24:3
Job 24:3 They drive away the ass of the fatherless, they take the widow’ s ox for a pledge.Ver. 3. They drive away the ass of the fatherless] The only ass of orphans, those helpless, shiftless creatures, so merciless are these abigei, which is no small aggravation of their injustice. For all sins are not equal, as the Stoics once held, but lighter or heavier according to their circumstances. To rob the rich is a great offence, but to pillage the poor is far greater. They take the widow’ s ox for a pledge] Without which she cannot plough; or, her cow, as some render it, without which she and her children cannot live. A poor body’ s livelihood is his life (as that poor widow’ s was ολοντονβιον, Mark 12:44, and the like is said of the haemorrhoisse, Luke 8:43), crush this snail in his shell, and you kill him. Now therefore albeit it be not unlawful to take a pledge for security in some cases; yet courtesy must be used, and mercy must be shown to orphans, widows, strangers, and such like, because they are God’ s clients, and he hath taken them into his special care and tuition.
Ellicott's Commentary on Job 24:3
(3) They drive away the ass.—The ass and the ox, the fatherless and the widow presumably having no more than one. He first describes the oppression of the country, and then that of the city (Job 24:12). We seem here to catch a glimpse of the sufferings of some oppressed and subject aboriginal race, such as the Canaanites may have been to the Jews, though there is probably no allusion to them. But, at all events, the writer and the speaker seem to have been familiar with some such abject and servile race, who haunted the desert and suffered at the hands of the more powerful tribes. Man’s inhumanity to man is, unhappily, a crime of very long standing.
Cambridge Bible on Job 24:3
3. By “the ass” and “the ox” is meant the single ass and ox which the fatherless and widow possess, needful for working their small field or affording them scanty nourishment. When deprived of these they are brought to complete destitution, and removed from the land.
Barnes' Notes on Job 24:3
They drive away the ass of the fatherless - Of the orphan, who cannot protect himself, and whose only property may consist in this useful animal.
Sermons on Job 24:3
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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(Reformers and Their Stepchildren) Kommunisten! - Part 2 by Leonard Verduin | Leonard Verduin discusses the economic principles and practices of the Anabaptist pioneers, highlighting their emphasis on communal sharing of resources to provide for those in nee |
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Book of Acts Series - Part 34 | the Miracle Called Giving by Jim Cymbala | In this sermon, the pastor emphasizes the importance of giving and helping the weak. He compares the spiritual law of giving to the physical law of gravity, stating that when we gi |
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Xxxii to John Gordon of Cardoness, the Elder by Samuel Rutherford | Samuel Rutherford addresses a difficult parishioner, urging him to focus on his salvation and not be distracted by earthly matters. He emphasizes the importance of casting burdens |
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2 Corinthians 11:13 by St. John Chrysostom | John Chrysostom preaches about false apostles who deceive by pretending to be true messengers of Christ, warning against those who seek to manipulate and exploit others for persona |
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Luke 14:12-14. Christ Advises His Host to Invite the Poor. by Favell Lee Mortimer | Favell Lee Mortimer preaches about the importance of hospitality and the true spirit behind inviting guests to feasts. He emphasizes the significance of inviting the poor and affli |