Job 24:1

KJV

¶ Why, seeing times are not hidden from the Almighty, do they that know him not see his days?

KJV (with Strong's)

Why, seeing times {H6256} are not hidden {H6845} from the Almighty {H7706}, do they that know {H3045} him not see {H2372} his days {H3117}?

Complete Jewish Bible

"Why are times not kept by Shaddai? Why do those who know him not see his days?

Berean Standard Bible

“Why does the Almighty not reserve times for judgment? Why may those who know Him never see His days?

American Standard Version

Why are times not laid up by the Almighty? And why do not they that know him see his days?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 24:1 initiates Job's final and most extensive discourse, a profound lament that starkly questions the apparent disparity between God's absolute knowledge and the pervasive reality of unpunished injustice in the world. Grappling with immense personal suffering, Job boldly challenges the conventional understanding of divine retribution by asking why the "times" of judgment, which are fully known to the Almighty, are not visibly evident to those who should recognize God's hand, implying a perplexing and painful delay in divine intervention against the wicked.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the powerful opening to Job's longest and culminating response to his friends, immediately following Bildad's brief and theologically rigid speech in [Job 25](/job/25 "Job 25 - Bildad's Final Speech"). Bildad's discourse, a concise assertion of God's immense power and human impurity, offers no comfort or explanation for Job's plight, concluding with a rhetorical question about man's righteousness before God ([Job 25:4](/job/25-4 "Job 25:4 - Man's Impurity Before God")). Job finds these simplistic pronouncements utterly inadequate in the face of his own experience and the widespread injustice he observes. Chapter 24 then unfolds as Job's detailed and graphic indictment of the wicked's actions and their disconcerting impunity, presenting a stark counter-evidence to his friends' rigid doctrine of immediate divine retribution. This chapter represents a poignant peak in Job's honest, unvarnished wrestling with the problem of evil and God's apparent hiddenness, pushing the boundaries of conventional wisdom.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Job is set in the ancient Near East, likely reflecting a patriarchal societal structure, though its precise historical dating remains a subject of scholarly debate. The prevailing cultural and theological understanding, particularly championed by Job's friends, adhered to a strict retributive justice system: righteousness invariably led to prosperity, while wickedness inevitably resulted in suffering. This worldview was often intertwined with covenant theology, where blessings were contingent on obedience and curses on disobedience. Job's lament in [Job 24](/job/24 "Job 24 - Job's Lament on Injustice") directly confronts this mechanistic view of divine justice, reflecting a deeper, more complex reality that transcends simplistic formulas. His questions resonate deeply with the broader wisdom literature tradition, which frequently grapples with life's paradoxes, the limits of human understanding, and the inscrutability of divine ways. The cultural expectation was for God to visibly intervene to uphold cosmic order and justice, making Job's observation of persistent, unpunished injustice profoundly perplexing and scandalous.
* **Key Themes:** Job 24:1 powerfully introduces several core themes that are central to the entire book of Job. Firstly, it highlights the profound **Paradox of Divine Omniscience and Apparent Inaction**. Job acknowledges God's absolute knowledge and control over all "times," a premise that paradoxically intensifies his perplexity over God's seeming delay in judgment. This tension between God's perfect awareness and humanity's limited understanding of His timing is a foundational element of the book. Secondly, the verse squarely addresses the **Problem of Evil and Justice**, particularly the observed prosperity of the wicked. Job vividly describes criminals, oppressors, and the unrighteous who appear to escape punishment, while the innocent endure hardship, directly challenging the simplistic theology of his friends who insisted that suffering was always a direct consequence of sin. This honest wrestling with injustice is a universal human experience, echoing similar laments found in [Psalm 73](/psalm/73 "Psalm 73 - The Prosperity of the Wicked"). Finally, the verse underscores **Job's Persistent Struggle with Faith**. Despite profound suffering and the accusations of his friends, Job never fully abandons his faith. Instead, he boldly brings his deepest questions and grievances directly to God, as evidenced by his earlier declaration, "[Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him](/job/13-15 "Job 13:15 - Job's Trust in God")". This is not a denial of God but a desperate plea for understanding, reflecting a wrestling that ultimately deepens, rather than destroys, his faith.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **times (Hebrew, _ʿêth'_):** This noun refers to "appointed times," "seasons," or "fixed periods." In this context, it carries the nuance of specific moments or occasions, particularly those appointed by God for judgment or intervention. Job's assertion that these "times" are not hidden from God emphasizes God's absolute foreknowledge and sovereignty over all events, including the precise timing of justice. The perplexity arises because if God knows the precise moment for judgment, why does that judgment not manifest visibly in the world?
* **Almighty (Hebrew, _Shadday'_):** This is one of the most prominent divine names in the book of Job, appearing 31 times. _Shadday_ (often translated as "Almighty" or "God Almighty") emphasizes God's power, sufficiency, and overwhelming might. By addressing God as _Shadday_, Job acknowledges God's supreme authority and ability to act decisively, making His apparent inaction even more baffling to the suffering patriarch. It highlights the vast chasm between God's infinite power and Job's finite, suffering understanding.
* **days (Hebrew, _yôwm'_):** While the KJV translates this as "his days" (plural and possessive), the root word _yôwm_ refers to "a day" (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated term). In this context, "his days" refers to God's specific periods or appointed times of intervention, revelation, or judgment. It implies the moments when God makes His presence, power, and justice evident in the world. Job's question, "do they that know him not see his days?" is a poignant lament that those who should be most attuned to God's workings—or even the wicked who should be made to acknowledge His power—do not perceive these moments of divine reckoning. It underscores the concept of **divine timing**, which often differs radically from human expectations and desires for immediate justice.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Why, seeing times are not hidden from the Almighty,"**: This opening clause establishes Job's foundational premise and the source of his perplexity: God is omniscient. He knows all "times," all events, all deeds, and all appointed moments for action. The rhetorical "Why" immediately signals Job's profound bewilderment and challenge. He is not questioning God's knowledge or power, but rather the apparent disconnect between God's perfect awareness and the observable reality of pervasive injustice. This sets up the central tension that drives the entire lament in [Job 24](/job/24 "Job 24 - Job's Lament on Injustice").
* **"do they that know him not see his days?"**: This is the core of Job's agonizing question and his theological dilemma. If God knows everything and is all-powerful, why are His "days" of judgment or intervention not visible or apparent, especially to "they that know him"? This phrase could refer to the righteous who expect to see God's justice vindicated, or perhaps even to the wicked who should be compelled to acknowledge God's power through His judgment. Job is lamenting the seeming absence of clear divine action, which makes it difficult for anyone, even believers, to discern God's hand in the world's affairs and understand His providential governance.

