They drive away the ass of the fatherless, they take the widow's ox for a pledge.

JOB 24:3KJV
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Job 24:3 (KJV)

What does Job 24:3 mean?

Job 24:3 describes people exploiting those who have lost a parent or husband. By taking their animals, the wrongdoers deprive them of valuable property and a means of work. Job presents these acts as examples of cruelty toward people with little protection.

Job is speaking to his friends about wrongdoing he sees in the world. A donkey could carry loads, while an ox could work the land. The animals represent more than possessions: they could help a household make a living.

The Hebrew behind Job 24:3

  • “fatherless” — יָתוֹם (yatom): This word means a child without a father. In the setting Job describes, such a child could lack a parent’s protection against those who seized property.
  • “pledge” — חָבַל (ḥaval): The Hebrew word behind “take” and “pledge” carries the sense of taking something as security for a debt. The widow’s ox is treated as security that the lender can hold.

Why Job 24:3 matters

  • The verse shows how a debt could become a way to exert power over a vulnerable person. Taking the widow’s ox as “a pledge” could deprive her household of an animal needed for work.
  • Job’s complaint concerns wrongdoing that happens openly, not merely thoughts or intentions. He names visible acts: driving away a donkey and taking an ox.
  • Job places these acts within a larger question about justice. In Job 24:1, he asks why those who know God do not see appointed days of judgment; verse 3 supplies examples of the wrongs behind his question.

Where else these words appear

“take” Hebrew H2254 · used in 25 verses

  • Exodus 22:26 If thou at all take thy neighbour's raiment to pledge, thou shalt deliver it unto him by that the sun goeth down:
  • Psalms 7:14 Behold, he travaileth with iniquity, and hath conceived mischief, and brought forth falsehood.
  • Isaiah 13:5 They come from a far country, from the end of heaven, even the LORD, and the weapons of his indignation, to destroy the whole land.

“away” Hebrew H5090 · used in 31 verses

  • Genesis 31:18 And he carried away all his cattle, and all his goods which he had gotten, the cattle of his getting, which he had gotten in Padanaram, for to go to Isaac his father in the land of Canaan.
  • 1 Samuel 30:22 Then answered all the wicked men and men of Belial, of those that went with David, and said, Because they went not with us, we will not give them ought of the spoil that we have recovered, save to every man his wife and his children, that they may lead them away, and depart.
  • Psalms 80:1 To the chief Musician upon Shoshannimeduth, A Psalm of Asaph. Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; thou that dwellest between the cherubims, shine forth.

“fatherless” Hebrew H3490 · used in 42 verses

  • Exodus 22:22 Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child.
  • Job 6:27 Yea, ye overwhelm the fatherless, and ye dig a pit for your friend.
  • Proverbs 23:10 Remove not the old landmark; and enter not into the fields of the fatherless:

“widow's” Hebrew H490 · used in 54 verses

  • Genesis 38:11 Then said Judah to Tamar his daughter in law, Remain a widow at thy father's house, till Shelah my son be grown: for he said, Lest peradventure he die also, as his brethren did. And Tamar went and dwelt in her father's house.
  • 2 Samuel 14:5 And the king said unto her, What aileth thee? And she answered, I am indeed a widow woman, and mine husband is dead.
  • Isaiah 1:23 Thy princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves: every one loveth gifts, and followeth after rewards: they judge not the fatherless, neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them.