Job 24:12
Men groan from out of the city, and the soul of the wounded crieth out: yet God layeth not folly to them.
Original Language Analysis
מֵ֘עִ֤יר
from out of the city
H5892
מֵ֘עִ֤יר
from out of the city
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
1 of 10
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
מְתִ֨ים׀
Men
H4962
מְתִ֨ים׀
Men
Strong's:
H4962
Word #:
2 of 10
properly, an adult (as of full length); by implication, a man (only in the plural)
וְנֶֽפֶשׁ
and the soul
H5315
וְנֶֽפֶשׁ
and the soul
Strong's:
H5315
Word #:
4 of 10
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
חֲלָלִ֥ים
of the wounded
H2491
חֲלָלִ֥ים
of the wounded
Strong's:
H2491
Word #:
5 of 10
pierced (especially to death); figuratively, polluted
תְּשַׁוֵּ֑עַ
crieth out
H7768
תְּשַׁוֵּ֑עַ
crieth out
Strong's:
H7768
Word #:
6 of 10
properly, to be free; but used only causatively and reflexively, to halloo (for help, i.e., freedom from some trouble)
לֹא
H3808
לֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
8 of 10
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
Historical Context
Ancient cities featured oppression alongside prosperity. Job's observation of groaning without divine intervention challenges simplistic theology of immediate retribution.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you explain innocent suffering when God seems to 'lay not folly' to oppressors?
- What does God's patience with wicked oppressors reveal about His character?
Analysis & Commentary
Job observes: 'Men groan from out of the city, and the soul of the wounded crieth out: yet God layeth not folly to them.' This notes that human suffering elicits cries but God doesn't immediately judge the oppressors. The mystery of delayed divine response troubles Job.