Job 24:2

Job 24:2 KJV Commentary

Job 24:2, from the King James Version, presents a vivid picture of the injustices Job observes in the world. As part of his ongoing discourse concerning the prosperity of the wicked and the suffering of the righteous, Job laments the widespread acts of oppression that seem to go unpunished. This verse highlights two specific, egregious violations of ancient societal and legal norms.

Context of Job 24:2

In Job 24, Job continues to grapple with the perplexing reality that wicked individuals often thrive while the righteous endure hardship. He describes various forms of exploitation and violence committed by those who disregard God and their fellow human beings. Verse 2 serves as a concrete example of such moral failings, illustrating how the powerful and unscrupulous take advantage of the vulnerable by violating fundamental property rights and engaging in blatant theft. This passage is part of Job's argument that despite divine oversight, the world is rife with injustice, prompting his deep questions about God's immediate intervention.

Key Themes and Messages

• Violation of Property Rights: The phrase "Some remove the landmarks" refers to the ancient practice of altering or moving boundary stones that marked land ownership. In agrarian societies, land was the primary form of wealth and inheritance, and its boundaries were considered sacred and legally protected. Moving a landmark was a severe act of theft, akin to dispossessing someone of their rightful property, often targeting the poor or those without strong protectors. This act was strictly forbidden in Mosaic Law, as seen in Deuteronomy 19:14 and the curse pronounced in Deuteronomy 27:17.
• Theft and Exploitation of Livelihood: The second part, "they violently take away flocks, and feed thereof," describes outright robbery and the subsequent consumption of another's vital resources. Flocks were essential for sustenance, clothing, and trade, representing a family's capital and livelihood. To "violently take away" (implying plunder or robbery) and then "feed thereof" (to use for personal gain) demonstrates a ruthless disregard for the victim's well-being and a brazen act of exploitation.
• Pervasive Injustice: Together, these two acts underscore the pervasive injustice and oppression that Job observes in society. The verse highlights the plight of the defenseless who are often the victims of such unscrupulous actions, reinforcing Job's struggle to reconcile these harsh realities with his understanding of a just God.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "landmarks" is gevul (גְּבוּל), referring to a defined boundary or border, often marked by a stone. Its removal was a deliberate act of fraud. The phrase "violently take away" translates the Hebrew verb gazal (גָּזַל), which specifically means to seize by violence, to rob, or to plunder. This word emphasizes the aggressive, unlawful, and forceful nature of the theft, distinguishing it from simple pilfering.

Practical Application

While physical landmarks may be less common today, the principles of Job 24:2 remain profoundly relevant. Modern equivalents of "removing landmarks" can include various forms of fraud, such as identity theft, intellectual property theft, cybercrime that alters digital boundaries, or corporate practices that unjustly redefine ownership or rights. "Violently taking away flocks" can be seen in contemporary forms of exploitation, including wage theft, predatory lending, unethical business practices that enrich some at the expense of others' legitimate earnings or resources, or even the unjust seizure of assets. This verse serves as a timeless reminder of the importance of upholding justice, respecting property and rights, and protecting the vulnerable from exploitation. It calls believers to advocate for fairness and integrity in all dealings, reflecting God's own character of justice and righteousness, as expressed in passages like Micah 6:8.