Job 24:16
In the dark they dig through houses, which they had marked for themselves in the daytime: they know not the light.
Original Language Analysis
חָתַ֥ר
they dig through
H2864
חָתַ֥ר
they dig through
Strong's:
H2864
Word #:
1 of 9
to force a passage, as by burglary; figuratively, with oars
בַּחֹ֗שֶׁךְ
In the dark
H2822
בַּחֹ֗שֶׁךְ
In the dark
Strong's:
H2822
Word #:
2 of 9
the dark; hence (literally) darkness; figuratively, misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness
בָּ֫תִּ֥ים
houses
H1004
בָּ֫תִּ֥ים
houses
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
3 of 9
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
לֹא
H3808
לֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
7 of 9
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
Historical Context
Archaeological evidence from patriarchal-era homes shows mud-brick construction vulnerable to wall-breaching. Ancient Near Eastern law codes (Code of Hammurabi §21) prescribed death for burglary, yet enforcement depended on catching perpetrators. Job lived before Israel's monarchy with its judicial infrastructure, making property crimes difficult to prosecute in tribal societies.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the burglar's meticulous planning ('marked for themselves in the daytime') reveal that sin is rarely impulsive but often calculated?
- What does it mean spiritually to 'know not the light' when living in habitual sin?
- How does Christ as 'the light of the world' (John 8:12) expose our hidden darkness?
Analysis & Commentary
In the dark they dig through houses—Job describes burglars who breach mud-brick walls under cover of darkness. The verb "dig through" (chatar, חָתַר) was literal in ancient Near Eastern architecture where homes had sun-dried brick walls that could be excavated (compare Matthew 6:19, "where thieves break through and steal," using Greek dioryssō, to dig through). The phrase ba-choshek (בַּחֹשֶׁךְ, "in the dark") emphasizes moral and physical darkness.
Which they had marked for themselves in the daytime: they know not the light—These criminals case targets during daylight, then strike at night. "They know not the light" is multilayered: literally, they avoid daylight to escape detection; morally, they dwell in spiritual darkness (compare John 3:19-20, "men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil"). Job's theodicy complaint intensifies: wicked men plan crimes openly, execute them secretly, yet continue unpunished. Where is divine justice?