Job 24 13

Job 24:13 kjv

They are of those that rebel against the light; they know not the ways thereof, nor abide in the paths thereof.

Job 24:13 nkjv

"There are those who rebel against the light; They do not know its ways Nor abide in its paths.

Job 24:13 niv

"There are those who rebel against the light, who do not know its ways or stay in its paths.

Job 24:13 esv

"There are those who rebel against the light, who are not acquainted with its ways, and do not stay in its paths.

Job 24:13 nlt

"Wicked people rebel against the light.
They refuse to acknowledge its ways
or stay in its paths.

Job 24 verses

Job 24 13 Meaning

Job 24:13 asserts Job's perspective on a category of individuals whom he describes as profoundly wicked. These are not merely ignorant or misled but actively resistant to moral truth and divine guidance. They fundamentally reject the principles of righteousness, deliberately choosing a course of action contrary to the "light," which represents truth, wisdom, and God's revealed will. Their conduct demonstrates a willful refusal to acknowledge and remain within God's righteous standards.

Job 24 13 Context

This verse is part of Job’s extended response (chapters 24-26) to his friends’ claims that suffering is always a direct result of personal sin. Job argues that, contrary to this conventional wisdom, many wicked people seem to escape justice in this life, enjoying prosperity while the righteous often suffer. Chapter 24 specifically details various forms of oppression and injustice carried out by the wicked: moving boundary stones, stealing animals, abusing the poor and vulnerable, engaging in thievery and harlotry. Verse 13 encapsulates the underlying moral posture of these wicked individuals, presenting their actions not as accidental transgressions, but as a deliberate and foundational rebellion against divine truth and ethical order. Job is articulating his bewilderment that those with such a morally perverse core often evade earthly judgment.

Job 24 13 Word analysis

• They are of those that rebel: The Hebrew word for "rebel" is מָרַד (marad), which implies a deliberate, conscious act of revolt or defiance. This is not passive ignorance but an active stance against. It points to an intentional breaking away from an authority or established norm.
• against the light: The Hebrew word אוֹר (’ōwr) for "light" is rich in biblical symbolism. Beyond physical illumination, it consistently represents truth, righteousness, knowledge, divine revelation, moral clarity, and even the very presence of God (Psa 27:1). Thus, "rebellion against the light" means rejecting truth, wisdom, and the moral order that God has established and made evident.
• they know not: The Hebrew יָדַע (yāḏa‘) for "know" encompasses more than intellectual acquaintance; it suggests an intimate, experiential knowledge, often implying relationship or acknowledgement. When paired with לֹא (lō’, "not"), it denotes a refusal to acknowledge, perceive, or establish a relationship with what they could know. It is often willful ignorance or disavowal rather than mere unfamiliarity.
• the ways thereof: The Hebrew דֶּרֶךְ (dereḵ), meaning "way" or "road," refers to a course of conduct, a lifestyle, or God's appointed statutes and moral principles. The "thereof" points back to the "light," meaning the ways consistent with truth and righteousness.
• nor abide in: The Hebrew יָשַׁב (yāšaḇ) means to "sit," "dwell," or "remain." When negated, "nor abide in" signifies a refusal to settle into, dwell consistently within, or firmly adhere to these paths. It denotes a deliberate departure from stability in righteous living.
• the paths thereof: The Hebrew נְתִיבָה (nāṯiḇ), typically meaning "path" or "track," often used synonymously or complementarily with דֶּרֶךְ (way). Together, "ways" and "paths" comprehensively denote the entire sphere of righteous conduct, ethical norms, and divine ordinances. The repetition emphasizes the total rejection.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "They are of those that rebel against the light": This phrase characterizes the wicked by their core spiritual disposition. Their wickedness stems not from a mere lack of understanding but from an active and hostile opposition to moral and divine truth. This opposition is a choice.
• "they know not the ways thereof": This amplifies the nature of their rebellion. Their "not knowing" is a deliberate turning away from knowledge, an unwillingness to acknowledge or intimately engage with the righteous standards that flow from the "light." It suggests a suppression of innate or revealed moral understanding.
• "nor abide in the paths thereof": This highlights the practical outworking of their rebellion. Their actions are consistent with their chosen moral stance. They refuse to walk in or dwell continuously in the courses of action aligned with truth and righteousness, cementing their status as those who are deeply entrenched in darkness. These three phrases collectively paint a picture of comprehensive moral defection—a rebellion of will, a suppression of knowledge, and a refusal of righteous practice.

Job 24 13 Bonus section

The profound spiritual choice described in Job 24:13—rebellion against the light—lays a conceptual groundwork found throughout the biblical narrative, culminating in the New Testament. It establishes that moral depravity is often not merely a default state, but a wilful, conscious decision to oppose known truth. This choice implies culpability, regardless of outward success. The "light" metaphor becomes highly significant in Christology, where Jesus identifies Himself as "the light of the world" (Jn 8:12, Jn 9:5), suggesting that ultimate rebellion against "the light" means rejecting Him and His teachings. This verse, therefore, implicitly sets a spiritual standard by which human actions and internal dispositions are judged, foreshadowing the clear ethical and spiritual distinctions found in later Scripture between those who embrace light and those who prefer darkness.

Job 24 13 Commentary

Job 24:13 provides profound insight into the spiritual state of the unrighteous from Job’s perspective. It describes a wickedness rooted not in ignorance alone, but in an active, chosen rebellion against truth, wisdom, and God's moral order, collectively termed "the light." These individuals deliberately suppress understanding ("they know not its ways") and actively refuse to follow established divine guidelines ("nor abide in its paths"). The "light" here is all-encompassing, encompassing divine wisdom, the revealed will of God, and the clear distinction between good and evil. The wicked person, as Job describes, is one who looks at the light and intentionally turns away, choosing moral obscurity and transgression. Job's observation highlights a tragic reality that some freely choose a path of darkness despite truth being accessible, leading to actions that consistently oppress the vulnerable.

• Example: A leader who sees clearly the ethical responsibilities of their position but consciously makes decisions that exploit others for personal gain.
• Example: One who understands basic moral principles (like not to lie or steal) but chooses habitually to defraud others.