Job 24:17

KJV

For the morning [is] to them even as the shadow of death: if [one] know [them, they are in] the terrors of the shadow of death.

KJV (with Strong's)

For the morning {H1242} is to them even as {H3162} the shadow of death {H6757}: if one know {H5234} them, they are in the terrors {H1091} of the shadow of death {H6757}.

Complete Jewish Bible

For to all of them deep darkness is like morning, for the terrors of deep darkness are familiar to them.

Berean Standard Bible

For to them, deep darkness is their morning; surely they are friends with the terrors of darkness!

American Standard Version

For the morning is to all of them as thick darkness; For they know the terrors of the thick darkness.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 24:17 offers a profound psychological portrait of the wicked, whose deeds are committed under the veil of darkness. Far from welcoming the dawn as a symbol of new beginnings, they dread its arrival, for the morning light threatens to expose their hidden sins and bring the dreaded specter of accountability. This verse powerfully underscores the inherent terror and self-inflicted torment that accompanies a life of unrighteousness, where the very light that brings comfort and clarity to the righteous becomes a terrifying harbinger of potential exposure and judgment for those who choose to dwell in moral obscurity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 24:17 is embedded within Job's fourth and final discourse (chapters 21-24), a section where he continues his impassioned argument against the conventional wisdom espoused by his friends. Throughout this discourse, Job challenges the simplistic notion that suffering is always a direct consequence of personal sin, and prosperity a sign of righteousness. Instead, he observes and articulates the uncomfortable reality that many wicked individuals appear to flourish, committing acts of injustice, oppression, and violence without immediate divine retribution. Chapter 24 specifically details a catalog of such transgressions—including moving boundary markers, stealing, exploiting the vulnerable, and committing murder—many of which are executed under the cover of night. Verse 17 serves as a poignant psychological climax to this enumeration, shifting focus from the outward actions of the wicked to their internal state. It reveals that despite their apparent impunity, these evildoers are plagued by an internal dread, a fear of exposure that makes the morning light as terrifying as death itself. This internal torment stands as a subtle counterpoint to Job's broader struggle with the timing and nature of God's justice.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, the stark contrast between day and night carried significant practical, social, and moral implications. Daylight was universally associated with honest labor, public life, and transparent dealings, while the darkness of night provided a natural cloak for illicit activities, conspiracies, and crimes. Robbers, murderers, and adulterers, as described in Job 24, routinely exploited the cover of darkness to avoid detection and public shame. The imagery of "light" often symbolized truth, revelation, divine presence, and moral purity, whereas "darkness" represented ignorance, evil, chaos, and judgment. The Hebrew phrase "shadow of death" (Hebrew: _tsalmaveth_) was a well-understood and potent idiom, denoting not merely physical darkness but a profound, oppressive gloom, a state of extreme peril, or the very brink of the grave. For the wicked depicted by Job, the morning light, which typically brings relief and renewal, becomes a source of terror precisely because it threatens to strip away their protective cloak of darkness, exposing their deeds to the light of day, and potentially, to human justice or divine judgment.
* **Key Themes:** This verse significantly contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Job and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it vividly illustrates the **aversion to light and preference for darkness** characteristic of those whose deeds are evil, a profound spiritual truth echoed by Jesus in [John 3:19](/john/3-19 "John 3:19 - Men Love Darkness Rather Than Light"), where He states, "men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil." The wicked in Job 24:17 view dawn not as a welcome return but as a menacing threat, symbolizing exposure and accountability. Secondly, the verse highlights the profound **guilt and internal terror** that plague those who commit wicked acts. Despite any outward prosperity or temporary success in evading capture, their inner world is one of constant dread, where the anticipation of discovery makes the morning as ominous as the "shadow of death." This internal suffering serves as a form of self-punishment, hinting at the inherent, inescapable consequences of sin even before external judgment. Thirdly, while Job grapples with the perceived delay of God's justice, this verse subtly points to the reality of **divine justice (implicit)**. Even if delayed, the fear and internal torment experienced by the wicked are a testament to the ultimate truth that hidden deeds will eventually be brought to light, a principle affirmed in [1 Corinthians 4:5](/1_corinthians/4-5 "1 Corinthians 4:5 - God Will Bring to Light Hidden Things"). The verse suggests that the wicked's own conscience and fear of exposure serve as a precursor to the ultimate reckoning.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Morning (Hebrew, _bôqer'_):** From the root meaning "to cleave" or "to break forth," this word properly denotes the "dawn" or the "break of day." It signifies the time when light first appears, dispelling the darkness of night. In Job 24:17, its use is deeply ironic, as this natural symbol of renewal, clarity, and the start of honest labor becomes, for the wicked, a terrifying harbinger of exposure and judgment, rather than a welcome sight.
* **Shadow of death (Hebrew, _tsalmâveth'_):** This powerful compound noun, derived from "shadow" (צֵל, _tsel_) and "death" (מָוֶת, _māvet_), signifies a profound, oppressive gloom, a place of extreme peril, despair, and the very brink of the grave. It is not merely a physical shadow but an existential darkness that evokes ultimate dread. Its repeated use in this verse emphasizes the overwhelming and life-threatening nature of the fear that grips the wicked at the prospect of dawn.
* **Terrors (Hebrew, _ballâhâh'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to be startled" or "to be terrified," this noun refers to sudden, overwhelming fears, horrors, or dreadful things. It conveys an intense, visceral fright that grips the wicked, emphasizing the psychological anguish they experience. This is not mere discomfort but a paralyzing, horrifying dread that consumes them, often associated with divine judgment or the consequences of their own actions.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For the morning [is] to them even as the shadow of death:":** This clause establishes a profound and ironic inversion of natural order and human expectation. For most, the morning symbolizes hope, new beginnings, and the dispelling of fears associated with the night. However, for the wicked, whose transgressions are committed under the cloak of darkness (as described in the preceding verses of Job 24), the morning light is not a welcome sight but a terrifying harbinger. It is directly compared to the "shadow of death," signifying that the light of day, with its potential for exposure and accountability, is as dreadful and ominous to them as the deepest, most perilous darkness or the very approach of death itself. Their internal state is one of existential dread at the thought of their hidden deeds being brought to light.
* **"if [one] know [them, they are in] the terrors of the shadow of death.":** This second clause intensifies and clarifies the nature of the dread described in the first. The phrase "if one know them" implies recognition, identification, or, more critically, exposure of their true character or illicit activities. The terror of the morning is not merely abstract; it becomes intensely personal and overwhelming when their hidden identity or wicked deeds are on the verge of being revealed. The "terrors of the shadow of death" are not just a general sense of foreboding but a specific, intense, and horrifying fear that grips them when they realize their anonymity is compromised, and their actions are about to be laid bare. This suggests that the ultimate fear for the wicked is not just punishment, but public shame, the loss of their deceptive cover, and the inevitable confrontation with truth.

