Job 24:15
The eye also of the adulterer waiteth for the twilight, saying, No eye shall see me: and disguiseth his face.
Original Language Analysis
עָ֑יִן
No eye
H5869
עָ֑יִן
No eye
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
1 of 11
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
נֹאֵ֨ף׀
also of the adulterer
H5003
נֹאֵ֨ף׀
also of the adulterer
Strong's:
H5003
Word #:
2 of 11
to commit adultery; figuratively, to apostatize
שָׁ֤מְרָֽה
waiteth
H8104
שָׁ֤מְרָֽה
waiteth
Strong's:
H8104
Word #:
3 of 11
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
נֶ֣שֶׁף
for the twilight
H5399
נֶ֣שֶׁף
for the twilight
Strong's:
H5399
Word #:
4 of 11
properly, a breeze, i.e., (by implication) dusk (when the evening breeze prevails)
לֹא
H3808
לֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
6 of 11
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תְשׁוּרֵ֣נִי
shall see
H7789
תְשׁוּרֵ֣נִי
shall see
Strong's:
H7789
Word #:
7 of 11
to spy out, i.e., (generally) survey, (for evil) lurk for, (for good) care for
עָ֑יִן
No eye
H5869
עָ֑יִן
No eye
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
8 of 11
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
וְסֵ֖תֶר
me and disguiseth
H5643
וְסֵ֖תֶר
me and disguiseth
Strong's:
H5643
Word #:
9 of 11
a cover (in a good or a bad, a literal or a figurative sense)
Historical Context
Adultery carried severe penalties in ancient Near Eastern law codes (death in Mosaic Law, Leviticus 20:10), yet Job observes that private sin often escapes earthly justice. The patriarchal period lacked modern surveillance, making nocturnal crimes difficult to prosecute. Job's frustration reflects the tension between belief in divine omniscience and the empirical reality of unpunished wickedness.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the adulterer's self-deception—'No eye shall see me'—mirror our own tendency to compartmentalize secret sins?
- What does God's patience with hidden sin teach us about the difference between temporal delay and ultimate justice?
- How should believers respond when they see wicked people prospering in secret sins?
Analysis & Commentary
The eye also of the adulterer waiteth for the twilight—Job shifts from murder to adultery, expanding his indictment of unpunished sin. The Hebrew naaph (נֹאֵף, adulterer) violates the seventh commandment (unwritten but universally known in patriarchal times). "Waiteth for the twilight" (nesheph, נֶשֶׁף) depicts premeditated sin—the adulterer calculates when darkness provides cover. This echoes Proverbs 7:9's warning about the adulteress who hunts "in the black and dark night."
No eye shall see me: and disguiseth his face—The adulterer's self-deception is profound: he thinks secrecy equals immunity. Yet Proverbs 15:3 declares "the eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good." The phrase "disguiseth his face" (seter panim, סֵתֶר פָּנִים) shows active concealment, but Job's point is devastating: God sees all, yet judgment seems delayed. This raises the theodicy question that haunts Job: if God sees secret sin, why doesn't He judge immediately?