Job 24:11

KJV

[Which] make oil within their walls, [and] tread [their] winepresses, and suffer thirst.

KJV (with Strong's)

Which make oil {H6671} within {H996} their walls {H7791}, and tread {H1869} their winepresses {H3342}, and suffer thirst {H6770}.

Complete Jewish Bible

between these men's rows [of olives], they make oil; treading their winepresses, they suffer thirst.

Berean Standard Bible

They crush olives within their walls; they tread the winepresses, but go thirsty.

American Standard Version

They make oil within the walls of these men; They treadtheirwinepresses, and suffer thirst.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 24:11 powerfully depicts the profound social injustice and economic exploitation prevalent in ancient societies. It portrays the cruel paradox of laborers who toil diligently in the essential agricultural industries of oil and wine production, yet are denied even the most basic necessities of life, suffering thirst despite being surrounded by the very liquids they have helped create. This verse serves as a stark illustration of human cruelty and systemic oppression, contributing to Job's broader lament concerning the perplexing prosperity of the wicked and the suffering of the innocent.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 24:11 is situated within Job's third and final response to his friends, specifically his argument in chapter 24 where he directly challenges their conventional retribution theology. Throughout this chapter, Job articulates a profound observation: contrary to the friends' assertion that the wicked always suffer, he sees them prospering and perpetrating injustice with impunity. He details a litany of offenses, from moving boundary markers to exploiting the vulnerable and the poor ([Job 24:2-4](/job/24-2 "Job 24:2-4 - Acts of Injustice")). Verse 11 provides a vivid, concrete example of this systemic exploitation, highlighting the plight of agricultural laborers. It serves as a poignant illustration of the "why" behind Job's agonizing questions about divine justice and God's apparent silence in the face of widespread human suffering and oppression.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The verse reflects the agrarian economy of ancient Israel and the Near East, where olive oil and wine were not merely commodities but staples of life, essential for food, light, medicine, and social custom. Olive pressing involved crushing olives, often in stone mills, to extract oil, while wine pressing required treading grapes by foot in large vats, a physically demanding process. The phrase "within their walls" likely refers to the enclosed estates or properties of wealthy landowners, implying that the laborers were working on land not their own, under the control of others. This context underscores the vulnerability of the landless poor, who were often dependent on seasonal labor and susceptible to exploitation by those who controlled resources. The lack of legal protections for such workers meant that even basic provisions could be withheld, creating a stark and cruel reality where producers themselves were deprived.
* **Key Themes:** Job 24:11 is rich with themes central to the Book of Job and broader biblical theology. Foremost is the theme of **Exploitation and Injustice**, vividly portraying the harsh reality of the oppressed. Laborers produce valuable commodities like olive oil and wine, yet are denied even water or their rightful share, speaking to a systemic failure of justice. This leads directly to the **Paradox of Suffering**, where abundance is created by their hands but withheld from them, highlighting the absurdity and cruelty of their condition. This specific injustice contributes significantly to Job's overarching struggle with **Divine Justice (Theodicy)**. Job is wrestling with why God permits the suffering of the innocent and the prosperity of the wicked, a question that permeates his speeches, particularly in chapters like [Job 21](/job/21 "Job 21 - The Prosperity of the Wicked") and [Job 24](/job/24 "Job 24 - Job's Lament on Injustice"). The verse underscores the **Suffering of the Innocent** and the **Oppression of the Vulnerable**, themes that resonate throughout the prophetic literature and the wisdom tradition.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **make oil (Hebrew: עָשׂוּ שֶׁמֶן, _ʿāśû šemen_):** This phrase describes the labor-intensive process of extracting olive oil. Olives were crushed in presses, often within enclosed areas or "walls" of an estate, and the oil was collected. This was a vital industry, as olive oil was used for cooking, fuel for lamps, anointing, and medicinal purposes. The word highlights the productive, essential nature of the laborers' work, emphasizing their contribution to the society's well-being.
* **tread (Hebrew: יִדְרְכוּ, _yidrᵉḵû_):** This verb specifically refers to the act of treading grapes in a winepress. It was a physically demanding task, often performed by bare feet, to extract juice for wine. Like oil, wine was a staple beverage and an important part of the ancient diet and culture. The word underscores the physical exertion and direct involvement of the laborers in producing a valuable, life-sustaining commodity.
* **suffer thirst (Hebrew: יִצְמָאוּ, _yiṣmāʾû_):** This verb powerfully conveys the state of deprivation. The root means "to be thirsty" or "to long for water." In the context of the verse, it creates a stark and shocking contrast: individuals are literally surrounded by liquids (oil and wine are both fluid products) that they have produced through strenuous labor, yet they are denied even the basic human need of water. This word encapsulates the profound injustice and the cruel irony of their situation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"[Which] make oil within their walls":** This clause describes the first sphere of the laborers' toil. The "walls" likely refer to the enclosed properties or estates of the wealthy landowners, where the olive presses were located. The laborers are not working on their own land or for their own benefit, but for the profit of others. This highlights their status as exploited workers, producing a valuable commodity (oil) under the control of their oppressors.
* **"[and] tread [their] winepresses":** This clause details the second form of agricultural labor. The "winepresses" also belong to the wealthy, not to the laborers. The act of treading grapes was physically arduous, yet the fruit of this labor, the wine, would not be for the workers' consumption or benefit. This reinforces the theme of forced labor and the alienation of the workers from the very products of their hands.
* **"and suffer thirst":** This final, devastating clause reveals the cruel and ironic outcome of their labor. Despite being immersed in the production of liquids—oil and wine—which are themselves forms of sustenance, these laborers are denied even the most fundamental necessity of water. This is the ultimate expression of their exploitation: they create abundance for others but are left in a state of profound deprivation, highlighting the extreme inhumanity of their oppressors and the systemic nature of the injustice Job observes.

