TRV
Translation
King James Version
¶ He is swift as the waters; their portion is cursed in the earth: he beholdeth not the way of the vineyards.
Complete Jewish Bible
"May they be scum on the surface of the water, may their share of land be cursed, may no one turn on the way of their vineyards,
Berean Standard Bible
They are but foam on the surface of the water; their portion of the land is cursed, so that no one turns toward their vineyards.
American Standard Version
Swiftly theypass awayupon the face of the waters; Their portion is cursed in the earth: They turn not into the way of the vineyards.
World English Bible Messianic
“They are foam on the surface of the waters. Their portion is cursed in the earth. They don’t turn into the way of the vineyards.
Geneva Bible (1599)
He is swift vpon the waters: their portion shalbe cursed in the earth: he will not behold the way of the vineyardes.
Young's Literal Translation
Light he is on the face of the waters, Vilified is their portion in the earth, He turneth not the way of vineyards.
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In the KJVVerse 13,455 of 31,102
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Commentary on Job 24 verses 18–25
18 ¶ He is swift as the waters; their portion is cursed in the earth: he beholdeth not the way of the vineyards.
19 Drought and heat consume the snow waters: so doth the grave those which have sinned.
20 The womb shall forget him; the worm shall feed sweetly on him; he shall be no more remembered; and wickedness shall be broken as a tree.
21 He evil entreateth the barren that beareth not: and doeth not good to the widow.
22 He draweth also the mighty with his power: he riseth up, and no man is sure of life.
23 Though it be given him to be in safety, whereon he resteth; yet his eyes are upon their ways.
24 They are exalted for a little while, but are gone and brought low; they are taken out of the way as all other, and cut off as the tops of the ears of corn.
25 And if it be not so now, who will make me a liar, and make my speech nothing worth?
Job here, in the conclusion of his discourse,
I. Gives some further instances of the wickedness of these cruel bloody men. 1. Some are pirates and robbers at sea. To this many learned interpreters apply those difficult expressions (Job 24:18), He is swift upon the waters. Privateers choose those ships that are the best sailors. In these swift ships they cruise from one channel to another, to pick up prizes; and this brings them in so much wealth that their portion is cursed in the earth, and they behold not the way of the vineyards, that is (as bishop Patrick explains it), they despise the employment of those who till the ground and plant vineyards as poor and unprofitable. But others make this a further description of the conduct of those sinners that are afraid of the light: if they be discovered, they get away as fast as they can, and choose to lurk, not in the vineyards, for fear of being discovered, but in some cursed portion, a lonely and desolate place, which nobody looks after. 2. Some are abusive to those that are in trouble, and add affliction to the afflicted. Barrenness was looked upon as a great reproach, and those that fall under that affliction they upbraid with it, as Peninnah did Hannah, on purpose to vex them and make them to fret, which is a barbarous thing. This is evil entreating the barren that beareth not (Job 24:21), or those that are childless, and so want the arrows others have in their quiver, which enable them to deal with their enemy in the gate, Psa 127:5. They take that advantage against and are oppressive to them. As the fatherless, so the childless, are in some degree helpless. For the same reason it is a cruel thing to hurt the widow, to whom we ought to do good; and not doing good, when it is in our power, is doing hurt. 3. There are those who, by inuring themselves to cruelty, come at last to be so exceedingly boisterous that they are the terror of the mighty in the land of the living (Job 24:22): "He draws the mighty into a snare with his power; even the greatest are not able to stand before him when he is in his mad fits: he rises up in his passion, and lays about him with so much fury that no man is sure of his life; nor can he at the same time be sure of his own, for his hand is against every man and every man's hand against him," Gen 16:12. One would wonder how any man can take pleasure in making all about him afraid of him, yet there are those that do.
