Job 24 4

Job 24:4 kjv

They turn the needy out of the way: the poor of the earth hide themselves together.

Job 24:4 nkjv

They push the needy off the road; All the poor of the land are forced to hide.

Job 24:4 niv

They thrust the needy from the path and force all the poor of the land into hiding.

Job 24:4 esv

They thrust the poor off the road; the poor of the earth all hide themselves.

Job 24:4 nlt

The poor are pushed off the path;
the needy must hide together for safety.

Job 24 verses

Job 24 4 Meaning

This verse, spoken by Job in his lament, describes the grave injustice perpetuated by the wicked. It illustrates how oppressors actively dispossess the vulnerable, forcing them from their rightful place and path, which includes their homes, land, and access to justice. Consequently, the impoverished and afflicted members of society are driven to hide themselves in fear and despair, completely marginalized from the community and its protective structures.

Job 24 4 Context

Job chapter 24 is a continuation of Job’s fierce argument against the conventional wisdom espoused by his friends—namely, that divine justice always ensures the wicked suffer immediately and the righteous are promptly rewarded. Throughout this chapter, Job challenges this simplistic retribution theology by providing numerous real-world examples of glaring injustice and exploitation perpetuated by wicked individuals who, contrary to his friends’ claims, often remain unpunished and even prosper. Verse 4 serves as a poignant instance within his detailed list of societal evils that overtly defy immediate divine intervention. Job observes a painful reality: the powerful displacing the weak, and the subsequent total marginalization of the poor. This verse vividly illustrates the core of Job's profound struggle—the perceived delay or apparent absence of God's swift justice in a world plagued by open oppression. Historically, the act of "turning out of the way" or "removing landmarks" was a grave crime in ancient Near Eastern societies, as land was intrinsically linked to family inheritance, sustenance, and identity. Mosaic Law, in particular, condemned such acts. Job's words stand as a powerful polemic against any theological framework that dismisses the genuine suffering of the innocent poor by simplistically implying it must be a direct result of their own sin.

Job 24 4 Word analysis

• They turn the needy out of the way;

  • They turn... out (מַסִּיגִ֣ים - massîḡîm): This is a participle derived from the Hebrew root סוּג (sug), which signifies "to turn aside," "to remove," "to displace," or "to retreat." Here, it denotes an active, deliberate, and forceful act of causing something to move or be moved from its place. In context, it strongly implies the act of perverting or unlawfully shifting boundaries, particularly land landmarks, which were crucial markers of inheritance and property in ancient societies. This action is one of usurpation and an assault on established rights, directly leading to dispossession.
  • the needy (אֶבְיוֹנִ֑ים - ʾeḇyōwōnîm): This is the plural form of ʾeḇyōn, a Hebrew term describing those who are truly destitute, impoverished, and dependent. This word carries a nuance of utter lack, helplessness, and reliance on others. Its use here emphasizes the extreme vulnerability of the victims.
  • out of the way (דֶּ֣רֶךְ - dereḵ): Meaning "road," "path," "course," or "way." In this context, it refers not only to a literal path or property boundary but extends metaphorically to their legitimate course of life, their access to justice, their rightful place in society, and their means of livelihood. To turn someone "out of the way" is to divest them of their basic rights and societal standing, severing their connection to stability and security. This action highlights active social dismemberment and the deliberate creation of destitution.

• the poor of the earth hide themselves.

  • the poor (עֲנִ֣יֵּי - ʿanîyyēy): This is the construct plural of ʿānî, another Hebrew word for the poor, but one that often carries the additional sense of being "afflicted," "oppressed," or "humble" due to their suffering. It points to their downtrodden state, emphasizing not just material poverty but also emotional and social subjugation as a direct consequence of mistreatment.
  • of the earth (אָֽרֶץ - ʾāreṣ): Meaning "earth," "land," or "country." The phrase "of the earth" highlights the pervasive and total nature of their poverty and vulnerability. It suggests that they are dispossessed from the very ground that sustains life, left without a secure place to call home. This phrase magnifies the severity of their destitution, signifying they are made outcasts on their own soil.
  • hide themselves (חָבְא֖וּ - ḥāḇəʾū): This verb, from the root חָבָא (ḥāvāʾ), means "to hide" or "to conceal." This action is presented as a direct, compelled consequence of the severe oppression they endure. It implies that the victims are not merely impoverished but so terrified, ashamed, or unsafe that they are driven into secret places, suggesting a complete loss of security, dignity, and public presence. They are rendered invisible, living in fear, outside the protective framework of societal justice.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "They turn the needy out of the way": This powerful clause depicts a deliberate act of injustice. The oppressor (implicitly "they") actively disinherits and displaces the vulnerable. This is not passive neglect but active exploitation—a forceful violation of the fundamental rights and established norms concerning property and fairness within the community. It reveals a profound perversion of what is considered righteous and orderly.
  • "the poor of the earth hide themselves": This second clause outlines the tragic and desperate consequence of the oppression described in the first. It illustrates the devastating impact of such injustice. The victims are not merely robbed or deprived; they are rendered so terrified, insecure, and marginalized that their very existence becomes a hidden, fearful one. "Of the earth" profoundly emphasizes their complete lack of belonging or refuge, signifying that their suffering is pervasive and they are effectively driven into an almost non-existent state, demonstrating a truly broken society where the weak are left utterly without defense.

Job 24 4 Bonus section

The act of "removing landmarks" as part of "turning the needy out of the way" in ancient Israel was a particularly egregious sin. Land was tied to family heritage, tribal identity, and God’s promise, making its usurpation not merely an economic crime but a theological affront. Job’s complaint here, therefore, isn't just about economic injustice but about the profound destabilization of a community rooted in divine order. The Hebrew term ʾeḇyōn for "needy" can also imply a person who lacks power and influence, making them vulnerable, while ʿānî often refers to one who is outwardly afflicted or humbled. Together, they paint a complete picture of societal marginalization. The forced "hiding" of the poor signifies a loss of public existence, emphasizing their despair and the moral blindness of a society that allows such suffering to continue unnoticed or unaddressed by its leadership. This verse underscores Job's wider argument that justice may be delayed on earth, compelling faith in a greater, unseen divine plan for ultimate reckoning.

Job 24 4 Commentary

Job 24:4 stands as a raw lament by Job against the observed realities of social injustice that defy the simple retribution theology of his friends. He depicts oppressors who forcefully displace the "needy" from their rightful "way"—be it their homes, property, or path to justice—leading to utter destitution. As a result, the "poor of the earth" are compelled to "hide themselves," driven by fear and utter marginalization from society’s protective view. This verse vividly illustrates how the wicked not only escape immediate judgment but actively contribute to the suffering of the innocent, rendering them voiceless and invisible. Job’s deep struggle is precisely this disjunction between perceived divine justice and the rampant, unchallenged evil he witnesses, forcing a reconsideration of God's patience and ultimate judgment.