King James Version

What Does Job 24:2 Mean?

Job 24:2 in the King James Version says “Some remove the landmarks; they violently take away flocks, and feed thereof. feed: or, feed them” — study this verse from Job chapter 24 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Some remove the landmarks; they violently take away flocks, and feed thereof. feed: or, feed them”

Job 24:2 · KJV

Context

1

Why, seeing times are not hidden from the Almighty, do they that know him not see his days?

2

Some remove the landmarks; they violently take away flocks, and feed thereof. feed: or, feed them

3

They drive away the ass of the fatherless, they take the widow's ox for a pledge.

4

They turn the needy out of the way: the poor of the earth hide themselves together.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Some remove the landmarks (יַשִּׂיגוּ גְּבֻלוֹת, yassígu gevulót)—Job begins his catalogue of wicked oppression with boundary theft, a crime forbidden in Deuteronomy 19:14 and 27:17. Hebrew gebul denotes the sacred property markers that defined family inheritance. Moving landmarks violated covenant law and robbed families of their God-given patrimony. This wasn't mere property crime but assault on divine order—God Himself allocated tribal territories (Joshua 13-21).

They violently take away flocks, and feed thereof uses the verb gazal (גָּזַל), meaning to seize by force or rob. The oppressors don't merely steal—they consume the stolen flocks openly, displaying their power and contempt for justice. Job's complaint intensifies: where is God's intervention when the wicked flagrantly violate His commandments? This question anticipates Jesus's parable of the persistent widow (Luke 18:1-8), where God's delayed justice tests faith. The prophets repeatedly condemned landmark removal as covenant violation (Proverbs 22:28, 23:10, Hosea 5:10).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Landmark removal was a serious crime in the ancient Near East, where stone markers defined family inheritance. In agrarian societies without modern surveying, these boundary stones were sacred—many bore curses against those who moved them. Israel's land allotment system made this particularly grievous: families held land as covenant trust from Yahweh, making theft of boundaries both property crime and theological offense. The Mosaic law's prohibition reveals how foundational property rights were to covenant community.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do modern forms of 'landmark removal'—predatory lending, eminent domain abuse, financial manipulation—violate God's concern for property rights?
  2. Why does Job begin his catalogue of oppression with property crime rather than violence against persons?
  3. What does God's silence in the face of blatant injustice teach about His timing versus our expectations?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 5 words
גְּבֻל֥וֹת1 of 5

“the landmarks”

H1367

a boundary, region

יַשִּׂ֑יגוּ2 of 5

“Some remove”

H5381

to reach (literally or figuratively)

עֵ֥דֶר3 of 5

“flocks”

H5739

an arrangement, i.e., muster (of animals)

גָּ֝זְל֗וּ4 of 5

“they violently take away”

H1497

to pluck off; specifically to flay, strip or rob

וַיִּרְעֽוּ׃5 of 5

“and feed”

H7462

to tend a flock; i.e., pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively); generally to rule; by extension, to associate with (as a frie

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Job. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Job 24:2 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Job 24:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deuteronomy 27:17Proverbs 23:10Deuteronomy 19:14Proverbs 22:28Hosea 5:10Job 1:17

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