Job 24:15

KJV

The eye also of the adulterer waiteth for the twilight, saying, No eye shall see me: and disguiseth [his] face.

KJV (with Strong's)

The eye {H5869} also of the adulterer {H5003} waiteth {H8104} for the twilight {H5399}, saying {H559}, No eye {H5869} shall see {H7789} me: and disguiseth {H5643}{H7760} his face {H6440}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The eye of the adulterer too waits for twilight; he thinks, 'No eye will see me'; but [to be sure], he covers his face.

Berean Standard Bible

The eye of the adulterer watches for twilight. Thinking, ‘No eye will see me,’ he covers his face.

American Standard Version

The eye also of the adulterer waiteth for the twilight, Saying, No eye shall see me: And he disguiseth his face.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 24:15 vividly portrays the calculated deceit of the adulterer, who meticulously plans transgression under the cover of darkness, believing that human eyes will not detect them. This verse serves as a poignant example within Job's broader lament concerning the apparent prosperity of the wicked and the perplexing delay of divine justice. It highlights the sinner's profound self-delusion, operating under the false premise that secrecy grants immunity from accountability, a belief that stands in stark contrast to the omnipresent and all-seeing nature of God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 24 is part of Job's final extended discourse in the primary dialogue cycle with his three friends (Job 3-27). Following Zophar's silence, Job continues to wrestle with the problem of theodicy – how a righteous God can allow evil to flourish and the innocent to suffer. In this chapter, Job offers a litany of examples of the wicked, including thieves, murderers, oppressors, and the adulterer in verse 15, who seem to operate with impunity, performing their deeds under the cloak of darkness and escaping human judgment. This section underscores Job's deep perplexity and frustration with what he perceives as God's inaction or delayed justice in the world, setting the stage for the divine speeches that will follow.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel and the broader Ancient Near East, adultery was considered a grave moral and legal offense, often punishable by death (cf. [Leviticus 20:10](/leviticus/20-10 "Leviticus 20:10 - Penalty for Adultery")). The emphasis on "twilight" and "disguise" in Job 24:15 reflects the common cultural understanding that illicit activities were deliberately conducted under the cover of darkness to avoid public exposure, shame, and legal consequences. Honor and shame were paramount in these societies, making public detection a significant deterrent. The adulterer's actions are thus a calculated attempt to circumvent societal norms and legal repercussions by exploiting the limited visibility of night, highlighting a profound disregard for both human and divine law.
* **Key Themes:** Job 24:15 contributes significantly to several key themes within the book of Job and broader biblical theology. It exemplifies the theme of **secrecy and deception**, portraying the sinner's deliberate reliance on darkness and concealment to hide their actions from human observation. This underscores the insidious nature of sin, which often seeks to operate in the shadows, believing it can escape detection, as illuminated by [John 3:19](/john/3-19 "John 3:19 - Preference for Darkness Over Light"). Furthermore, the phrase "No eye shall see me" reveals a pervasive **false sense of security** and spiritual blindness, a profound delusion that secret acts truly escape notice. This belief is directly contradicted by the biblical truth of God's omnipresence and omniscience, a theme powerfully articulated in [Proverbs 15:3](/proverbs/15-3 "Proverbs 15:3 - God's All-Seeing Eyes") and [Hebrews 4:13](/hebrew/4-13 "Hebrews 4:13 - Nothing Hidden from God"). The choice of adultery as an example also highlights **moral corruption** and a deliberate transgression of covenantal and divine law.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Twilight (Hebrew, _nesheph'_):** This term specifically refers to the period of dusk or nightfall, the fading light between day and complete darkness. Its selection here is highly strategic, emphasizing the deliberate timing for illicit activities when visibility is at its lowest, thereby facilitating concealment. It is not merely "night" but the transitional, ambiguous space that provides optimal cover for hidden deeds.
* **Disguiseth (Hebrew, _mastēr'_):** Derived from the root סָתַר (satar), meaning "to hide" or "to conceal," the Hiphil participle _mastēr_ denotes an active, intentional act of hiding or concealing. This implies more than simply being hidden by darkness; it suggests a deliberate effort to put on a disguise, to mask one's face or identity, or to conceal one's true intentions, all aimed at evading recognition and accountability for the illicit act.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The eye also of the adulterer waiteth for the twilight":** This clause vividly portrays the premeditated and calculated nature of the sin. The adulterer is not depicted as being caught in a sudden moment of passion but as deliberately planning their transgression, patiently awaiting the opportune moment when the fading light of dusk provides sufficient cover. The "eye" here refers both to the active, watchful gaze of the adulterer, seeking the conditions conducive to their sin, and implicitly, to the eyes of others from whom they wish to hide.
* **"saying, No eye shall see me":** This phrase reveals the internal monologue and the profound self-deception inherent in secret sin. The sinner believes they can escape detection, not just by human eyes, but implicitly, from divine scrutiny. This declaration highlights a deep spiritual blindness and a false sense of security, a common delusion among those who commit hidden acts of evil, assuming their actions can remain truly private.
* **"and disguiseth [his] face":** This final phrase underscores the active measures taken by the adulterer to ensure anonymity and avoid accountability. The act of disguising one's face goes beyond mere concealment; it is a deliberate attempt to erase one's identity, preventing recognition and the subsequent shame, legal repercussions, or social ostracization. It speaks to a profound desire to escape the consequences of their actions by rendering themselves unidentifiable.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful **literary devices** to convey its message. **Personification** is evident in the phrase "The eye...waiteth," giving agency and intention to a part of the body to emphasize the deliberate and calculating nature of the sinner's actions. There is profound **irony** in the adulterer's confident declaration, "No eye shall see me." While they may successfully evade human detection, the broader biblical worldview, particularly in Job, asserts God's omnipresence and omniscience, rendering such attempts at concealment futile in the divine sight. This creates a dramatic tension between human perception and divine reality. Furthermore, the verse uses vivid **imagery** of darkness, waiting, and disguise to paint a compelling picture of clandestine activity, evoking a sense of moral corruption, stealth, and the deceptive nature of sin.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 24:15, while expressing Job's perplexity over the apparent unpunished prosperity of the wicked, implicitly points to a profound theological truth: the futility of attempting to hide sin from God. The adulterer's delusion that "no eye shall see me" stands in stark contrast to the biblical affirmation of God's perfect knowledge and omnipresence. This verse underscores the pervasive nature of sin's deceit, which often leads individuals to believe they can escape accountability through secrecy. However, the consistent testimony of Scripture reveals that all deeds, whether done in light or darkness, are ultimately known to God and will one day be brought to light, challenging humanity's false sense of security and calling for a life lived in transparency before a holy God.

