Job 24:21

“He evil entreateth the barren, [that] beareth not, etc.] Here Job returns, to give some further account of the sins of some wicked men, who prosper in this world, and go through it with impunity; and speaks of such that use their wives ill because they are barren, upbraid them with it, and are churlish to them on account of it; or use them ill that they may be barren, and bear no children, having no pleasure in them, as not in vineyards, before, (<182418>Job 24:18); and some interpret this of deflowering virgins, who never bore children, and of using methods to make them abortive, when with child; the word we translate “evil entreateth” sometimes signifies joining to, or being a companion of…”

“The reason given by the friends why the sinner deserves such a fate. barren--without sons, who might have protected her. widow--without a husband to support her.”

“He evil entreateth the barren - The woman who has no children to comfort or support her. He increases her calamity by acts of cruelty and oppression. To be without children, as is well known, was regarded, in the patriarchal ages, as a great calamity. And doeth not good to the widow - See the notes at Job 24:3. Notwithstanding all this, he is permitted to live in prosperity, and to die without any visible tokens of the divine displeasure. return to 'Top of Page'”

“He - He here returns to the declaration of his farther wickednesses, the cause of these judgments. Barren - Barrenness was esteemed a curse and reproach; and so he added affliction to the afflicted. Job 24:22”

“evil: Sa1 1:6, Sa1 1:7 doeth not: Job 24:3, Job 29:13, Job 31:16-18 Job 24:22”