#### Literary Devices
Job 24:1 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey Job's deep anguish and theological struggle. The verse opens with a powerful **Rhetorical Question**, "Why, seeing times are not hidden from the Almighty, do they that know him not see his days?" This question is not posed to elicit an answer from his friends, but rather to express Job's profound bewilderment and to challenge the simplistic theological framework that has been offered to him. It functions as a **Lament**, a common genre in biblical literature where the speaker voices sorrow, complaint, or protest to God concerning suffering or injustice. Furthermore, the verse encapsulates a profound **Paradox**: the all-knowing, all-powerful God appears to be inactive or hidden in the face of pervasive evil. This tension between divine attributes and observable reality creates a sense of **Irony**, as those who "know him" (presumably the righteous or those who should understand God's ways) are precisely the ones who cannot "see his days" of justice, contrary to what one might expect.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 24:1 profoundly engages with the perennial theological dilemma of divine justice and the problem of evil. It highlights the tension between God's absolute sovereignty and omniscience, and the human experience of suffering and injustice. Job's question is not a denial of God's existence or power, but a raw, honest plea for understanding why God's perfect knowledge does not seem to translate into immediate, visible intervention against the wicked. This wrestling with God's timing and hiddenness is a crucial aspect of mature faith, acknowledging that God's ways are often beyond human comprehension. The verse challenges any simplistic "cause-and-effect" theology that assumes immediate retribution for sin or reward for righteousness, pushing the audience to consider the deeper mysteries of God's providential governance and the ultimate triumph of His justice.

