Job 24 11

Job 24:11 kjv

Which make oil within their walls, and tread their winepresses, and suffer thirst.

Job 24:11 nkjv

They press out oil within their walls, And tread winepresses, yet suffer thirst.

Job 24:11 niv

They crush olives among the terraces; they tread the winepresses, yet suffer thirst.

Job 24:11 esv

among the olive rows of the wicked they make oil; they tread the winepresses, but suffer thirst.

Job 24:11 nlt

They press out olive oil without being allowed to taste it,
and they tread in the winepress as they suffer from thirst.

Job 24 verses

Job 24 11 Meaning

Job 24:11 describes a profound injustice where the poor are compelled to perform grueling labor in the production of valuable commodities, yet are denied access to basic necessities, even suffering thirst. It illustrates the paradox of those who create abundance for others through their sweat and toil, while themselves remaining in a state of severe deprivation, highlighting the moral outrage of systemic exploitation by the wicked, who, according to Job, seemingly prosper unpunished.

Job 24 11 Context

Job 24:11 is part of Job's sustained argument against the conventional wisdom of his friends, who rigidly assert that suffering is a direct consequence of sin. In this chapter, Job describes various forms of blatant social injustice and wickedness committed by human beings (e.g., moving boundary markers, stealing flocks, robbing the fatherless), yet questions why God does not visibly and immediately intervene to punish these evildoers. The verse specifically details the cruel exploitation of laborers, showing that despite their exhaustive work in producing oil and wine, they remain in extreme deprivation, suffering thirst and lacking basic sustenance. This situation directly contradicts the simplistic theological framework of Job's friends and fuels Job's desperate cry concerning the apparent prosperity of the wicked and the prolonged suffering of the righteous, challenging God's immediate moral governance of the world. Historically, in the ancient Near East, olive oil and wine were essential commodities and primary sources of sustenance and trade, making the exploitation of agricultural laborers in these industries particularly severe. Job's depiction draws upon a common social problem, reflecting contemporary concerns about economic exploitation and legal protections for the vulnerable in that society.

Job 24 11 Word analysis

• Among the olive rows (מִשּׁוּרוֹתָם יַצִּיאוּ, Mishshurotam yattzihu):
  • `שׁוּרוֹתָם (shurotam)`: From `שור (shur)`, meaning "row" or "line," with a possessive suffix "their." Refers to the neat lines of olive trees.
  • `יַצִּיאוּ (yattzihu)`: From `יָצָא (yatsa')`, "to go out," in the Hiphil stem, meaning "to cause to go out," "to bring forth," or "to extract."
  • Significance: This phrase paints a specific scene of strenuous agricultural labor—the extraction of oil from olives. "Their" here likely refers to the places where the poor toil, under the direction of the wealthy landowners. It highlights the direct, productive contribution of the laborers to the economic system.
• they press out oil (יַצִּיאוּ, yattzihu):
  • See above under "Among the olive rows."
  • Significance: This verb specifies the intense, physical effort involved in the process of extracting oil from olives, often by crushing them underfoot or using primitive presses. It speaks of the hard-earned wealth produced by the laborers.
• they tread the winepresses (יֶקֶב יִדְרְכוּ, Yekev yiḏreḵu):
  • `יֶקֶב (yeḳev)`: Meaning "winepress." This was typically a two-tiered system of vats for stomping grapes and collecting the juice.
  • `יִדְרְכוּ (yiḏreḵu)`: From `דָּרַךְ (darakh)`, "to tread" or "to walk," specifically used for treading grapes.
  • Significance: This describes another form of physically demanding agricultural labor, common in ancient Israel. Treading grapes was a messy and laborious task. The juxtaposition with "pressing out oil" establishes a dual example of their toil in key ancient agricultural industries.
• yet suffer thirst (וְצָמֵא יִשּׁוֹאֵף, Vetzame' yishsha'ef):
  • `וְ (v)`: "and," but here serving as an adversative "yet" or "but."
  • `צָמֵא (tzame')`: An adjective meaning "thirsty."
  • `יִשּׁוֹאֵף (yishsha'ef)`: From `שָׁאַף (sha'af)`, "to pant," "to gasp," "to crave," or "to swallow."
  • Significance: This is the shocking core of the verse. Despite being involved in the production of liquids (oil, wine) which were often mixed with water or consumed for refreshment, these laborers themselves are denied even water or remain in a state of deprivation. The verb `sha'af` suggests a desperate longing or a gasping for air, emphasizing the severe nature of their thirst—a thirst not only for water but metaphorically for justice and dignity, which is withheld while they create abundance for others. It powerfully portrays utter lack in the midst of plenty.

• "Among the olive rows they press out oil; they tread the winepresses": This phrase establishes the intensive physical labor undertaken by the poor in producing staple goods like olive oil and wine. It details their direct contribution to the economic well-being of the wicked, showcasing their industriousness and vital role in society's sustenance.
• "yet suffer thirst": This sharp contrast is the essence of Job's grievance. It highlights the profound injustice where those who generate abundance for others are themselves deprived of basic necessities. It signifies not merely a lack of water but a comprehensive state of want and a denial of their rightful share in the prosperity their labor creates. This ethical inversion is the source of Job's perplexity and complaint regarding divine justice.

Job 24 11 Bonus section

• The commodities of oil and wine in the biblical context often symbolized blessing, prosperity, and celebration. The ironical deprivation of the laborer from these very symbols deepens the tragic impact of the verse.
• Job 24 is part of a longer theological discourse. Job is not questioning God's existence or power, but rather His timing and method of justice, expressing the profound intellectual and emotional struggle of the suffering righteous.
• The Hebrew verb for "suffer thirst" (יִשּׁוֹאֵף) often carries connotations of panting or gasping, indicating a desperate, consuming desire or extreme distress, which intensifies the picture of their affliction.
• The passage highlights a core tension in the book of Job: the observed reality of wicked prosperity versus the assumed theological principle of immediate divine justice for all. This tension forms the bedrock of Job's passionate complaint.

Job 24 11 Commentary

Job 24:11 serves as a stark indictment of social injustice prevalent in Job's time, and implicitly, in any society where the vulnerable are exploited. It is a powerful illustration of the cruel irony faced by the impoverished: forced to expend their strength in physically demanding agricultural tasks—extracting olive oil and treading grapes for wine—yet themselves denied basic provisions, symbolized by "suffering thirst." This verse highlights the profound moral paradox that the producers of wealth are simultaneously impoverished, emphasizing their complete alienation from the fruits of their own labor. Job uses this vivid imagery to underscore his ongoing theological struggle: Why does God permit such blatant and systemic wickedness to flourish seemingly unchecked on earth, while the righteous and hardworking are left to suffer in destitution? The verse challenges simplistic notions of immediate divine retribution and draws attention to the agonizing reality of suffering that does not align with one's moral conduct.

Practical Usage Examples:

• Awareness: It prompts reflection on modern forms of exploitation in global supply chains, where laborers might produce goods they can never afford or under conditions that deny them basic human dignity and fair compensation.
• Advocacy: It serves as a call for Christians to advocate for justice, fair labor practices, and the equitable distribution of resources, reflecting God's heart for the oppressed.
• Spiritual Hunger: Metaphorically, it speaks to spiritual thirst amidst spiritual plenty; individuals surrounded by God's truth or Christian community yet remain unfulfilled due to spiritual or emotional neglect, either by themselves or others.