Job 24:7
They cause the naked to lodge without clothing, that they have no covering in the cold.
Original Language Analysis
יָ֭לִינוּ
to lodge
H3885
יָ֭לִינוּ
to lodge
Strong's:
H3885
Word #:
2 of 7
to stop (usually over night); by implication, to stay permanently; hence (in a bad sense) to be obstinate (especially in words, to complain)
מִבְּלִ֣י
H1097
מִבְּלִ֣י
Strong's:
H1097
Word #:
3 of 7
properly, failure, i.e., nothing or destruction; usually (with preposition) without, not yet, because not, as long as, etc
לְב֑וּשׁ
without clothing
H3830
לְב֑וּשׁ
without clothing
Strong's:
H3830
Word #:
4 of 7
a garment (literally or figuratively); by implication (euphemistically) a wife
וְאֵ֥ין
H369
Historical Context
In the ancient Near East, a single outer garment often served as both daytime clothing and nighttime blanket for the poor. Temperatures in the Levant and Mesopotamia could drop dramatically at night, especially in hill country. Denying someone this basic covering endangered their life. Mosaic law's requirement to return pledged cloaks by sunset shows God's concern for physical survival needs. Job's description suggests systematic violation of these protections.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's specific concern for nighttime warmth inform our understanding of His care for physical needs?
- What modern equivalents exist of denying basic necessities while legally justifying such treatment?
- How can believers ensure that legal and economic systems protect human dignity and survival needs?
Analysis & Commentary
They cause the naked to lodge without clothing (עָרוֹם יָלִינוּ מִבְּלִי לְבוּשׁ, aróm yalínu mibbeli levúsh)—The word aróm (עָרוֹם) means naked or poorly clothed, emphasizing extreme poverty. The verb lun (לוּן) means to lodge or spend the night—these people lack even basic shelter and clothing for nighttime cold. This directly violates Exodus 22:26-27, which commands creditors to return a poor person's cloak by sunset because 'wherein shall he sleep?' God threatens to hear the cry of those denied this basic provision.
That they have no covering in the cold (וְאֵין לָהֶם כְּסוּת בַּקָּרָה, ve'ein lahém kesút baqará)—The kesút (כְּסוּת) is a covering or garment, specifically the outer cloak used as a blanket. The qara (קָרָה, cold) refers to winter's chill or harvest season's cold nights. Job paints a specific, devastating picture: people shivering through cold nights without protection. James echoes this concern: 'If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, and one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?' (James 2:15-16).