* [Psalm 73:3-12](/psalm/73-3-12 "The Prosperity and End of the Wicked")
* [Habakkuk 1:2-4](/habakkuk/1-2-4 "Habakkuk's Complaint to God")
* [Ecclesiastes 8:11](/ecclesiastes/8-11 "The Delay of Justice")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 24:1 invites believers to engage in honest and courageous wrestling with God, particularly when faced with life's profound paradoxes and the apparent triumph of injustice. It validates the experience of questioning God's timing and methods, reminding us that true faith is not the absence of doubt, but rather the willingness to bring our deepest perplexities directly to the Almighty. In a world where evil often seems to prosper and justice is delayed, this verse encourages us to trust in God's character and ultimate purposes, even when His immediate actions are inscrutable. It challenges us to move beyond simplistic answers and embrace a more nuanced understanding of divine providence, recognizing that God's wisdom and timing far transcend our limited human perspective. Our faith is often refined in the crucible of unanswered questions, leading to a deeper reliance on who God is, rather than merely what He does or when He does it, fostering a patient endurance rooted in His unchanging character.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do you reconcile God's perfect knowledge and power with the visible presence of injustice and suffering in the world?**
* **In what ways does Job's honest questioning challenge your own assumptions about divine timing and intervention?**
* **How can you maintain a vibrant faith when God's ways seem hidden or His justice appears delayed?**
* **What does this verse teach us about the nature of true wisdom in the face of life's complexities and unanswered questions?**

### FAQ
**What does "times are not hidden from the Almighty" mean?**

Answer: This phrase asserts God's absolute omniscience and sovereignty over all time and events. It means that God is fully aware of every moment, every deed, and every appointed time for judgment or intervention. Nothing escapes His notice; there are no surprises for the Almighty. Job's premise here is that God knows precisely when and how justice should be executed, making His apparent inaction all the more perplexing to the suffering patriarch. It highlights God's complete control and knowledge, even when His actions are not immediately apparent to human observers, as seen in [Psalm 139:1-6](/psalm/139-1-6 "Psalm 139:1-6 - God's Omniscience").

**Who are "they that know him" in this verse?**

Answer: "They that know him" likely refers primarily to those who have a relationship with God, particularly the righteous or faithful individuals who would expect to see God's justice manifest in the world. It could also broadly refer to humanity in general, implying that even those who should recognize divine activity are unable to perceive God's "days" of judgment or intervention. Job's lament is that even for those who are attuned to God, His actions are not clear or evident in the face of widespread injustice, leading to a profound crisis of understanding.

**What are "his days" that Job refers to?**

Answer: "His days" refers to the specific periods or appointed times when God reveals His presence, power, and justice in the world, particularly through acts of judgment or intervention. Job is asking why these moments of divine reckoning are not visibly apparent, allowing the wicked to seemingly prosper without immediate consequence. It speaks to the concept of God's timing for justice, which often differs from human expectations for immediate retribution. The full revelation of God's "days" is often a future reality, as seen in passages like [Psalm 73:17](/psalm/73-17 "The End of the Wicked") and [2 Peter 3:8-10](/2_peter/3-8-10 "2 Peter 3:8-10 - The Lord's Day Will Come").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job 24:1, with its profound lament over God's apparent hiddenness and the perplexing delay of justice, finds its ultimate resolution and reinterpretation in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "times" that are not hidden from the Almighty are perfectly revealed in God's grand redemptive plan, culminating in Christ's first and second comings. The ultimate "day" of God's decisive intervention was not a visible judgment on the wicked in Job's time, but the paradoxical "day" when God's own Son, the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), suffered unjustly on the cross. This event, seemingly the epitome of injustice, was in fact God's appointed time to deal with the problem of evil and sin definitively ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God's Love Demonstrated")). What was hidden from Job – the precise timing and method of God's justice – is made clear in the cross, where God’s righteousness and His mercy meet in a divine embrace ([Psalm 85:10](/psalm/85-10 "Psalm 85:10 - Righteousness and Peace Kiss")). Furthermore, the "days" of God's ultimate and visible justice are yet to come, fully revealed in Christ's glorious second advent, when every hidden thing will be brought to light and perfect justice will be meted out to all ([Matthew 25:31-46](/matthew/25-31-46 "Matthew 25:31-46 - The Judgment of the Nations")). Thus, the Christian perspective understands that God's "days" are not absent, but perfectly timed, encompassing both the saving work of Christ and His future return to establish His eternal kingdom ([Revelation 21:1-4](/revelation/21-1-4 "Revelation 21:1-4 - New Heaven and New Earth")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Acts 1:7

And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.

Ecclesiastes 3:17

I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for [there is] a time there for every purpose and for every work.

Ecclesiastes 8:6

¶ Because to every purpose there is time and judgment, therefore the misery of man [is] great upon him.

Ecclesiastes 8:7

For he knoweth not that which shall be: for who can tell him when it shall be?

2 Peter 3:7

But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

2 Peter 3:8

¶ But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day [is] with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

Psalms 36:10

O continue thy lovingkindness unto them that know thee; and thy righteousness to the upright in heart.