איוב, פרק כ״ד, פסוק י״א

A tragic picture of exploitation unfolds, capturing the heartbreaking reality of those who labor to produce food and drink yet are left with nothing. Through the daily tasks of pressing oil and treading grapes, the sheer cruelty of those who steal the fruits of another's hard work is exposed.

The scene takes place among rows of olive trees and vineyards [מלבי״ם, ביאור שטיינזלץ], or perhaps amidst neat piles of olives waiting at the press [רש״י, מצודת דוד, רלב״ג]. Workers labor intensely to extract the olive oil—a liquid so bright it is named for the way it shines like the midday sun when lit [אבן עזרא]. Nearby, the juice of crushed grapes flows into deep vats [מצודת ציון]. The primary approach among commentators is that these hardworking individuals are the rightful owners of the land. They pour their sweat into making the oil and wine, only to be left completely thirsty when wicked men arrive and strip them of everything they have produced [רש״י, מצודת דוד, רלב״ג, אבן עזרא].

A different perspective shifts the focus to poor, starving laborers toiling in the fields of wealthy, corrupt masters. These workers spend their days crushing olives and treading grapes, surrounded by the rich liquids. Yet, their cruel employers physically block them from even tasting the drinks they are preparing with their own hands, leaving them parched and suffering [מלבי״ם, ביאור שטיינזלץ].

Taking a bold turn, another approach highlights the sheer arrogance of the thieves. In this scenario, it is the wicked themselves who are pressing the oil and treading the grapes, brazenly doing so right on the stolen property of the victims, who can only watch in thirst. Alternatively, this thirst might actually describe the thieves. Despite taking everything, their greed is a bottomless pit; they remain constantly thirsty and hungry to steal more, never finding satisfaction [רמב״ן, תקות אנוש].

Finally, the setting can be viewed through a lens of deep fear and secrecy. Having already suffered the loss of their wine at the public vats, the rightful owners are terrified of being robbed again. Instead of taking their olives to the town press, they hide within the walls of their own homes to extract the oil in secret. They accept the reality of losing part of their yield and even damaging their own houses in the process, choosing this hardship over letting the wicked discover and steal their remaining crop [אלשיך].