They pluck the fatherless from the breast, and take a pledge of the poor.
Job 24:9 stands within the extended debate in chapters 4-31 between Job and his three friends over his afflictions. There it forms part of his portrayal of wicked men who prey on the helpless by tearing fatherless children away from care and demanding security from the poor. That same portrayal includes removing landmarks, stealing flocks, driving off the donkey of the fatherless, seizing the widow's ox as a pledge, and turning the needy out of the way.
Job places that whole course of oppression in direct contrast with his own life, maintaining that he had not lived in that manner. He had instead rescued the poor who cried out, the fatherless, and those who had no helper. He had brought joy to the heart of the widow, and had been as eyes to the blind, feet to the lame, and a father to the poor. By that contrast he offered a complete justification of himself and a vindication of his own righteousness.
Job 24:9 stands within the extended debate in chapters 4-31 between Job and his three friends over his afflictions. There it forms part of his portrayal of wicked men who prey on the helpless by tearing fatherless children away from care and demanding security from the poor. That same portrayal includes removing landmarks, stealing flocks, driving off the donkey of the fatherless, seizing the widow's ox as a pledge, and turning the needy out of the way.
Job places that whole course of oppression in direct contrast with his own life, maintaining that he had not lived in that manner. He had instead rescued the poor who cried out, the fatherless, and those who had no helper. He had brought joy to the heart of the widow, and had been as eyes to the blind, feet to the lame, and a father to the poor. By that contrast he offered a complete justification of himself and a vindication of his own righteousness.