Job 9:24
The earth is given into the hand of the wicked: he covereth the faces of the judges thereof; if not, where, and who is he?
Original Language Analysis
נִתְּנָ֬ה
is given
H5414
נִתְּנָ֬ה
is given
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
2 of 12
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
בְֽיַד
into the hand
H3027
בְֽיַד
into the hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
3 of 12
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
רָשָׁ֗ע
of the wicked
H7563
רָשָׁ֗ע
of the wicked
Strong's:
H7563
Word #:
4 of 12
morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person
פְּנֵֽי
the faces
H6440
פְּנֵֽי
the faces
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
5 of 12
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
שֹׁפְטֶ֥יהָ
of the judges
H8199
שֹׁפְטֶ֥יהָ
of the judges
Strong's:
H8199
Word #:
6 of 12
to judge, i.e., pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or punish; by extenssion, to govern; passively, to litigate (literal
יְכַסֶּ֑ה
he covereth
H3680
יְכַסֶּ֑ה
he covereth
Strong's:
H3680
Word #:
7 of 12
properly, to plump, i.e., fill up hollows; by implication, to cover (for clothing or secrecy)
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
8 of 12
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
לֹ֖א
H3808
לֹ֖א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
9 of 12
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
אֵפ֣וֹא
thereof if not where
H645
אֵפ֣וֹא
thereof if not where
Strong's:
H645
Word #:
10 of 12
strictly a demonstrative particle, here; but used of time, now or then
Historical Context
This verse comes from Job's response to Bildad's second speech (Job 9:1-35). Job has moved from patient acceptance (1:21) to passionate complaint against perceived divine injustice. Ancient Near Eastern wisdom literature regularly wrestled with the prosperity of the wicked, but Job's directness in questioning God's governance was radical. The 'judges' (shophtim, שֹׁפְטִים) refers to the rulers and magistrates responsible for justice—central figures in maintaining social order.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you reconcile faith in God's sovereignty with the visible prosperity of corrupt rulers and the suffering of the righteous?
- What does Job's honest questioning teach about authentic prayer versus sanitized religious speech?
Analysis & Commentary
The earth is given into the hand of the wicked (נִתְּנָה אֶרֶץ בְּיַד־רָשָׁע, nitt'nah eretz b'yad-rasha)—Job's complaint challenges divine providence with brutal honesty. The verb 'given' (natan, נָתַן) implies deliberate divine action, not passive permission. Job sees God actively placing the earth under wicked rulers' control.
He covereth the faces of the judges thereof describes judicial corruption—God blinds judges (literally 'covers their faces') so they cannot see justice. This echoes the prophetic critique of perverted justice (Isaiah 5:23, Micah 3:9). Job's theology is wrestling with the prosperity of the wicked while the righteous suffer (Psalm 73). His closing question—if not, where, and who is he?—challenges God directly: if You're not responsible for this injustice, then who is? This isn't blasphemy but lament's honest grappling with theodicy. Jesus later addresses this tension: God 'makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good' (Matthew 5:45).