II. He shows that these daring sinners prosper, and are at ease for a while, nay, and often end their days in peace, as Ishmael, who, though he was a man of such a character as is here given, yet both lived and died in the presence of all his brethren, as we are told, Gen 16:12; Gen 25:18 : Of these sinners here it is said, 1. That it is given them to be in safety, Job 24:23. They seem to be under the special protection of the divine Providence; and one would wonder how they escape with life through so many dangers as they run themselves into. 2. That they rest upon this, that is, they rely upon this as sufficient to warrant all their violences. Because sentence against their evil works is not executed speedily they think that there is no great evil in them, and that God is not displeased with them, nor will ever call them to an account. Their prosperity is their security. 3. That they are exalted for a while. They seem to be the favourites of heaven, and value themselves as making the best figure on earth. They are set up in honour, set up (as they think) out of the reach of danger, and lifted up in the pride of their own spirits. 4. That, at length, they are carried out of the world very silently and gently, and without any remarkable disgrace or terror. "They go down to the grave as easily as snow-water sinks into the dry ground when it is melted by the sun;" so bishop Patrick explains Job 24:19. To the same purport he paraphrases Job 24:20, The womb shall forget him, etc. "God sets no such mark of his displeasure upon him but that his mother may soon forget him. The hand of justice does not hang him on a gibbet for the birds to feed on; but he is carried to his grave like other men, to be the sweet food of worms. There he lies quietly, and neither he nor his wickedness is any more remembered than a tree which is broken to shivers." And Job 24:24, They are taken out of the way as all others, that is, "they are shut up in their graves like all other men; nay, they die as easily (without those tedious pains which some endure) as an ear of corn is cropped with your hand." Compare this with Solomon's observation (Ecc 8:10), I saw the wicked buried, who had come and gone from the place of the holy, and they were forgotten.
III. He foresees their fall however, and that their death, though they die in ease and honour, will be their ruin. God's eyes are upon their ways, Job 24:23. Though he keep silence, and seem to connive at them, yet he takes notice, and keeps account of all their wickedness, and will make it to appear shortly that their most secret sins, which they thought no eye should see (Job 24:15), were under his eye and will be called over again. Here is no mention of the punishment of these sinners in the other world, but it is intimated in the particular notice taken of the consequences of their death. 1. The consumption of the body in the grave, though common to all, yet to them is in the nature of a punishment for their sin. The grave shall consume those that have sinned; that land of darkness will be the lot of those that love darkness rather than light. The bodies they pampered shall be a feast for worms, which shall feed as sweetly on them as ever they fed on the pleasures and gains of their sins. 2. Though they thought to make themselves a great name by their wealth, and power, and mighty achievements, yet their memorial perished with them, Psa 9:6. He that made himself so much talked of shall, when he is dead, be no more remembered with honour; his name shall rot, Pro 10:7. Those that durst not give him his due character while he lived shall not spare him when he is dead; so that the womb that bore him, his own mother, shall forget him, that is, shall avoid making mention of him, and shall think that the greatest kindness she can do him, since no good can be said of him. That honour which is got by sin will soon turn into shame. 3. The wickedness they thought to establish in their families shall be broken as a tree; all their wicked projects shall be blasted, and all their wicked hopes dashed and buried with them. 4. Their pride shall be brought down and laid in the dust (Job 24:24); and, in mercy to the world, they shall be taken out of the way, and all their power and prosperity shall be cut off. You may seek them, and they shall not be found. Job owns that wicked people will be miserable at last, miserable on the other side death, but utterly denies what his friends asserted, that ordinarily they are miserable in this life.
IV. He concludes with a bold challenge to all that were present to disprove what he had said if they could (Job 24:25): "If it be not so now, as I have declared, and if it do not thence follow that I am unjustly condemned and censured, let those that can undertake to prove that my discourse is either, 1. False in itself, and then they prove me a liar; or, 2. Foreign, and nothing to the purpose, and then they prove my speech frivolous and nothing worth." That indeed which is false is nothing worth; where there is not truth, how can there be goodness? But those that speak the words of truth and soberness need not fear having what they say brought to the test, but can cheerfully submit it to a fair examination, as Job does here.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 18–25. Public domain.
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Gregory the DialogistAD 604
79. From the plural number he returns to the singular because most frequently one person begins what is bad, and numbers by imitating him follow after, but the fault is primarily his, who to the bad men following after furnished examples of wickedness; and hence the sentence frequently returns to him who was the leader in sin. Now the surface of water is carried hither and thither by the breath of the air, and not being steadied with any fixedness is put in motion every where. And so the mind of the wicked man is ‘lighter than the surface of water,’ in that every breath of temptation that touches it, draws it on without any retarding of resistance. For if we imagine the unstable heart of any bad man, what do we discover but a surface of water set in the wind? For that man one while the breath of anger drives on, now the breath of pride, now the breath of lust, now the breath of envy, now the breath of falsehood forces along. And so he is ‘light above the surface of the water,’ whom every wind of error when it comes drives before it. Whence too it is well said by the Psalmist, O my God, make them like a wheel, as the stubble before the wind. For the wicked are ‘made like a wheel,’ in that being sent into the round of labour, whilst the things that are before they neglect, and those which ought to be given up they follow, in the hind parts they are lifted up, and in the fore parts they fall. And they are likewise rightly compared to ‘stubble before the face of the wind,’ in that, when the breath of temptation comes upon them, having no principle of gravity to rest upon, they are only lifted up to be dashed to the ground, and they often account themselves of some merit in proportion as the blast of error bears them on high. It goes on;
Let their portion be cursed in the earth; and let him not walk by the way of the vineyards.
