Albert Barnes Commentary Job 24:5

"Behold, as wild asses in the desert They go forth to their work, seeking diligently for food; The wilderness [yieldeth] them bread for their children." — Job 24:5 (ASV)

Behold, as wild asses in the desert - Regarding the wild ass, see the notes at Job 6:5. Schultens, Good, Noyes, and Wemyss understand this not as referring to the haughty tyrants themselves, but to the oppressed and needy wretches whom they had driven from society and compelled to seek a precarious subsistence, like the wild ass, in the desert. They suppose that the meaning is that these outcasts go to their daily toil, seeking roots and vegetables in the desert for subsistence, like wild animals.

But it seems to me that the reference is rather to another class of wicked people: the wandering tribes that live by plunder. These tribes roam through the deserts and live an unrestrained and lawless life, like wild animals. The wild ass is distinguished for its speed, and the comparison here turns principally on this fact. These marauders move rapidly from place to place, make their assault suddenly and unexpectedly, and, after plundering a traveler or caravan, disappear just as suddenly.

They have no home, cultivate no land, and keep no flocks. The only objection to this interpretation is that the wild ass is not a beast of prey. But, in reply to this, it may be said that the comparison does not depend on that, but on the fact that they resemble those animals in their lawless habits of life (see Job 11:12 (note) and Job 39:5 (note)).

Go they forth to their work - To their employment—namely, plunder.

Rising betimes - Rising early. It is a custom of people in the East everywhere to rise by break of day. In journeys, they usually rise long before day, and travel much in the night, and during the heat of the day they rest. As caravans often traveled early, plunderers would rise early, also, to meet them.

For a prey - For plunder—the business of their lives.

The wilderness - The desert, as the word 'wilderness' is used in the Scriptures (see Isaiah 35:1 (note) and Matthew 3:1 (note)).

Yieldeth food - Namely, by plunder. They obtain subsistence for themselves and their families by plundering the caravans of the desert. The idea of Job is that they are seen by God, and yet are allowed to roam at large.