Job 24:9-37:15

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Job 24:1-12

Job's friends had been very positive in it that they should soon see the fall of wicked people, how much soever they might prosper for a while. By no means, says Job; though times are not hidden from the Almighty, yet those that know him do not presently see his day, Job 24:1. 1. He takes it for granted that times are not hidden from the Almighty; past times are not hidden from his judgment (Eccl. 3:15), present times are not hidden from his providence (Matt. 10:29), future times are not... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 24:9

They pluck the fatherless from the breast ,.... Either on purpose to starve it, which must be extremely barbarous; or to sell it to be brought up a slave; or by obliging the mother to wean it before the due time, that she might be the better able to do work for them they obliged her to. Mr. Broughton renders the words, "of mischievousness they rob the fatherless"; that is, through the greatness of the mischief they do, as Ben Gersom interprets it; or through the exceeding mischievous... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Job 24:9

They pluck the fatherless from the breast - They forcibly take young children in order that they may bring them up in a state of slavery. This verse is the commencement of a new paragraph, and points out the arbitrary dealings of oppressors, under despotic governors. Take a pledge of the poor - Oppressive landlords who let out their grounds at an exorbitant rent, which the poor laborers, though using the utmost diligence, are unable at all times to pay; and then the unfeeling wretch... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 24:1-12

Job to Eliphaz: 4. An answer wanted to a great question' I. AS IMPORTANT PROPOSITION STATED . That the Almighty does not call wicked men before his tribunal on earth. "Why are not times," i.e. of reckoning or punishment, "reserved," or kept in store, "by the Almighty, and why do they who know him see not his days?" i.e. his doomsdays, or days of judicial visitation on the wicked (verse 1). 1 . A caution. The language does not imply either that there should not be, or that... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 24:1-12

Examples of God's incomprehensible dealings. I. DEEDS OF VIOLENCE AND FRAUD . ( Job 24:1-4 .) "Why are not times laid up," i.e. reserved, determined by the Almighty, "and why do those who know him ( i.e. his friends) not see his days?"—the days when he arises to judgment, days of revelation, days of the Son of man ( Ezekiel 30:3 ; Luke 17:22 ). Then comes a series of acts of violence, oppression, persecution, permitted by God the removal of landmarks ( Deuteronomy 19:14 ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 24:1-22

Apparent anomalies in the Divine judgment. Job again points to the anomalous conditions of human life—goodness, which has its approval in every breast, and on which, by universal consent of belief, a Divine blessing rests, is nevertheless often overcast with the shadow of calamity; and, on the other hand, evil-doing, which merits only judgment, affliction, and correction, is often found to prosper. To it outward events seem to be favourable. Men sin without let or hindrance. Apparently,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 24:1-25

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 24:9

They pluck the fatherless from the breast . Other oppressors, not of the marauding class, but dwellers in towns ( Job 24:12 ), are so cruel that they tear the unweaned child of the debtor from the mother's breast, as satisfaction for a debt, and carry him off into slavery. And take a pledge of the poor ; literally, take in pledge that which is on the poor— in other words, their clothing. They will not lend to them on any other terms, and so force them to part with their garments, and... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 24:9

They pluck the fatherless from the breast - That is, they steal away unprotected children, and sell them, or make slaves of them for their own use. If this is the correct interpretation, then there existed at that time, what has existed since, so much to the disgrace of mankind, the custom of kidnapping children, and bearing them away to be sold as slaves. Slavery existed in early ages; and it must have been in some such way that slaves were procured. The wonder of Job is, that such people were... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Job 24:9-10

Job 24:9-10. They The wicked oppressors; pluck the fatherless from the breast Either out of cruelty, not sparing poor infants, or out of covetousness, not allowing the mother time for the suckling of her infant. They take away the sheaf from the hungry That single sheaf, which the poor man had got with the sweat of his brow, to satisfy his hunger. read more

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