* [Proverbs 15:3](/proverbs/15-3 "Proverbs 15:3 - The Eyes of the Lord Are Everywhere")
* [Hebrews 4:13](/hebrews/4-13 "Hebrews 4:13 - Nothing Hidden from God")
* [Luke 12:2](/luke/12-2 "Luke 12:2 - Nothing Covered That Will Not Be Revealed")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 24:15 serves as a timeless and sobering warning against the illusion of hidden sin. In an age where digital anonymity and private spaces can foster a false sense of security, this verse reminds us that while we may successfully conceal our actions from human eyes—whether through physical disguise, digital facades, or social pretense—we can never hide from God. True integrity is not merely about avoiding detection, but about living transparently and authentically before the One who sees all. This verse calls believers to resist the temptation to succumb to "secret sins," those areas of our lives we believe are private and unobserved. Instead, it encourages a life lived in the light, marked by genuine repentance, a desire for righteousness, and the liberating knowledge that walking in truth, even when it exposes our flaws, is the path to spiritual freedom and genuine intimacy with God. It challenges us to examine our hearts and motives, knowing that ultimate accountability rests not with human judgment, but with the all-seeing eyes of our Creator.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be operating under the illusion that "no eye shall see me," even subconsciously?**
* **How does the truth of God's omnipresence and omniscience challenge my understanding of accountability and integrity in my private life?**
* **What steps can I take to cultivate a life of greater transparency and authenticity before God and others, even in areas where I might be tempted to hide?**

