Job 24:4
Job 24:4 in Multiple Translations
They push the needy off the road and force all the poor of the land into hiding.
They turn the needy out of the way: the poor of the earth hide themselves together.
They turn the needy out of the way: The poor of the earth all hide themselves.
The crushed are turned out of the way; all the poor of the earth go into a secret place together.
They push the poor out of their way; the destitute are forced to hide from them.
They make the poore to turne out of the way, so that the poore of the earth hide themselues together.
They turn aside the needy from the way, Together have hid the poor of the earth.
They turn the needy out of the way. The poor of the earth all hide themselves.
They turn the needy out of the way: the poor of the earth hide themselves together.
They have overturned the way of the poor, and have oppressed together the meek of the earth.
Some shove poor people off the road (OR, prevent poor people from ◄obtaining their rights/being treated justly►), and they force poor people to find places to hide from them.
Berean Amplified Bible — Job 24:4
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 24:4 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
יַטּ֣וּ
אֶבְיוֹנִ֣ים
מִ/דָּ֑רֶךְ
יַ֥חַד
חֻ֝בְּא֗וּ
עֲנִיֵּי
אָֽרֶץ
יַטּ֣וּ
nâṭâh
H5186
to stretch
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3mp
אֶבְיוֹנִ֣ים
ʼebyôwn
H34
needy
Adj
מִ/דָּ֑רֶךְ
derek
H1870
way
Prep | N-cs
יַ֥חַד
yachad
H3162
unitedness
Adv
חֻ֝בְּא֗וּ
châbâʼ
H2244
to hide
V-Pual-Perf-3cp
עֲנִיֵּי
ʻânâv
H6035
poor
Adj
אָֽרֶץ
ʼerets
H776
land
N-cs
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Job 24:4
יַטּ֣וּ
nâṭâh
H5186
"to stretch"
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3mp
To stretch or spread out, often used to describe physical movement, but also moral deflection, as seen in the story of Israel's decline in the book of Judges.
Definition: 1) to stretch out, extend, spread out, pitch, turn, pervert, incline, bend, bow 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to stretch out, extend, stretch, offer 1a2) to spread out, pitch (tent) 1a3) to bend, turn, incline 1a3a) to turn aside, incline, decline, bend down 1a3b) to bend, bow 1a3c) to hold out, extend (fig.) 1b) (Niphal) to be stretched out 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to stretch out 1c2) to spread out 1c3) to turn, incline, influence, bend down, hold out, extend, thrust aside, thrust away
Usage: Occurs in 207 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afternoon, apply, bow (down, -ing), carry aside, decline, deliver, extend, go down, be gone, incline, intend, lay, let down, offer, outstretched, overthrown, pervert, pitch, prolong, put away, shew, spread (out), stretch (forth, out), take (aside), turn (aside, away), wrest, cause to yield. See also: Genesis 12:8; Psalms 31:3; Psalms 17:6.
אֶבְיוֹנִ֣ים
ʼebyôwn
H34
"needy"
Adj
This Hebrew word describes someone who is needy or poor, often oppressed and in need of help from God. It appears in the Bible to describe those who are vulnerable and in need of deliverance. In the KJV, it is translated as beggar, needy, or poor man.
Definition: 1) in want, needy, chiefly poor, needy person 2) subject to oppression and abuse 3) needing help, deliverance from trouble, especially as delivered by God 4) general reference to lowest class
Usage: Occurs in 58 OT verses. KJV: beggar, needy, poor (man). See also: Exodus 23:6; Psalms 107:41; Psalms 9:19.
מִ/דָּ֑רֶךְ
derek
H1870
"way"
Prep | N-cs
Derek refers to a road or path, and can also mean a way of life or manner of action. It is often used to describe a journey or direction, and can be used figuratively to describe a person's character or moral path.
