איוב, פרק כ״ד, פסוק י״ג

The actions and mindset of the wicked are defined by an active choice to reject any form of illumination. This rejection operates on both a physical and a spiritual level, shaping the nature of their sins and their isolation from truth and society. The primary approach among commentators is to view this rejection literally, focusing on physical daylight. The wicked hate the sun, preferring the cover of darkness to commit their crimes unseen. They are compared to people suffering from sadness who find comfort only in the dark [מצודת דוד]. They have no desire for the dawn, and when daylight breaks, they flee to hide in forests and secret places [רמב״ן]. Because they cannot carry out their schemes in the open, they completely sever themselves from the daytime hours [מצודת דוד, רלב״ג].

Beyond the physical shadows, another approach views this rejection in a spiritual sense. In this context, the rebellion is not against the sun, but against God, who is the light of the world and the ultimate source of goodness and truth [אבן עזרא, רלב״ג, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. This defiance takes the form of idolatry [אלשיך] or the dismissal of wisdom and the Torah, which provide true benefit to the human soul [תקות אנוש]. Some identify these rebels specifically as the generation of the Flood, who turned against God precisely because of their wealth and comfort, feeling no need for His kindness [רש״י]. Others view this behavior as a description of nighttime thieves who suffer from a deep lack of faith; they operate in the dark because they fear the eyes of human beings more than the ever-watchful eye of God [אלשיך].

The absolute distance of the wicked from the light is reflected in their complete unfamiliarity with its routes. A distinction is drawn between a broad, public road and a narrow, individual trail. The wicked entirely ignore the main public roads of light. Even when circumstances force them to pass through the smaller trails of illumination, they refuse to pause or sit there, ensuring they remain far away from even the smallest spark of light [מלבי״ם]. On a spiritual level, this lack of familiarity exists because they have never spent time sitting in the paths of wisdom and Torah. As a result, they never gain the understanding needed to recognize the ways of God and His greatness [אלשיך, תקות אנוש].