#### Literary Devices
Job 24:11 employs several powerful literary devices to underscore its message of injustice. The most prominent is **Irony**, specifically situational irony, where the outcome is the opposite of what one would expect. The laborers are literally surrounded by liquids (oil and wine) through their work, yet they "suffer thirst," a cruel and illogical deprivation. This creates a profound sense of **Paradox**, a seemingly contradictory statement that contains a deeper truth about the absurdity of the situation. The verse also utilizes **Juxtaposition**, placing the acts of "making oil" and "treading winepresses" directly alongside the consequence of "suffering thirst." This stark contrast heightens the emotional impact and emphasizes the severity of the exploitation. Furthermore, the verse evokes **Pathos**, appealing to the reader's emotions and eliciting sympathy for the exploited and oppressed. The simple, direct language describing their labor and subsequent suffering makes their plight relatable and deeply moving.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 24:11 serves as a profound biblical indictment of economic exploitation and social injustice, echoing themes found throughout the Old and New Testaments. It underscores God's deep concern for the vulnerable and His condemnation of those who oppress the poor and deny them their rightful due. The verse contributes to the broader biblical narrative that God is a God of justice who hears the cry of the oppressed and will ultimately hold oppressors accountable. While Job struggles with the apparent delay of divine justice in his own time, this verse reminds us that the Bible consistently champions fair treatment, equitable labor practices, and compassion for the marginalized, viewing their exploitation as an affront to God's character and His created order.

* [Deuteronomy 24:14-15](/deuteronomy/24-14 "Deuteronomy 24:14-15 - Fair Wages for Hired Servants")
* [James 5:4](/james/5-4 "James 5:4 - The Cry of Exploited Laborers")
* [Amos 8:4-6](/amos/8-4 "Amos 8:4-6 - Oppression of the Poor and Needy")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 24:11 remains strikingly relevant in our contemporary world, serving as a timeless mirror reflecting issues of economic inequality, fair labor practices, and the exploitation of vulnerable populations. It compels us to look beyond the immediate comforts of our own lives and consider the hidden costs and human suffering embedded within global supply chains, industries, and economic systems. This verse calls believers to embody God's heart for justice, to advocate for those who labor tirelessly but are denied a dignified living, and to challenge systems that perpetuate deprivation amidst abundance. It encourages us to examine our own consumption habits, investment choices, and political engagement, asking how we might contribute to or alleviate such injustices. Furthermore, it reminds us to cultivate empathy, to lend our voices to the voiceless, and to actively participate in alleviating suffering and promoting fairness in our communities and global society, even as we trust in God's ultimate justice, which may not always manifest in our preferred timeline.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Job 24:11 challenge our understanding of prosperity and poverty in the modern world, particularly concerning global economic disparities?**
* **In what ways might we, even unknowingly, contribute to systems that exploit others, and what practical steps can we take to advocate for more just labor practices?**
* **How does this verse inspire us to action in addressing issues of economic inequality and advocating for the dignity of all laborers in our communities and globally?**

### FAQ
**What does "within their walls" refer to in Job 24:11?**

Answer: The phrase "within their walls" most likely refers to the enclosed properties, estates, or even within the city walls where the wealthy landowners conducted their agricultural processing. In ancient times, olive presses and winepresses were often located on the estates of those who owned the land and the crops. This detail emphasizes that the laborers were working not for themselves or on their own land, but on the property of others, under their control, and for their profit. It highlights the power imbalance and the complete dependency of the laborers on their employers, making their exploitation even more egregious.

**How does this verse relate to the broader theme of suffering in the Book of Job?**

Answer: Job 24:11 is a crucial piece of Job's argument against the traditional retribution theology espoused by his friends, which posits that suffering is always a direct result of sin. In this verse, Job presents a stark example of innocent people (laborers) suffering profound deprivation despite their productive work, while their oppressors (the landowners) seemingly prosper without immediate divine judgment. This specific instance of injustice fuels Job's agonizing struggle with the problem of evil and divine justice (theodicy). It serves as concrete evidence that contradicts his friends' simplistic worldview and forces the reader to grapple with the perplexing reality of innocent suffering and the apparent prosperity of the wicked, a central tension throughout the [Book of Job](/job/1 "The Book of Job").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The profound injustice depicted in Job 24:11, where laborers suffer thirst amidst the abundance they create, finds its ultimate answer and compassionate response in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Jesus, the Son of God, consistently identified with the poor, the marginalized, and the oppressed. His inaugural sermon in [Luke 4:18-19](/luke/4-18 "Luke 4:18-19 - Jesus' Mission Statement") declares His mission to "proclaim good news to the poor... to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed." He taught that true discipleship involves caring for "the least of these," explicitly linking acts of compassion to Himself ([Matthew 25:35-40](/matthew/25-35 "Matthew 25:35-40 - Identifying with the Least of These")). While Job wrestled with God's apparent silence in the face of injustice, Christ entered into human suffering, experiencing profound deprivation and injustice Himself as the [Suffering Servant](/isaiah/53-3 "Isaiah 53:3-5 - The Suffering Servant") who was "despised and rejected by men." His crucifixion, the ultimate act of injustice, became the means by which He addressed the root cause of all exploitation—sin—and inaugurated a new kingdom where righteousness and justice will ultimately prevail. In the new heavens and new earth, the promise of [Revelation 21:4](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - No More Suffering") ensures that there will be no more tears, no more pain, and certainly no more suffering thirst amidst abundance, as Christ's perfect reign will bring complete restoration and justice for all who are His.

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

Jeremiah 22:13

Woe unto him that buildeth his house by unrighteousness, and his chambers by wrong; [that] useth his neighbour's service without wages, and giveth him not for his work;

James 5:4

Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth.

Deuteronomy 25:4

Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out [the corn].