Definition: : road/route 1) way, road, distance, journey, manner 1a) road, way, path 1b) journey 1c) direction 1d) manner, habit, way 1e) of course of life (fig.) 1f) of moral character (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 626 OT verses. KJV: along, away, because of, [phrase] by, conversation, custom, (east-) ward, journey, manner, passenger, through, toward, (high-) (path-) way(-side), whither(-soever). See also: Genesis 3:24; Deuteronomy 28:29; 1 Kings 15:34.
יַ֥חַד
yachad
H3162
"unitedness"
Adv
This adverb means together, describing people doing something in unity, like in Psalm 133:1.
Definition: 1) union, unitedness
Usage: Occurs in 139 OT verses. KJV: alike, at all (once), both, likewise, only, (al-) together, withal. See also: Genesis 13:6; Psalms 62:10; Psalms 2:2.
חֻ֝בְּא֗וּ
châbâʼ
H2244
"to hide"
V-Pual-Perf-3cp
To hide means to secrete or withdraw, often for safety or protection. In the Bible, this word is used to describe hiding oneself or being forced into hiding. It appears in various forms, including to hide oneself or to be hidden by someone else.
Definition: 1) to withdraw, hide 1a) (Niphal) to hide oneself 1b) (Pual) to be forced into hiding 1c) (Hiphil) to hide 1d) (Hophal) to be hidden 1e) (Hithpael) 1e1) to hide oneself, draw back 1e2) to draw together, thicken, harden
Usage: Occurs in 33 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] held, hide (self), do secretly. See also: Genesis 3:8; 1 Kings 18:4; Isaiah 42:22.
עֲנִיֵּי
ʻânâv
H6035
"poor"
Adj
To be poor or humble, often describing someone who is meek or weak. In the Bible, it can also mean to be afflicted or lowly, as seen in Matthew 5:5.
Definition: 1) poor, humble, afflicted, meek 1a) poor, needy 1b) poor and weak 1c) poor, weak and afflicted 1d) humble, lowly, meek
Usage: Occurs in 24 OT verses. KJV: humble, lowly, meek, poor. Compare H6041 (עָנִי). See also: Numbers 12:3; Psalms 147:6; Psalms 9:13.
אָֽרֶץ
ʼerets
H776
"land"
N-cs
The land or earth refers to the soil or ground, and can also mean a country, territory, or region. In the Bible, it is used to describe the earth and its inhabitants, and is often translated as 'land' or 'country'.
Definition: : soil 1) land, earth 1a) earth 1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part) 1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven) 1a3) earth (inhabitants) 1b) land 1b1) country, territory 1b2) district, region 1b3) tribal territory 1b4) piece of ground 1b5) land of Canaan, Israel 1b6) inhabitants of land 1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world 1b8) city (-state) 1c) ground, surface of the earth 1c1) ground 1c2) soil 1d) (in phrases) 1d1) people of the land 1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance) 1d3) level or plain country 1d4) land of the living 1d5) end(s) of the earth 1e) (almost wholly late in usage) 1e1) lands, countries 1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan
Usage: Occurs in 2190 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 18:18; Genesis 42:13.