#### Literary Devices
Job 24:17 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message about the internal torment of the wicked. The most prominent is **Simile**, where the morning is directly compared to "the shadow of death" using the linking word "as" (Hebrew: _yachad_, meaning "alike" or "together with"). This comparison creates a striking **Irony**, as dawn, typically a universal symbol of hope, renewal, and safety, is transformed into a terrifying omen for those who operate in darkness. The phrase "shadow of death" itself is a potent **Metaphor** for profound dread, extreme danger, and the very brink of annihilation, intensifying the psychological state of the wicked. The use of "terrors" alongside "shadow of death" also employs **Hyperbole**, exaggerating the extent of their fear to emphasize its overwhelming, paralyzing nature. Finally, there is a clear **Contrast** between the typical human experience of dawn as a time of comfort and the wicked's experience of it as a source of dread, powerfully highlighting their perverse moral state and the inescapable internal consequences of their actions.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly illustrates the biblical principle that sin, particularly when hidden and unconfessed, creates an internal prison of fear and dread. It speaks to the inherent self-punishment that accompanies a life lived in opposition to God's light and truth. While the book of Job grapples extensively with the external prosperity of the wicked and the apparent delay of divine retribution, this verse offers a crucial insight into their internal spiritual bankruptcy and torment. It underscores that God's justice is not always immediate or externally manifest, but often begins with the conscience, where the light of truth, even if only anticipated, becomes a source of terror for those who love darkness more than light. This internal dread serves as a powerful theological foreshadowing of the ultimate revelation of all hidden deeds before God's righteous judgment seat.

