He is swift as the waters; their portion is cursed in the earth: he beholdeth not the way of the vineyards.

JOB 24:18KJV
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Job 24:18 (KJV)

What does Job 24:18 mean?

Job 24:18 describes how the wicked are quickly swept away, their share in life is cursed, and they do not experience the blessings of fruitful labor. The verse uses vivid images to show that those who do evil are unstable, unwelcome, and do not enjoy the rewards that come from honest work.

In the book of Job, Job is speaking to his friends, challenging their belief that the wicked always suffer immediate consequences. Here, Job paints a picture of the wicked as fleeting and rootless—like something carried away by water, with no lasting place or prosperity. The reference to vineyards suggests they do not get to enjoy the settled, fruitful life that comes from righteousness.

The Hebrew behind Job 24:18

  • "swift" (קַל, qal): This word means "light" or "quick," emphasizing how quickly the wicked pass away or are removed, like something that cannot stand firm.
  • "waters" (פְּנֵי־מַיִם, penei-mayim): Literally "face of waters," it gives the sense of being carried away on the surface, highlighting instability and lack of control.
  • "portion" (חֵלֶק, cheleq): This word means "share" or "allotment," pointing to what someone receives in life. Here, it is described as "cursed," showing that the wicked's inheritance or outcome is negative.
  • "beholdeth" (פָּנָה, panah): This word means "to turn toward" or "to look at." The verse says the wicked do not "behold the way of the vineyards," meaning they do not get to enjoy or even see the path to lasting, fruitful work.

Why Job 24:18 matters

  • Job 24:18 challenges the idea that the wicked always face obvious, immediate punishment, showing that their downfall can be sudden and their lives ultimately unfulfilled.
  • The verse uses strong images to stress the instability and lack of blessing for those who do evil, helping the reader see the contrast between fleeting wickedness and lasting righteousness.
  • By mentioning vineyards, Job hints at the deeper loss: the wicked miss out not just on material gain, but on the peace and satisfaction that come from honest, fruitful living.

Where else these words appear

“swift” Hebrew H7031 · used in 13 verses

  • 2 Samuel 2:18 And there were three sons of Zeruiah there, Joab, and Abishai, and Asahel: and Asahel was as light of foot as a wild roe.
  • Isaiah 19:1 The burden of Egypt. Behold, the LORD rideth upon a swift cloud, and shall come into Egypt: and the idols of Egypt shall be moved at his presence, and the heart of Egypt shall melt in the midst of it.
  • Lamentations 4:19 Our persecutors are swifter than the eagles of the heaven: they pursued us upon the mountains, they laid wait for us in the wilderness.

“portion” Hebrew H2513 · used in 25 verses

  • Genesis 27:16 And she put the skins of the kids of the goats upon his hands, and upon the smooth of his neck:
  • 2 Samuel 23:11 And after him was Shammah the son of Agee the Hararite. And the Philistines were gathered together into a troop, where was a piece of ground full of lentiles: and the people fled from the Philistines.
  • 1 Chronicles 11:14 And they set themselves in the midst of that parcel, and delivered it, and slew the Philistines; and the LORD saved them by a great deliverance.

“cursed” Hebrew H7043 · used in 79 verses

  • Genesis 8:8 Also he sent forth a dove from him, to see if the waters were abated from off the face of the ground;
  • 2 Samuel 16:7 And thus said Shimei when he cursed, Come out, come out, thou bloody man, and thou man of Belial:
  • Psalms 109:28 Let them curse, but bless thou: when they arise, let them be ashamed; but let thy servant rejoice.

“vineyards” Hebrew H3754 · used in 82 verses

  • Genesis 9:20 And Noah began to be an husbandman, and he planted a vineyard:
  • 1 Kings 21:1 And it came to pass after these things, that Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard, which was in Jezreel, hard by the palace of Ahab king of Samaria.
  • Isaiah 1:8 And the daughter of Zion is left as a cottage in a vineyard, as a lodge in a garden of cucumbers, as a besieged city.