Study Notes — Job 24:4
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Job 24:4 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Job 24:4
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 24:4
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 24:4
- Trapp's Commentary on Job 24:4
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 24:4
- Cambridge Bible on Job 24:4
- Barnes' Notes on Job 24:4
- Whedon's Commentary on Job 24:4
- Sermons on Job 24:4
Context — Job: Judgment for the Wicked
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. 6They gather fodder in the fields and glean the vineyards of the wicked.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 28:28 | When the wicked come to power, people hide themselves; but when they perish, the righteous flourish. |
| 2 | Job 24:14 | When daylight is gone, the murderer rises to kill the poor and needy; in the night he is like a thief. |
| 3 | Ezekiel 22:29 | The people of the land have practiced extortion and committed robbery. They have oppressed the poor and needy and have exploited the foreign resident without justice. |
| 4 | Amos 2:7 | They trample on the heads of the poor as on the dust of the earth; they push the needy out of their way. A man and his father have relations with the same girl and so profane My holy name. |
| 5 | Job 29:12 | because I rescued the poor who cried out and the fatherless who had no helper. |
| 6 | Psalms 109:16 | For he never thought to show kindness, but pursued the poor and needy and brokenhearted, even to their death. |
| 7 | Amos 8:4–6 | Hear this, you who trample the needy, who do away with the poor of the land, asking, “When will the New Moon be over, that we may sell grain? When will the Sabbath end, that we may market wheat? Let us reduce the ephah and increase the shekel; let us cheat with dishonest scales. Let us buy the poor with silver and the needy for a pair of sandals, selling even the chaff with the wheat!” |
| 8 | Psalms 41:1 | Blessed is the one who cares for the poor; the LORD will deliver him in the day of trouble. |
| 9 | Ezekiel 18:12 | He oppresses the poor and needy; he commits robbery and does not restore a pledge. He lifts his eyes to idols; he commits abominations. |
| 10 | Proverbs 22:16 | Oppressing the poor to enrich oneself or giving gifts to the rich will surely lead to poverty. |
Job 24:4 Summary
This verse is talking about how some people treat others who are poor or in need. They push them aside and make them hide, instead of helping them. This is not how God wants us to treat each other, as we see in Leviticus 19:18, where we are commanded to love our neighbors as ourselves. We should care for those in need and make sure they have what they need to survive, just as God cares for us and provides for our needs, as promised in Matthew 6:26.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to 'push the needy off the road' in Job 24:4?
This phrase means to force those in need to the side, ignoring their plight and denying them access to resources, much like the Israelites were commanded not to do in Leviticus 19:9-10, where they were instructed to leave gleanings for the poor and the stranger.
How does this verse relate to modern-day treatment of the poor?
This verse serves as a reminder of our responsibility to care for the poor and vulnerable, as emphasized in Proverbs 31:8-9, where we are commanded to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves and to defend the rights of the afflicted.
What is the consequence of forcing the poor into hiding?
Forcing the poor into hiding can lead to further oppression and marginalization, as seen in Isaiah 10:1-3, where the prophet condemns those who enact unjust laws and deprive the poor of their rights.
How can we apply this verse to our own lives?
We can apply this verse by being mindful of our treatment of those in need and making a conscious effort to care for and advocate for the poor, as encouraged in Galatians 2:10, where we are reminded to remember the poor, just as the apostles had instructed the church in Antioch.
Reflection Questions
- How do I respond to the needs of those around me, and am I guilty of 'pushing the needy off the road' in my own life?
- What are some ways I can actively care for and advocate for the poor in my community?
- In what ways can I use my resources and influence to defend the rights of the afflicted and speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves?
- How can I balance my own needs and desires with the needs of those around me, and what does it mean to 'love my neighbor as myself' in this context, as commanded in Mark 12:31?
Gill's Exposition on Job 24:4
They turn the needy out of the way,.... Either, in a moral sense, out of the right way, the way of righteousness and truth, by their bad examples, or by their threatenings or flatteries; or, in a
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 24:4
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 24:4
Out of the way; either, 1. Out of the way of piety and justice. They engage them to take evil courses by their examples, or promises, or threatenings. Or, 2. Out of their right. Or, 3. Out of their course and way of living. Or rather, (as the word properly signifies, and as the next clause explains it,) out of the high-way; out of the path or place in which these wicked oppressors walk and range. They labour to keep out of their way and sight for fear of their further injuries and oppressions. Hide themselves, for fear of these wicked tyrants and persecutors.
Together, for their mutual comfort and defence against those who should invade or disturb them there. Or, alike. Though some of the poor are more nearly related, or have been more serviceable to these oppressors, yet none of them can escape their rage and violence.
