Job 24 15

Job 24:15 kjv

The eye also of the adulterer waiteth for the twilight, saying, No eye shall see me: and disguiseth his face.

Job 24:15 nkjv

The eye of the adulterer waits for the twilight, Saying, 'No eye will see me'; And he disguises his face.

Job 24:15 niv

The eye of the adulterer watches for dusk; he thinks, 'No eye will see me,' and he keeps his face concealed.

Job 24:15 esv

The eye of the adulterer also waits for the twilight, saying, 'No eye will see me'; and he veils his face.

Job 24:15 nlt

The adulterer waits for the twilight,
saying, 'No one will see me then.'
He hides his face so no one will know him.

Job 24 verses

Job 24 15 Meaning

Job 24:15 describes the intentional actions of those who commit sin under the cover of darkness. It specifically highlights the adulterer who waits for the evening twilight, believing no human eye sees him, and covering his face to avoid recognition for his misdeeds. This portrays the sinner's reliance on physical concealment and their self-deception concerning divine observation.

Job 24 15 Context

Job 24:15 appears in Job’s fourth discourse (Chapters 21-26). In this section, Job continues to wrestle with the apparent injustice in the world, specifically challenging the traditional theological perspective of his friends (Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar) who insist that suffering is always a direct result of sin, and the wicked invariably face immediate punishment. Job argues that, contrary to their simplistic theology, the wicked often prosper and operate with impunity, performing their evil deeds without apparent consequence.

Job 24 focuses on the unpunished wickedness of oppressors, robbers, and other criminals. He observes that certain evil people "rebel against the light" (v. 13) and perform their acts under the cover of darkness. Verse 15 details the modus operandi of the adulterer, who actively seeks out the night for his illicit acts, convinced that no one sees him and that his identity remains hidden. This verse illustrates the depth of the wicked's deception and their calculated efforts to evade human detection, strengthening Job's lament that God, who supposedly sees all, does not intervene more visibly against these hidden wrongs.

Job 24 15 Word analysis

• וְעֵין֙ (və-ʿên): "and the eye" (from ʿayin - עַיִן). The Hebrew word ʿayin (eye) here denotes not just the physical organ of sight, but often implies intention, perception, or a covetous gaze. In the context of the adulterer, it suggests the lustful or scrutinizing eye that seeks out opportunity, aligning with a desire-driven pursuit. It contrasts sharply with God’s all-seeing eye.
• נוֹאֵ֔ף (nōwʾēp̄): "of the adulterer" (from nāʾap̄ - נָאַף). The participle signifies "one who habitually commits adultery" or "the adulterous one." Adultery was a severe sin in ancient Israel (Lev 20:10), punishable by death, due to its violation of covenant (both marital and divine), social order, and sanctity of the family unit.
• שָׁמְרָ֣ה (šā-mə-rāh): "she waits/watches/observes" (from šāmar - שָׁמַר). The verb "to watch, guard, observe" typically refers to careful attention. Here, the adulterer's "eye" (often personified, hence "she") actively and deliberately waits or watches for the opportune time. It denotes premeditation and calculated action rather than spontaneous impulse.
• נֶ֔שֶׁף (nešep̄): "twilight/darkness." This Hebrew term refers to the fading light between sunset and complete night. It is the liminal space, neither day nor night, offering maximum concealment. It’s symbolic of secrecy and evil, the perfect environment for hidden deeds.
• לֵאמֹ֑ר (lē-ʾmōr): "saying" or "thinking/believing." This construct often introduces direct speech but can also express an inner thought, belief, or intention. Here, it conveys the adulterer's confident, but false, assumption.
• לֹא־ (lōʾ): "no/not." A strong negative particle, reinforcing the sinner's absolute conviction in their invisibility.
• תְשׁוּרֶ֣נִּי (tə-šū-re-nî): "will see me" (from šûr - שׁוּר). From the verb "to behold, look, gaze upon." This term specifically means to "look at with intention," "observe." The adulterer believes no eye, specifically no human eye, will intently observe or discover him.
• עָ֔יִן (ʿā-yin): "an eye/any eye." Again, ʿayin emphasizing that not a single observer, no human being, will witness the act.
• וְסֵ֤תֶר (wə-sē-ṯer): "and a cover/hiding" (from seter - סֵתֶר). Seter refers to a hidden place, a secret, or a means of concealment. It highlights the active measures taken to avoid exposure.
• פָּנִים֙ (pā-nîm): "of face" (from pānim - פָּנִים). "To cover his face" refers to concealing his identity. In ancient contexts, the face was the primary identifier of a person. Covering it was a way to remain anonymous and avoid shame or legal consequences for the deed.
• יִהְיֶה־לּ֖וֹ (yih-yeh-lōw): "will be to him/will serve for him." Future tense, emphasizing the adulterer’s expectation of the outcome of his actions – anonymity and impunity.
• מֵידָֽע׃ (mê-yə-ḏāʿ): "from being known/from recognition" (from yāḏaʿ - יָדַע). Yādaʿ means "to know, understand, perceive." The sinner believes his concealed face will prevent him from being recognized or identified with the sin. He seeks to evade being known as the perpetrator.