80. Whoever in the present life does what is right and meets with misfortunes, is seen indeed to travail in adversity, but for the blessing of the everlasting inheritance he is finished complete; but whoever does what is bad and yet meets with good fortune, and does not even by the bountifulness of blessings withhold himself from wicked deeds, is seen indeed to prosper, but is tied fast by the bond of everlasting cursing. Hence it is rightly said now, Let their portion be cursed in the earth, in that though he is blessed for a time, yet he is held fast in the bond of cursing. Concerning whom too it is fitly added, He walketh not by the way of the vineyards. For ‘the way of the vineyards,’ is the rightness of the Churches. Wherein nothing hinders but that we understand either the heretic or every carnal man, because ‘the way of the vineyards,’ i.e. the rightness of the Churches, is parted with, when either the right faith or the right rule of just living is not held. For he ‘walks by the way of the Vineyards,’ who taking to heart the preaching of the Holy Catholic Church, deviates neither from the right line of faith nor of good deeds. Since to ‘walk in the way of the vineyards’ is to behold the Fathers of Holy Church as hanging clusters of the vine, whose words whilst he heeds in the toils of the journey, he is intoxicated with the love of Eternity.
Gregory the DialogistAD 604
MORALS ON THE BOOK OF JOB 16.77-79
And so it is well said, “If the morning suddenly appears, it is to them even as the shadow of death.” For “the morning” is the mind of the righteous, which, leaving behind the darkness of sin, now breaks out into the light of eternity. As it is also said of the holy church, “Who is she that looks forth as the morning?” Therefore, in the same measure that every righteous person shining with the light of righteousness in this present life is reared to a height with honors, so the same measure of the darkness of death comes before the eyes of the wicked, in that they who remember that they have done bad things are in fear of being corrected. They always desire to be free in their iniquities, to live free from correction and to delight from sin. Its fatal mirth is itself appropriately described in the words that are directly introduced: “And they walk so in darkness, as in the light.” For with an evil mind they delight in deeds of wickedness. Through their sin they are day by day being dragged to punishment and are full of assurance. Hence it is said by Solomon that “there are wicked people who are as secure as if they had done the deeds of righteous.” Concerning them it is written that they “rejoice to do evil and delight in the most wicked doings.” Thus “they walk in darkness as in the light,” in that they delight in the night of sin as if the light of righteousness were spread around them.…“He is light on the face of the water.” From the plural number he returns to the singular, because most frequently one person begins what is bad, and numbers follow after by imitating him, but the fault is primarily his, whom the bad people follow after being furnished examples of wickedness; and hence the sentence frequently returns to him who was the leader in sin. Now the surface of water is carried here and there by the breath of air. Not being steadied with any stability it is put in motion everywhere. And so the mind of the wicked is “lighter than the surface of water,” in that every breath of temptation that touches it, draws it in without any retarding resistance. For if we imagine the unstable heart of any bad person, what do we discover but a surface of water set in the wind?
