Guiding Questions: Job 24

This is part of the Tanakh Yomi Project.

  1. What is the point of Job’s question in the first half of Job 24:1 and his comment in the second half?
  2. What is the nature of the offense in the first half of Job 24:2? Compare Deuteronomy 19:14.
  3. How does Job describe the plight of the poor and why does he express concern about them in the midst of his own suffering (Job 24:4-12)?
  4. The Torah commands (presumably righteous) farmers to allow the poor to glean. Why must the poor glean in the vineyards of the wicked (Job 24:6)?
  5. Why is the footnote on Job 24:9 important?
  6. What does Job imply by “reproach” in Job 24:12?
  7. To whom is Job referring in Job 24:13? What does he mean by “rebels against the light”?
  8. Why have criminals throughout history committed most of their crimes at night (Job 24:14-16)?
  9. Why is daytime like night and a source of terror to criminals (Job 24:17)?
  10. The Hebrew word rendered “darkness” is “tzalmavet” (Job 24:17). What is an alternate translation (Compare Psalms 23:4)?
  11. Comment: The footnote at Job 24:18 is important because the Hebrew, in large measure, is unintelligible and not coherently structured. A portion of Job’s speech may be missing or it may belong in a later speech by Zophar.
  12. Why does Job resort to such a vile implication against evildoers (Job 24:18-22, Job 24:24)?
  13. What is the injustice to which he alludes in Job 24:24?
  14. Do you accept Job’s concluding declaration in Job 24:25?

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    Exploring Judaism is the digital home for Conservative/Masorti Judaism, embracing the beauty and complexity of Judaism, and our personal search for meaning, learning, and connecting. Our goal is to create content based on three core framing: Meaning-Making (Why?), Practical Living (How?), and Explainers (What?).

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Perek Yomi materials originally produced by the USCJ and Dr. Morton K. Siegel.
We are grateful to be able to share this material.

Author

  • favicon of exploring judaism logo

    Exploring Judaism is the digital home for Conservative/Masorti Judaism, embracing the beauty and complexity of Judaism, and our personal search for meaning, learning, and connecting. Our goal is to create content based on three core framing: Meaning-Making (Why?), Practical Living (How?), and Explainers (What?).

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