Words-group analysis:

• "And the eye of the adulterer waits for twilight": This phrase portrays the deliberate, calculated nature of the sin. It's not accidental but a planned act, dependent on specific conditions for its execution. The "eye" here is one driven by lust and focused on opportunity, actively seeking the concealment offered by darkness.
• "saying, 'No eye will see me'": This reveals the core self-deception of the sinner. The emphasis on "no eye" implies human observation. They disregard, or at least compartmentalize, the belief in God’s omnipresence and His all-seeing eye. This thought fuels their audacity.
• "and he covers his face so as not to be known": This signifies active concealment to avoid accountability and shame. It reflects the awareness that their deed is wrong and socially unacceptable. The covering of the face is a physical manifestation of the desire for secrecy and evasion of the consequences that come with public knowledge.

Job 24 15 Bonus section

• Polemics against contemporary beliefs: This verse subtly challenges any polytheistic or animistic beliefs prevalent in the ancient Near East that darkness could shield one from divine scrutiny. It stands as a theological counterpoint, implicitly asserting that the true God (Yahweh) is not bound by the limitations of light or dark and sees all, everywhere. The wicked's attempt to hide is futile in the face of true divine knowledge.
• Literary Echoes: The description of the adulterer waiting for twilight parallels other Old Testament warnings about the personified Folly (e.g., Prov 7:9), who also operates under the veil of darkness and seeks out those walking in shadowed paths. This reinforces the theme of evil flourishing in secrecy.
• Job's Human Perspective vs. Divine Reality: Job, observing the lack of immediate earthly judgment, struggles to reconcile God's justice with the prosperity of the wicked operating with such secrecy. This human limitation of understanding serves a crucial function in the overall book, as God’s later discourse reveals a wisdom far beyond human comprehension or perception of immediate consequence. The sinner believes they are safe "from knowledge" (mê-yə-ḏāʿ), unaware that divine knowledge already encompasses all their hidden acts and will, in due time, bring everything into the light.

Job 24 15 Commentary

Job 24:15 vividly portrays the calculated, secretive nature of the wicked, specifically the adulterer. They actively leverage the cover of darkness (twilight) and take measures to conceal their identity (covering their face), operating under the deluded assumption that human eyes are the only eyes that matter, and therefore, their sins will remain unseen and unpunished. The verse serves as a powerful testament to the sinner’s self-deception and their underestimation of divine omniscience. Job's inclusion of such detailed accounts of hidden wickedness further underscores his central challenge: why does God permit such blatant injustice and deceit to persist without immediate intervention? Though the wicked hide from human view and deny their deeds, this verse implicitly sets up the biblical truth that no act, no matter how clandestine, is hidden from the all-seeing eye of God. The darkness preferred by sinners (Job 24:13) only serves to highlight their spiritual rebellion against divine light and truth.