* [John 3:19](/john/3-19 "John 3:19 - Men Love Darkness Rather Than Light")
* [Psalm 139:11-12](/psalms/139-11-12 "Psalm 139:11-12 - Darkness and Light are Alike to God")
* [Proverbs 4:19](/proverbs/4-19 "Proverbs 4:19 - The Way of the Wicked is Darkness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 24:17 serves as a stark and piercing reminder that a life lived in the shadows of hidden sin, deceit, and injustice ultimately leads to profound internal fear and spiritual death, regardless of outward appearances or temporary prosperity. The peace that comes from living in integrity and transparency is a profound and incomparable blessing, for those who walk in the light have nothing to hide and can genuinely welcome the dawn as a symbol of God's faithfulness and new mercies. This verse challenges us to deeply examine our own lives: are there areas where we consciously or unconsciously prefer darkness to light, where we dread the possibility of exposure or accountability? True freedom and genuine security are found not in successfully concealing our wrongs, but in humbly bringing them into the illuminating light of God's grace and truth, confessing them, and embracing the path of repentance and transformation. For the believer, the morning should always bring hope, renewal, and the joy of God's presence, never the terror of anticipated judgment.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What hidden aspects of my life might cause me to dread the "light" of exposure or accountability, whether from God or others?**
* **How does a commitment to transparency and integrity, in all areas of my life, free me from the "terrors of the shadow of death" that Job describes?**
* **In what ways does this verse challenge the common perception that outward success or the absence of immediate consequences equates to inner peace or true well-being?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of "shadow of death" in Job 24:17?**

Answer: The phrase "shadow of death" (Hebrew: _tsalmaveth_) is a highly evocative and profound term that extends far beyond mere physical darkness. It signifies an oppressive, existential gloom, a place of extreme peril, deep despair, and the very brink of the grave. In Job 24:17, its significance lies in its powerful portrayal of the psychological state of the wicked. For them, the morning light, which typically brings comfort, hope, and clarity, is as terrifying and foreboding as encountering death itself. It symbolizes the profound existential dread and intense terror that accompanies their hidden deeds, making the dawn a harbinger of potential exposure and judgment, rather than a source of relief. This term is also famously used in [Psalm 23:4](/psalms/23-4 "Psalm 23:4 - Valley of the Shadow of Death") to describe a place of ultimate danger and fear, from which God's presence provides comfort.

**How does this verse relate to God's justice, given Job's struggle with it?**

Answer: While Job spends much of his discourse lamenting the apparent lack of immediate divine justice for the wicked, Job 24:17 subtly hints at an inherent, internal form of justice that is already at work. Even if the wicked escape human detection and outward punishment, they cannot escape the torment of their own conscience and the constant dread of exposure. The "terrors of the shadow of death" they experience at dawn are a form of self-inflicted punishment, a psychological consequence of their evil deeds. This suggests that God's justice is not solely external or delayed, but also works internally, creating an inescapable fear and unrest within the hearts of those who defy His moral order. It foreshadows the ultimate truth that nothing is hidden from God, and all deeds will eventually be brought to light, as stated in [Hebrews 4:13](/hebrews/4-13 "Hebrews 4:13 - Nothing is Hidden from God"), which declares that "all things are naked and open unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do."

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job 24:17, with its stark portrayal of the wicked dreading the light and dwelling in the "shadow of death," finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. Jesus declares Himself to be the [Light of the World](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, the Light of the World"), who came precisely to dispel the spiritual darkness of sin and the ultimate "shadow of death." For those who choose to remain in their wickedness and refuse His light, His coming is indeed a terrifying reality, exposing their deeds and bringing judgment, as prophesied in [John 3:19-20](/john/3-19-20 "John 3:19-20 - Men Love Darkness Rather Than Light"): "And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil." However, for those who come to Him in faith and repentance, His light brings not terror, but salvation, peace, and eternal life. Christ Himself entered the ultimate "shadow of death" through His crucifixion, not as one dreading exposure, but as the sinless Lamb of God who willingly bore the darkness of the world's sin and its judgment. By conquering death and rising gloriously from the grave, He forever abolished the power of the "shadow of death" for all who believe in Him, offering them true freedom from fear and the promise of eternal light ([Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14-15 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Christ Destroyed the Power of Death")). His glorious return will be the ultimate dawn, a glorious revelation that will bring unending joy to the righteous and inescapable, just judgment to those who persist in darkness ([Revelation 1:7](/revelation/1-7 "Revelation 1:7 - Every Eye Will See Him")).

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

Job 3:5

Let darkness and the shadow of death stain it; let a cloud dwell upon it; let the blackness of the day terrify it.

Psalms 73:18

Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction.

Psalms 73:19

How are they [brought] into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.

2 Corinthians 5:10

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things [done] in [his] body, according to that he hath done, whether [it be] good or bad.

2 Corinthians 5:11

Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.

Jeremiah 2:26

As the thief is ashamed when he is found, so is the house of Israel ashamed; they, their kings, their princes, and their priests, and their prophets,

Revelation 6:16

And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: