Job 24:12

Men groan from out of the city, and the soul of the wounded crieth out: yet God layeth not folly [to them].

Men {H4962} groan {H5008} from out of the city {H5892}, and the soul {H5315} of the wounded {H2491} crieth out {H7768}: yet God {H433} layeth {H7760} not folly {H8604} to them.

Men are groaning in the city, the mortally wounded are crying for help, yet God finds nothing amiss!

From the city, men groan, and the souls of the wounded cry out, yet God charges no one with wrongdoing.

From out of the populous city men groan, And the soul of the wounded crieth out: Yet God regardeth not the folly.

Commentary

Job 24:12 KJV presents a poignant observation from Job regarding the widespread suffering and injustice in the world, particularly within urban centers, and his perplexing view of God's apparent non-intervention.

Context

This verse is part of Job's continued discourse in response to his friends. Throughout the book of Job, Job grapples with the profound mystery of suffering, especially when it afflicts the righteous while the wicked often seem to prosper, a point Job also makes in Job 21:7. Here, Job directly challenges the conventional wisdom of his friends, who insist that suffering is always a direct result of sin. Instead, Job points to the visible reality of human misery and oppression, arguing that God seems to remain silent or inactive in the face of such blatant injustice. He highlights the plight of the poor and vulnerable, whose cries go unheeded by human authorities and, seemingly, by God himself.

Key Themes

  • The Cry of the Oppressed: The verse vividly describes the anguish of those suffering injustice and violence ("Men groan from out of the city, and the soul of the wounded crieth out"). This highlights the pervasive nature of human suffering and the desperate need for intervention and justice in society.
  • God's Apparent Silence: Job's core complaint is encapsulated in "yet God layeth not folly [to them]." This phrase, interpreted in various ways, most commonly suggests God's apparent indifference or non-response to the cries of the suffering, or His failure to immediately punish the oppressors. It reflects Job's struggle to reconcile God's goodness with the reality of unpunished evil and widespread pain. This theme resonates with many who question God's presence in times of crisis.
  • The Problem of Injustice: Job is deeply disturbed by the fact that the wicked often commit atrocities with impunity, while their victims are left to suffer without recourse. This verse serves as a powerful indictment of societal injustice and a plea for divine accountability.

Linguistic Insights

The most challenging part of this verse for modern readers is the KJV's archaic phrase, "yet God layeth not folly [to them]." The Hebrew underlying this phrase is ื•ึถืึฑืœึนื”ึท ืœึนืึพื™ึธืฉื‚ึดื™ื ืชึผึดืคึฐืœึธื” (ve'eloha lo-yasim tiflah). The word tiflah (ืชึผึดืคึฐืœึธื”) means "folly," "senselessness," or "something unseemly." The verb yasim (ื™ึธืฉื‚ึดื™ื) means "to place," "to set," or "to attribute."

Interpretations vary widely, reflecting the difficulty of Job's theological wrestling:

  • God does not attribute folly (or blame) to the cries: This interpretation suggests God does not deem the cries of the suffering as foolish or unwarranted, even if He doesn't immediately act.
  • God does not pay attention to their prayer/folly: This aligns with Job's complaint that God seems to ignore the plight of the oppressed, or doesn't treat the oppressors' actions as foolish enough to intervene.
  • God does not attribute folly to Himself: A less common view, suggesting God does not see His own inaction as foolish or wrong.

Given Job's overall argument, the most common understanding is that Job perceives God as either ignoring the cries of the suffering or not holding the oppressors accountable for their wicked "folly," thus perpetuating injustice. It speaks to Job's profound struggle with the prosperity of the wicked.

Practical Application

Job 24:12 resonates deeply with anyone who has witnessed or experienced injustice and wondered where God is in the midst of it. This verse:

  • Validates Human Suffering: It acknowledges the reality of pain and oppression in the world, giving voice to the cries of the wounded and marginalized. It reminds us that God sees and hears, even when His response is not immediately apparent. Exodus 3:7 shows God's awareness of Israel's affliction.
  • Challenges Our Understanding of Justice: Like Job, we are called to wrestle with the complexities of divine justice and timing. While God may not always intervene according to our expectations, the Bible consistently teaches that He is ultimately just and will right all wrongs (Romans 12:19).
  • Encourages Empathy and Action: The verse compels us to be attentive to the "groans from out of the city" and the "cries of the wounded" around us. It calls believers to embody God's compassion and to be agents of justice and comfort in a hurting world, reflecting the care that God ultimately demonstrates for the oppressed, as seen in Psalm 34:17.

Ultimately, Job 24:12 reminds us that even when God's ways are mysterious and His timing seems delayed, His character remains righteous, and His ultimate justice is assured.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Ecclesiastes 4:1

    ยถ So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold the tears of [such as were] oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors [there was] power; but they had no comforter.

  • Psalms 69:26

    For they persecute [him] whom thou hast smitten; and they talk to the grief of those whom thou hast wounded.

  • Isaiah 52:5

    Now therefore, what have I here, saith the LORD, that my people is taken away for nought? they that rule over them make them to howl, saith the LORD; and my name continually every day [is] blasphemed.

  • Romans 2:4

    Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

  • Romans 2:5

    But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;

  • Psalms 12:5

    For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the LORD; I will set [him] in safety [from him that] puffeth at him.

  • Ecclesiastes 8:11

    Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.