Job 24:14-15
The murderer rises before it is light, that he may kill the poor and needy, and in the night he is like a thief. The eye of the adulterer also waits for the twilight, saying, ‘No eye will see me’; and he veils his face.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The verse reveals the chilling efficiency of evil – the murderer doesn't just strike randomly, but is active in the earliest light, targeting the vulnerable, and then shifts to operating like a thief by night. This isn't just about being a criminal; it highlights how sin can be both brazenly violent and stealthily deceptive, using any hour to exploit weakness.
Job is describing the utter depravity of the wicked, contrasting their actions with God's justice. This verse paints a vivid picture of a murderer who rises with the early dawn, preying on the vulnerable poor and needy, then transforms into a stealthy thief under the cover of night, illustrating their deep-seated evil and pervasive criminality.
Ever notice how people can be incredibly dedicated to doing the wrong thing? Job points out that the wicked are just as driven as the diligent, but their energy is spent on destruction.
The Wicked Work Hard
Job describes the murderer rising with the first hint of light, using the early morning hours with the same dedication a laborer uses for honest work. This isn't laziness; it's active pursuit of evil. The poor and needy, often forced to rise early for labor, become the targets.
This paints a stark picture: wickedness isn't just occasional or accidental for some; it's a planned, energetic enterprise. They aren't just caught in darkness; they seek it and work within it, often with extreme diligence.
How can one person be both a violent murderer and a sneaky thief? Job shows us that for the truly wicked, these aren't separate identities but different tactics.
The Many Faces of Cruelty
Job highlights the chameleon-like nature of extreme wickedness. The same person who violently murders the poor and needy in the morning, preying on their vulnerability, transforms into a thief by night. The commentary suggests the "as" in "as a thief" might not mean like a thief, but that they are a thief – it's part of their true character.
This isn't about someone making a mistake; it's about a pattern of behavior. Whether it’s overt violence or stealthy theft, the underlying drive is harmful exploitation. Darkness is their domain, and they adapt their methods to suit the opportunity, but the destructive heart remains the same.
Understand the original words
rotsach · Hebrew Noun
One who commits the act of unlawful killing. Biblically, it is condemned as a grave violation of God’s command regarding the sanctity of human life created in His image.
ani · Hebrew Noun
Those who lack financial security or social status. The Bible frequently emphasizes God’s special concern for them, condemning those who exploit them for personal gain.
mena'eph · Hebrew Noun
Someone who violates the covenant of marriage through sexual infidelity. It represents a betrayal of trust and a disregard for the sacred institution established by God.
This proverb directly contrasts the generosity shown to the poor with the greed that drives the wicked, echoing Job's description of predators targeting the vulnerable.
Jeremiah 7:9-10These verses condemn the same kinds of violent crimes – murder, theft, and oppression – that Job is highlighting, showing this was a persistent problem in ancient Israel too.
Matthew 5:25Jesus' teaching here warns about settling matters quickly, highlighting the severe consequences of unresolved conflict and injustice, which can drive people to desperate acts like those Job describes.
1 John 3:12This passage directly links Cain's murder of Abel to envy and malice, providing a foundational example of the kind of wicked heart that leads to violence against others, just as seen in Job 24.
bensonJob 24:14: "The murderer rising with the light killeth the poor and needy, and in the night is as a thief."
Job 24:14-15 . The murderer rising with the light — As soon as the light appears, using no less diligence in his wicked practices than labourers do in their honest and daily employments; killeth the poor and needy — Where he finds nothing to satisfy his covetousness, he exerciseth his cruelty. And in the night is as a thief — He is really a thief; the particle as being often used to expre…
clarkeJob 24:14: "The murderer rising with the light killeth the poor and needy, and in the night is as a thief."
The murderer rising with the light - Perhaps the words should be read as Mr. Good has done: - With the daylight ariseth the murderer; Poor and needy, he sheddeth blood. This description is suitable to a highwayman; one who robs in daylight, and who has been impelled by poverty and distress to use this most unlawful and perilous mode to get bread; and for fear of being discovered or taken,…
The verse reveals the chilling efficiency of evil – the murderer doesn't just strike randomly, but is active in the earliest light, targeting the vulnerable, and then shifts to operating like a thief by night. This isn't just about being a criminal; it highlights how sin can be both brazenly violent and stealthily deceptive, using any hour to exploit weakness.
Job is describing the utter depravity of the wicked, contrasting their actions with God's justice. This verse paints a vivid picture of a murderer who rises with the early dawn, preying on the vulnerable poor and needy, then transforms into a stealthy thief under the cover of night, illustrating their deep-seated evil and pervasive criminality.
Job is describing the utter depravity of the wicked, contrasting their actions with God's justice. This verse paints a vivid picture of a murderer who rises with the early dawn, preying on the vulnerable poor and needy, then transforms into a stealthy thief under the cover of night, illustrating their deep-seated evil and pervasive criminality.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Job 24:14-15 is available in the Sola app.
"The murderer rises before it is light, that he may kill the poor and needy, and in the night he is like a thief. The eye of the adulterer also waits for the twilight, saying, ‘No eye will see me’; and he vei…" — The verse reveals the chilling efficiency of evil – the murderer doesn't just strike randomly, but is active in the earliest light, targeting the vulnerable, and then shifts to operating like a thi…
