Job 24:2

KJV

[Some] remove the landmarks; they violently take away flocks, and feed [thereof].

KJV (with Strong's)

Some remove {H5381} the landmarks {H1367}; they violently take away {H1497} flocks {H5739}, and feed {H7462} thereof.

Complete Jewish Bible

There are those who move boundary markers; they carry off flocks and pasture them;

Berean Standard Bible

Men move boundary stones; they pasture stolen flocks.

American Standard Version

There are that remove the landmarks; They violently take away flocks, and feed them.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 24:2 vividly portrays the profound injustices Job observes in the world, serving as a concrete illustration of his ongoing struggle to reconcile the prosperity of the wicked with the suffering of the righteous. This verse specifically condemns two egregious violations of ancient societal and legal norms: the illicit removal of established property boundaries and the violent seizure and consumption of another's essential livestock, thereby highlighting the ruthless exploitation of the vulnerable by the unscrupulous.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 24 continues Job’s impassioned argument against the simplistic retribution theology espoused by his friends. He has consistently maintained that the wicked often prosper while the righteous suffer, directly contradicting their assertion that suffering is always a direct result of sin. In this chapter, Job shifts from general lament to a detailed, almost journalistic, catalogue of specific injustices he observes in society. [Job 24](/job/24 "Job 24 - Job's Lament on Injustice") paints a grim picture of a world where the powerful exploit the weak with impunity, and verse 2 serves as a stark, tangible example of such moral decay, setting the stage for his deeper questions about God's apparent non-intervention.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Near Eastern societies, particularly agrarian ones like Israel, placed immense value on land and livestock as the primary sources of wealth, inheritance, and sustenance. Land boundaries were typically marked by stones or other fixed markers, known as "landmarks," and their placement was often consecrated and legally protected. Moving these markers (as mentioned in [Deuteronomy 19:14](/deuteronomy/19-14 "Deuteronomy 19:14 - Prohibition Against Moving Landmarks") and [Deuteronomy 27:17](/deuteronomy/27-17 "Deuteronomy 27:17 - Curse for Moving a Neighbor's Landmark")) was a severe act of fraud, akin to dispossessing someone of their rightful property, often targeting the vulnerable who lacked legal recourse or powerful protectors. Similarly, flocks represented a family's capital, food supply, and economic security. To "violently take away" (a forceful act of robbery) and then "feed thereof" was a ruthless act of exploitation that directly threatened a family's survival, demonstrating a complete disregard for communal well-being and established law.
* **Key Themes:** Job 24:2 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Job. Foremost is the theme of **Pervasive Injustice**, as Job highlights the widespread moral failings and exploitation that plague society, directly challenging the notion of immediate divine recompense. This verse also underscores the **Suffering of the Righteous and Vulnerable**, as those who are victims of such crimes are typically the poor and defenseless. It further emphasizes **Violation of Covenant and Social Norms**, as these acts directly contravene established laws and ethical principles designed to protect the community. Ultimately, these observations fuel Job's central theological struggle: reconciling God's justice and sovereignty with the apparent **Divine Hiddenness or Non-Intervention** in the face of rampant evil, a question that permeates [the entire book of Job](/job/1 "The Book of Job - Suffering and Sovereignty").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Landmarks (Hebrew, _gevul'_):** This term refers to a boundary or border, often marked by a stone or other physical marker. In ancient agrarian societies, these markers were crucial for defining land ownership and inheritance. Their removal was not merely a casual act but a deliberate, fraudulent, and often irreversible violation of established property rights, akin to theft of the most fundamental kind.
* **Violently take away (Hebrew, _gazal'_):** This verb signifies seizing by force, robbing, or plundering. It implies an aggressive, unlawful, and often brutal act of dispossession, distinguishing it from simple theft. The use of _gazal_ highlights the predatory nature of the offenders, who do not merely steal but actively overpower and dispossess their victims.
* **Flocks (Hebrew, _tso'n'_):** This collective noun refers to sheep and goats, which constituted the primary form of wealth, sustenance, and capital in a pastoral economy. To "violently take away flocks" was to strip a family of its essential livelihood, its food, its clothing, and its means of trade, leaving them destitute and vulnerable.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"[Some] remove the landmarks;":** This clause describes a clandestine yet devastating act of fraud. The "some" refers to the wicked and unscrupulous individuals Job observes. By secretly or brazenly shifting boundary markers, they illegally expand their own property at the expense of their neighbors, particularly the poor and defenseless who might not have the means or power to contest such an injustice. This act undermines the very fabric of communal order and respect for property.
* **"they violently take away flocks, and feed [thereof].":** This second clause details an overt act of robbery and exploitation. The "they" are the same wicked individuals, who not only seize another's vital livestock by force but then proceed to consume or profit from it. The phrase "feed thereof" emphasizes the brazenness and self-serving nature of the act, demonstrating a complete disregard for the victim's well-being and survival, turning their stolen livelihood into personal gain.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs powerful **Imagery** to paint a vivid and concrete picture of injustice. The acts of "removing landmarks" and "violently taking away flocks" are tangible, relatable examples of oppression that would have resonated deeply with an ancient audience dependent on land and livestock. The directness of the language, particularly the verb "violently take away" (_gazal_), conveys the aggressive and destructive nature of the wicked. The verse functions as a specific **Exemplum** within Job's broader **Lament** and **Protest**, providing empirical evidence for his argument that the wicked often act with impunity. The **Juxtaposition** of established, sacred boundaries (landmarks) with their ruthless violation underscores the moral depravity Job observes, highlighting the breakdown of societal order and justice.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The observations in Job 24:2 resonate deeply with the broader biblical emphasis on justice, property rights, and the protection of the vulnerable. Throughout Scripture, God is portrayed as fundamentally just, and His Law consistently upholds the rights of individuals, especially the poor and marginalized. The acts Job describes—fraudulent land appropriation and violent theft of livelihood—are direct affronts to divine commands and the very fabric of a righteous society. Job's lament here is not merely a complaint about personal suffering, but a profound theological cry concerning the apparent disconnect between God's known character of justice and the widespread, unpunished injustice he witnesses in the world. This tension drives much of the book's theological inquiry, forcing a re-evaluation of simplistic understandings of divine retribution and human suffering.