Trapp's Commentary on Job 24:4
Job 24:4 They turn the needy out of the way: the poor of the earth hide themselves together.Ver. 4. They turn the needy out of the way] Either to make room for themselves, as the only men. Stand back, say the Sodomites to Lot, Genesis 19:9. Stand further off, say those in Isaiah. See Proverbs 30:14 Amos 8:4. Or else, because when these spoilers are abroad, they beset the ways, and no travellers, be they never so poor and needy, can pass freely by them (Beza); insomuch that they are constrained to leave the broad beaten way, and everywhere to seek out by ways and unknown passages, to escape their hands. And the poor of the earth hide themselves together] Lest after their cattle driven away, as before, themselves, ut mancipia nexa, as slaves linked together (Junius), should be taken and carried away by them to such base offices, as are mentioned in the next verses. Tyrants are looked upon as so many comets or tempests. Attilas styleth himself, Dei flagellum, et orbis vastitatem, The scourge in God’ s hand, and the world’ s waste good; he arrogantly said, that the stars fell before him, the earth shook under him, and that he would make the inhabitants thereof wriggle into corners, as worms do into their holes when once it thundereth. We know who they were (even those worthies of whom the world was not worthy) who, hunted as partridges by their cruel persecutors, and driven out from house and home, wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth, Hebrews 11:38, where they found the wild beasts were more mild and merciful to them than those hard hearted tyrants.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 24:4
Verse 4. They turn the needy out of the way] They will not permit them to go by the accustomed paths; they oblige them to take circuitous routes. When the Marquis of H. was made ranger of Richmond Park, he thought it his duty to shut up a pathway which had existed for a long time; and those who presumed, after this shutting up, to break the fence, and take that path as formerly, were prosecuted. A cobbler near the place entered an action against the marquis: the cause was tried, the marquis cast, and the path ordered to be opened, on the ground that it had, time out of mind, been a public undisputed path. When one asked the cobbler, "How he could have the boldness to go to law with the Marquis of H.?" he answered, "Because I did not like to leave the world worse than I found it." All tolerated oppression and voluntary forfeiture of ancient rights, are injurious to society at large, and they who wink at them leave the world worse than they found it.
Cambridge Bible on Job 24:4
4. “Turning the needy out of the way” is a general expression for doing them wrong, hindering them of their just rights; comp. Amos 5:12. The last clause “the poor hide themselves together” seems to sum up the general effect of the preceding wrongs. The poor, violently dispossessed of what belonged to them, or stripped through forms of law little different from violence (“for a pledge,” Job 24:3), and deprived of their fields, are forced to hide themselves away from men, among whom they had formerly lived in respect, and huddle together in obscure haunts.
Barnes' Notes on Job 24:4
They turn the needy out of the way - They crowd the poor out of the path, and thus oppress and injure them. They do not allow them the advantages of the highway.
Whedon's Commentary on Job 24:4
4. Out of the way — To which all had equal rights. “Perhaps equivalent to our phrase, ‘kick out of the way.’” — Dillmann.
Sermons on Job 24:4
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Epistle 176 by George Fox | George Fox emphasizes the importance of ministers being examples in wisdom, patience, righteousness, holiness, and godliness, urging them to avoid vain, youthful ways and quarrels |
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What Is Prophetic? - Part 1 by Art Katz | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of being prepared to preach the word of God. He reflects on the example of Moses and the depth of God's dealing with him durin |
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(The Lord - Merciful and Gracious) 2. Man- Poor and Needy by Roy Hession | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the plight of being poor and needy in this world. He explains that those who are in such a condition have a special appeal to the merciful a |
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The Poor of the Land and the Pride of Jacob by John Piper | John Piper preaches on the message of Amos, a shepherd turned prophet, who delivered a warning of coming judgment upon the northern kingdom of Israel. Despite Amos' faithful procla |
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Don't Forget by William Booth | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of actively helping those in need, rather than simply offering prayers or advice. The speaker encourages the audience to take |
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Escaping the Theology of Babylon by Carter Conlon | In this sermon, the pastor emphasizes the importance of considering the poor and disadvantaged in society. He highlights Psalm 41, which states that those who consider the poor wil |
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Preparing to Stand in the Coming Storm by Carter Conlon | This sermon emphasizes the importance of preparing to stand in the coming storm by focusing on red letter words directly from Jesus in Matthew chapter 7. It highlights the need to |