### FAQ
**Why does Job focus on the adulterer specifically among other evildoers?**

Answer: While Job lists various evildoers (thieves, murderers, oppressors) in Job 24, the adulterer serves as a particularly potent example of clandestine sin because adultery inherently involves a betrayal of trust and a deliberate act of concealment. It's a sin often committed in secret, relying on darkness and disguise to avoid detection, making it a perfect illustration of the wicked who believe their deeds go unseen. It also highlights a profound moral corruption that seeks to violate sacred covenants, as outlined in [Exodus 20:14](/exodus/20-14 "Exodus 20:14 - The Seventh Commandment"). The choice emphasizes the deliberate, premeditated nature of sin that actively seeks to evade both human and divine judgment.

**Does this verse suggest that God is not seeing or acting against these hidden sins?**

Answer: No, the verse reflects the *sinner's* delusion, not God's actual blindness or inaction. Job's larger lament in the chapter is precisely about his *perception* that God is not intervening immediately or visibly to punish the wicked. However, the biblical narrative consistently affirms God's omniscience, meaning nothing is hidden from Him. Passages like [Psalm 139:11-12](/psalm/139-11 "Psalm 139:11-12 - Darkness is as Light to God") explicitly state that darkness offers no concealment from God's sight, and [Hebrews 4:13](/hebrew/4-13 "Hebrews 4:13 - All Things Are Naked and Open") declares that all things are naked and open to His eyes. Job's struggle is with the *timing* and *manifestation* of divine justice, not its eventual certainty or God's knowledge.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job 24:15, with its portrayal of the sinner's futile attempt to hide in darkness, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus, who is the light of the world. While the adulterer seeks the twilight, believing "no eye shall see me," Christ came to expose the darkness and bring all things into the light, as stated in [John 3:19-21](/john/3-19 "John 3:19-21 - Light and Darkness"). He is the divine "eye" that sees beyond mere outward appearance, discerning the intentions of the heart ([Matthew 5:28](/matthew/5-28 "Matthew 5:28 - Lust of the Heart")). The very sins committed in secret, like adultery, are those for which Christ offered His life as the ultimate sacrifice, bearing the shame and guilt that humanity sought to hide. His death and resurrection not only provide forgiveness for sins committed in darkness but also empower believers to "walk in the light, as he is in the light" ([1 John 1:7](/1_john/1-7 "1 John 1:7 - Walking in the Light")), no longer needing to disguise their face or hide their deeds. Ultimately, the New Testament assures us that there is "nothing covered that will not be revealed, and nothing hidden that will not be known" ([Matthew 10:26](/matthew/10-26 "Matthew 10:26 - Nothing Hidden Will Not Be Revealed")), and that "God will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus" ([Romans 2:16](/romans/2-16 "Romans 2:16 - God Judges the Secrets of Men")). Thus, Christ is both the revealer of hidden sin and the redeemer who offers cleansing and freedom from its power, enabling a life of transparency and integrity before God.

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

Psalms 10:11

He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten: he hideth his face; he will never see [it].

Proverbs 7:9

In the twilight, in the evening, in the black and dark night:

Proverbs 7:10

And, behold, there met him a woman [with] the attire of an harlot, and subtil of heart.

Psalms 50:18

When thou sawest a thief, then thou consentedst with him, and hast been partaker with adulterers.

Ezekiel 8:12

Then said he unto me, Son of man, hast thou seen what the ancients of the house of Israel do in the dark, every man in the chambers of his imagery? for they say, The LORD seeth us not; the LORD hath forsaken the earth.

Ezekiel 9:9

Then said he unto me, The iniquity of the house of Israel and Judah [is] exceeding great, and the land is full of blood, and the city full of perverseness: for they say, The LORD hath forsaken the earth, and the LORD seeth not.

Proverbs 6:32

[But] whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he [that] doeth it destroyeth his own soul.