* [Deuteronomy 19:14](/deuteronomy/19-14 "Deuteronomy 19:14 - Prohibition Against Moving Landmarks")
* [Proverbs 23:10](/proverbs/23-10 "Proverbs 23:10 - Do Not Move Ancient Landmarks")
* [Micah 6:8](/micah/6-8 "Micah 6:8 - What the Lord Requires")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 24:2, though rooted in ancient agrarian life, offers profound and enduring principles for contemporary reflection and application. The "removal of landmarks" can be understood as any act that unjustly alters or disregards established boundaries of ownership, rights, or integrity—whether in digital spaces (e.g., identity theft, cyber fraud), economic realms (e.g., predatory lending, corporate malfeasance, intellectual property theft), or social structures (e.g., systemic injustices that dispossess marginalized communities). Similarly, "violently taking away flocks" speaks to any form of exploitation that strips individuals or families of their essential livelihood or resources, such as wage theft, unethical business practices, or the unjust seizure of assets. This verse compels us to critically examine the hidden and overt injustices in our world and challenges believers to embody God's character of justice. It calls us not only to refrain from such acts ourselves but also to actively advocate for fairness, integrity, and the protection of the vulnerable, recognizing that true faith demands a commitment to righteousness in all our dealings.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways do we witness the "removal of landmarks" or the "violent taking away of flocks" in our modern society, beyond their literal ancient forms?**
* **How does Job's lament about unpunished injustice challenge or deepen our understanding of God's sovereignty and intervention in the world today?**
* **What practical steps can individuals and communities of faith take to uphold justice, protect the vulnerable, and counter exploitation in their spheres of influence?**