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Job 24:18 is a poignant declaration within Job's impassioned discourse, confronting the perplexing reality of the wicked's apparent prosperity and affirming their ultimate, inevitable judgment. It vividly portrays their transient success as fleeting as rushing water, their earthly inheritance as divinely cursed, and their path as utterly devoid of true blessing, symbolized by the fruitful way of the vineyards. This verse serves as a powerful counterpoint to Job's earlier laments about God's seemingly delayed justice, asserting the certainty of divine retribution and the spiritual barrenness that characterizes those who reject God's ways.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Job 24:18 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its profound theological message. The most prominent is Simile, evident in the phrase "swift as the waters," which vividly compares the transient nature of the wicked's prosperity to the rapid, unstable flow of water. This creates a strong visual image of impermanence and inevitable downfall. Symbolism is rich throughout the verse: "waters" symbolize instability and potential destruction; "portion" represents one's destiny or inheritance; and "vineyards" are powerful symbols of blessing, prosperity, and divine favor. The entire verse functions as a form of Imagery, painting a stark picture of the wicked's ultimate fate through concrete, relatable terms. Furthermore, there is an implicit Contrast between the apparent, temporary success of the wicked and their divinely ordained, cursed end, as well as a contrast between their path and the "way of the vineyards," which represents the path of righteousness and true blessing, highlighting the divergent destinies of the righteous and the unrighteous.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 24:18 stands as a powerful testament to the biblical truth that divine justice, though sometimes delayed from a human perspective, is ultimately certain and absolute. It challenges the common human tendency to despair or envy when the wicked appear to prosper, asserting that their gains are superficial and fleeting. The verse underscores God's sovereignty over the earth and His moral order, affirming that He will not allow unrighteousness to triumph indefinitely. It serves as a reminder that true blessing and lasting prosperity are found not in worldly accumulation or unrighteous gain, but in walking in God's ways, which lead to spiritual fruitfulness and eternal favor, contrasting sharply with the cursed portion of those who reject Him. This passage offers a profound theological comfort, reassuring believers that God's justice will prevail, and a stern warning that the path of wickedness leads only to ultimate barrenness and judgment.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 24:18 offers both profound comfort and a sobering warning for contemporary believers. In a world where injustice often seems to prevail and the ungodly appear to flourish, this verse provides an anchor of hope, reminding us that God's ultimate judgment is sure and that the prosperity of the wicked is but a fleeting illusion. It calls us to resist the temptation to envy their temporary gains or to question God's justice based on immediate circumstances. Instead, we are encouraged to trust in God's perfect timing and His unwavering commitment to righteousness, understanding that His perspective transcends our limited temporal view. For those who might be tempted to compromise their integrity for worldly success, the verse serves as a stark warning: the "portion" gained through unrighteousness is ultimately "cursed," leading not to true fulfillment but to spiritual barrenness and ruin. Our task is to diligently "behold the way of the vineyards"—to pursue the path of righteousness, obedience, and spiritual fruitfulness, knowing that this is where true and lasting blessing resides, regardless of present appearances. This verse compels us to align our hearts with God's eternal justice rather than the world's fleeting standards.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Is Job 24:18 a universal prophecy or specific to Job's context?
Answer: While rooted in Job's personal struggle with the problem of suffering and divine justice, the theological assertions and vivid imagery of Job 24:18 resonate far beyond Job's immediate context. It articulates a universal principle about the transient nature of unrighteous prosperity and the certainty of divine judgment, a truth echoed throughout the Old and New Testaments. The "swiftness" of the wicked's downfall and their "cursed portion" are foundational tenets of God's moral governance, applicable to all who reject His ways. It is a timeless declaration of God's ultimate triumph over evil, even when it appears to flourish for a season, reinforcing themes found in passages like Psalm 37 and Psalm 92.
What is the significance of "vineyards" in this verse?
Answer: In biblical literature, vineyards are rich symbols of blessing, prosperity, peace, and the fruit of righteous labor. They often represent God's covenant favor and the abundance He bestows upon His people (e.g., Isaiah 5:1-7, Psalm 128:3). When Job 24:18 states that the wicked "beholdeth not the way of the vineyards," it signifies their profound spiritual barrenness and their exclusion from true, lasting blessing. They are either willfully ignorant of, or divinely cut off from, the path that leads to genuine flourishing and God's favor. Their pursuit of unrighteous gain leads them away from the very source of life and peace, leaving them without true spiritual fruit or a blessed inheritance. This imagery powerfully contrasts the barrenness of the wicked's path with the abundant life found in God's ways, which are likened to a fruitful vine.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job 24:18, with its stark portrayal of the wicked's transient prosperity and cursed portion, finds its ultimate fulfillment and resolution in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While Job wrestled with the delayed justice of God, Christ's first coming inaugurated the kingdom of God, and His second coming will bring about its full and final manifestation of justice. Jesus himself declared, "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser" (John 15:1), thereby identifying Himself as the ultimate "vineyard"—the source of all true life, blessing, and spiritual fruitfulness. Those who who are "in Christ" are grafted into this true vine (John 15:5), receiving a portion that is eternally blessed, not cursed. Furthermore, Christ bore the ultimate curse of sin on the cross, becoming a curse for us to redeem us from the curse of the law (Galatians 3:13), thereby transforming the "cursed portion" of humanity into a blessed inheritance for all who believe. The "swiftness" of the wicked's downfall foreshadows the certain judgment Christ will execute at His return, when all will stand before the Great White Throne (Revelation 20:11-15), and the sheep will be separated from the goats (Matthew 25:31-46). Thus, Job's lament finds its answer in the Lord Jesus, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6), offering the true "way of the vineyards" to all who follow Him.