Job 24

Chap. XXIV. Ver. 1—25. Job returns to his former argument on the prosperity of the wicked.—‘‘The Book of Job pene [penes] Robinson, an ingenious writer) was written to free us from the folly of imagining that the present life is a state of rewards and punishments; and to inform us, that it is a state of trial and exercise, to prepare us for a future life. The precise inthere is nothing in all this inconsistent with the perfections of God: on the contrary, he bringeth good out of evil, and works virtue in the righteous by the vices of the wicked. Do the wicked “remove the landmark?” The act will provoke the equity of a good man to replace it. Do they rob the widow of her ox, and the fatherless of his ass?

The oppressions of the poor sufferers will excite feelings of sympathy, and flowings of generosity. ‘Why,’ says Job, “seeing times are not hidden from the Almighty, do they that know him not see his days?’ This opening may, perhaps, be rendered clearer by a short paraphrase. “Why, seeing times are not hidden;” that is, seeing none of the events or circumstances of time, or of the present state, “are hidden from the Almighty,” wherefore do not they that know him mark his days of visitation and retribution, and in particular the day of death, when the powerful and the wealthy, as well as the needy and the poor, shall be assigned to the tomb, to await the judgment of that day, “for which all other days were made.” Job now enumerates a long list of crimes and injuries which, in his age and country, were not unfrequent.

But the latter part of this chapter is considered, by the critics, as very obscure and difficult. Of some of the verses, therefore, we shall offer a new translation, and give the authorities in our notes. Speaking of the oppressor and the profligate, described in the preceding verses, Job says, (ver. 18.) “He floateth as a light thing upon the face of the waters: Their portion upon the land is accursed.” The character of such men seems here peculiarly referred to. It is light as the straw, or the bubble that floats upon the waves;—detested as the produce of soil laid under an anathema;—therefore “he seeth not the way of the vineyards;” that is, he liveth not to enjoy the general festivity. But, “As drought and heat consume the snow waters, So doth the grave (those which thus) have sinned.” These men, he observes, are “exalted (only) for a little while, and they are gone; and brought low, even to the grave;’ they are taken out of the way, as all other men, whether rich or poor, ‘‘and are cut off (by death) as the tops of the ears of corn”

(by the reapers;) and so are they sent to their reward. Thus is this imagery explained by our Lord himself, in one of his parables: ‘‘The harvest is the end of the world, and the reapers are the angels.” (Matthew 13:39). This chapter closes with a fresh challenge to Job’s opponents, to contradict, or to refute him.

Notes on the verses

Chap. XXIV. Ver. 1. See his days.—The original term here used, means more than merely to see; namely, to notice particularly, to mark. So (Psalms 11:4). “His eyes behold,” notice, observe, “and his eyelids try the children of men.” To mark the days of the Almighty, must refer to his days of retribution, the days wherein he holds his court (as it were) for judgment. See (Job 1:6).; ii. 1.: Ver. 2. Take away flocks and feed—May mean, either that they take the flocks with the pasture, which might be done by removing the landmarks, and on them. ¢ yecmeuing [meaning] that they were their own; or else, that they took the flocks to feed Ver. 4 They turn the needy out of the way.—That is, make them turn aside to make way for them; and even fly to hide themselves in caves and holes of the rocks, to save their lives.

That is, the poor, every one is master’s, Ver. 6. They reap.—See margin. Verses 5 and 6 should, or oppressor’s “field;” i.e. they labour for others only. perhaps, be considered as a parenthesis. Ver. 7. They (that turn the needy out of the way) cause the naked to lodge without clothing—Without their hyke, or blanket, which they take in pledge. See (Job 22:6). [Or, “Naked they lodge without clothing; and without a covering in the cold;”? one of the characteristics of the wandering Arabs, who are ill-fed, ill-clothed, and often miserably off for tents.]—Bagster. Ver. 1. Make oil within their walls.—That is, the walls which enclose their olive-yards. Or, as others read it, “They labour between their walls at noonday.”

The general meaning is, that though the poor prepare food for the rich, they enjoy neither corn, nor wine, nor oil, themselves. Ver. 12. God layeth not folly to them.—Dr. Good renders it, ‘God regardeth not the supplication:” i.e. he does not interfere as their judge, to punish them. The word rendered folly, means also prayer, or supplication. Ver. 13. They are of those that rebel against the light—By preferring to day, “because their deeds are evil.” (John 3:19). yes Ver. 15. Disgusteth his face.—See margin. (Or, “putteth a covering on his face;” probably the hood of the burnoose, or cloak, which the Arabs sometimes throw over their other garments.)—Bagster. Ver. 16. Dig through houses.—The houses of the East being generally built of clay, or soft bricks, are easily undermined.

Ver. 18. He is swift.—‘‘As a light thing.” Scott, Good, Boothroyd. Their portion.—There is a remarkable abruptness in the change of person in these verses, which appears harsh to us; but is not uncommon in the poetic books of Scripture. Ver. 21. He evil entreateth.—“He devoureth.” Scott, Boothroyd. The sense is, he injureth some, and doeth good to none. Ver. 22. He riseth up, and no man is sure of life.—Thus translated, the passage may apply to the assassin, ver. 14. and this agrees best with the preceding clause: see the margin; i.e. he is himself in continual fear: which may well apply to the same character. _ Ver. 23. Though it be given him to be in safety, &c.—Taking the words as in the text, the sense is, that notwithstanding any assurances of safety, his eyes are continually upon the watch.