### FAQ
**What is the deeper significance of "removing landmarks" in ancient Israelite society?**

Answer: In ancient Israel, "landmarks" (Hebrew: _gevul_) were physical markers, typically stones, that delineated property boundaries. These were not merely legal markers but held profound social, economic, and even spiritual significance. Land was considered a divine gift, an inheritance from God, and its boundaries were sacred and inviolable. Moving a landmark was a severe act of fraud and theft, equivalent to dispossessing a family of their ancestral inheritance and livelihood. It was explicitly forbidden in the Mosaic Law, as seen in [Deuteronomy 19:14](/deuteronomy/19-14 "Deuteronomy 19:14 - Prohibition Against Moving Landmarks") and [Deuteronomy 27:17](/deuteronomy/27-17 "Deuteronomy 27:17 - Curse for Moving a Neighbor's Landmark"), and was considered an act of injustice against the vulnerable, particularly the poor and widows, who often lacked the power to defend their property.

**Why does Job choose these specific examples of injustice in his lament?**

Answer: Job selects these particular injustices—the removal of landmarks and the violent theft of flocks—because they are concrete, visceral, and widely understood examples of exploitation that directly impact the most vulnerable members of society. These acts represent fundamental violations of property rights and the means of survival, making them powerful illustrations of the pervasive wickedness Job observes. By detailing such tangible offenses, Job provides empirical evidence for his central argument: that the wicked often prosper and commit egregious acts with apparent impunity, directly challenging the simplistic retribution theology of his friends. These examples underscore the depth of suffering experienced by the righteous and fuel Job's profound questions about God's justice and apparent non-intervention in the face of such blatant evil, which is a key theme throughout [the book of Job](/job/1 "The Book of Job - Suffering and Sovereignty").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Job 24:2 vividly portrays the brokenness and injustice of a fallen world, it points forward to the ultimate solution found in Jesus Christ. The acts of "removing landmarks" and "violently taking away flocks" highlight humanity's propensity for sin and exploitation, a reality that Christ came to confront and redeem. Jesus, the perfectly righteous one, was himself the victim of profound injustice, condemned and crucified despite his blamelessness, as prophesied in [Isaiah 53](/isaiah/53 "Isaiah 53 - The Suffering Servant"). He is the [Good Shepherd](/john/10-11 "John 10:11 - Jesus the Good Shepherd") who does not violently take away but lays down His life for His sheep, protecting them from the true predator, sin and death. His teachings consistently championed the cause of the poor and oppressed, condemning those who exploit the vulnerable, as seen in His parables about the rich fool or the unrighteous steward. Ultimately, Christ's atoning work on the cross addresses the very root of the sin that gives rise to such injustices, offering forgiveness and the power to live righteously. His future return will bring about the full and final establishment of God's perfect kingdom, where justice will roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream, as envisioned in [Amos 5:24](/amos/5-24 "Amos 5:24 - Let Justice Roll Down"). In Him, the ultimate landmark of God's righteous rule is established forever, and His flock is eternally secure.

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

Deuteronomy 19:14

¶ Thou shalt not remove thy neighbour's landmark, which they of old time have set in thine inheritance, which thou shalt inherit in the land that the LORD thy God giveth thee to possess it.

Proverbs 23:10

¶ Remove not the old landmark; and enter not into the fields of the fatherless:

Deuteronomy 27:17

Cursed [be] he that removeth his neighbour's landmark. And all the people shall say, Amen.

Proverbs 22:28

¶ Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.

Hosea 5:10

The princes of Judah were like them that remove the bound: [therefore] I will pour out my wrath upon them like water.

Job 5:5

Whose harvest the hungry eateth up, and taketh it even out of the thorns, and the robber swalloweth up their substance.

Job 1:17

While he [was] yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.