Job 24:21 Meaning and Explanation
“He evil entreateth the barren that beareth not: and doeth not good to the widow.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →This is the man who mistreats the childless woman and withholds all kindness from the widow.
What Does Job 24:21 Mean?
Job recalls the character of the man now being swept away. He wronged the barren woman who bore no children and did no good to the widow, preying again on those least able to defend themselves. His cruelty toward the defenseless marks the whole arc of his life.
The verse measures his guilt by how he treated the powerless, and Scripture everywhere makes this the test of the heart. God promises to be husband to the widow and to remember the woman who has no child; Jesus stopped a funeral to restore a widow's only son. The one who shows no mercy will find none, yet the same Lord stands ready to receive the cruel who turn and repent, for He delights in mercy more than judgment.
Job 24:21 in the Original Language
almanah (אַלְמָנָה), 'widow' -- a woman bereft of her husband, named throughout Scripture as God's special care.
Frequently Asked Questions About Job 24:21
What does Job 24:21 mean?
This is the man who mistreats the childless woman and withholds all kindness from the widow.