What Does Job 22:24 Mean in the King James?
Then shalt thou lay up gold as dust, and the gold of Ophir as the stones of the brooks.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
Gold becomes as ordinary as dust, while the Hebrew word-family reaches into the next verse and names defense, joining treasure and security in one sound.
THE MEANING
You stand inside an image of such abundance that even Ophir’s gold belongs among dust and stream stones. In the adjoining line, the Hebrew word-family behind “gold” echoes in “defence,” as the Almighty is named as security when wealth no longer measures what is precious.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
The belief that possessing scarce wealth is what makes you secure gives way as the next line names the Almighty as your defence.
THE ROOT
בָּצֶר
bāṣer
GROWS FROM
בצר
b-ṣ-r
To cut off, gather, or make inaccessible; בָּצֶר can refer to precious ore or gold.
The KJV renders this word “gold” here and a form of the same consonantal root “defence” in the next verse. The sound links precious wealth with what is fortified, so as gold becomes common as dust, the passage turns attention toward what truly shelters you.
ALSO GROWS
bəṣūrôt: Cities made secure or inaccessible.
בְּצֻרוֹת
This branch brings the root’s sense of fortification into view beside the gold described as abundant here.
mibṣār: A stronghold or fortified place.
מִבְצָר
It shares the root’s sheltering sense with the next verse’s “defence,” linking material treasure with security.
THE PATTERN
When material abundance is set beside a deeper source of security, precious things lose their power to measure well-being.
Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart upon them.Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;THE THREAD
Yea, the Almighty shall be thy defence, and thou shalt have plenty of silver.The word בָּצֶר (bāṣer, precious ore or gold) in verse 24 and the form behind “defence” in verse 25 share the consonants בצר. English makes the terms sound unrelated, while Hebrew lets treasure and stronghold echo as the Almighty is named as your security.
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