Job 30:1-6

1 "But now they that are younger than I hold me in derision, whose fathers I would have disdained to have set with the dogs of my flock.

2 Yea, for what might the strength of their hands profit me, in whom old age was perished?

3 From want and famine they were solitary, fleeing into the wilderness, in former time desolate and waste,

4 who cut up mallow by the bushes, and juniper roots for their meat.

5 They were driven forth from among men; they cried after them as after a thief,

6 to dwell in the cliffs of the valleys, in caves of the earth and in the rocks.

Job 30:1-6 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JOB 30

Job in this chapter sets forth his then unhappy state and condition, in contrast with his former state of prosperity described in the preceding chapter: things had taken a strange turn, and were just the reverse of what they were before; he that was before in such high esteem and credit with all sorts of men, young and old, high and low, rich and poor, now is had in derision by the meanest and basest of men, whose characters are described, Job 30:1-8; and the instances of their contempt of him by words and gestures are given, Job 30:9-14; he who enjoyed so much ease of mind, and health of body, is now filled with distresses of soul, and bodily diseases, Job 30:15-19; and he who enjoyed so much of the presence of God, and communion with him, and of his love and favour, was now disregarded, and, as he thought, cruelly used by him, who not only had destroyed his substance, but was about to bring him to the grave, Job 30:20-24; all which came upon him, though he had a sympathizing heart with the poor, and them that were in trouble, and when he expected better things, Job 30:25-28; and he close the chapter, lamenting his sad and sorrowful circumstances, Job 30:29-31.