Bible Commentary

Job 24:16

The Pulpit Commentary on Job 24:16

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

In the dark they dig through houses. In ancient times, burglary commonly took this form. Windows were few, and high up in the walls; doors were strongly fastened with bolts and bars. But the walls, being of clay, or rubble, or sun-dried brick, were weak and easily penetrable.

This was especially the ease with party walls; and if burglars entered an unoccupied house, nothing was easier than to break through the slight partition which separated it from the house next door. The Greek word for "burglar" is τοιχώρυχος'" he who digs through a wall."

Which they had marked for themselves in the daytime; rather, they shut themselves up in the daytime; literally, they seal themselves up; the meaning being that they carefully keep themselves close. Professor Lee, however, defends the Authorized Version.

They know not the light; i.e. they avoid it, keep away from it, will have nothing to do with it.

Recommended reading

More for Job 24:16

Continue with other commentaries and DiscipleDeck content connected to this verse, chapter, or topic.

Other commentaries

The Pulpit Commentary on Job 24:1-22Job 24:1-22 · The Pulpit CommentaryApparent anomalies in the Divine judgment. Job again points to the anomalous conditions of human life—goodness, which has its approval in every breast, and on which, by universal consent of belief, a Divine blessing res…The Pulpit Commentary on Job 24:1-25Job 24:1-25 · The Pulpit CommentaryEXPOSITION The general subject of this chapter is the prosperity of the wicked, whose proceedings and their results are traced out in detail (Job 24:2-24). A single note of perplexity (Job 24:1) forms a sufficient intro…Matthew Henry on Job 24:13-17Job 24:13-17 · Matthew Henry Concise CommentarySee what care and pains wicked men take to compass their wicked designs; let it shame our negligence and slothfulness in doing good. See what pains those take, who make provision for the flesh to fulfil the lusts of it:…Present Impunity of Transgressors. (b. c. 1520.)Job 24:13-17 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BiblePRESENT IMPUNITY OF TRANSGRESSORS. (B. C. 1520.) These verses describe another sort of sinners who therefore go unpunished, because they go undiscovered. They rebel against the light, Job 24:13. Some understand it figur…The Pulpit Commentary on Job 24:13-25Job 24:13-25 · The Pulpit CommentaryJob to Eliphaz: 5. Ancient rebels against the light. I. THEIR BLACK CHARACTER. 1. They are hostile to the light. The light alluded to is the light of day. The wicked persons spoken of regard that light with aversion, as…The Pulpit Commentary on Job 24:13-25Job 24:13-25 · The Pulpit CommentaryPictures of secret end unpunished evil-doers. I. THE MURDERER AND THE ADULTERER. (Job 24:13-17.) A class of the wicked different from the foregoing is now placed before us; rebels, revolters against the light, who refus…
commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Job 24:1-22Apparent anomalies in the Divine judgment. Job again points to the anomalous conditions of human life—goodness, which has its approval in every breast, and on which, by universal consent of belief, a Divine blessing res…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Job 24:1-25EXPOSITION The general subject of this chapter is the prosperity of the wicked, whose proceedings and their results are traced out in detail (Job 24:2-24). A single note of perplexity (Job 24:1) forms a sufficient intro…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryMatthew Henry on Job 24:13-17See what care and pains wicked men take to compass their wicked designs; let it shame our negligence and slothfulness in doing good. See what pains those take, who make provision for the flesh to fulfil the lusts of it:…Matthew HenrycommentaryPresent Impunity of Transgressors. (b. c. 1520.)PRESENT IMPUNITY OF TRANSGRESSORS. (B. C. 1520.) These verses describe another sort of sinners who therefore go unpunished, because they go undiscovered. They rebel against the light, Job 24:13. Some understand it figur…Matthew HenrycommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Job 24:13-25Pictures of secret end unpunished evil-doers. I. THE MURDERER AND THE ADULTERER. (Job 24:13-17.) A class of the wicked different from the foregoing is now placed before us; rebels, revolters against the light, who refus…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Job 24:13-25Job to Eliphaz: 5. Ancient rebels against the light. I. THEIR BLACK CHARACTER. 1. They are hostile to the light. The light alluded to is the light of day. The wicked persons spoken of regard that light with aversion, as…Joseph S. Exell and contributors