Job 30:1-8

1 But men younger than I am make fun of me now! Their fathers have always been so worthless that I wouldn't let them help my dogs guard sheep.

2 They were a bunch of worn-out men, too weak to do any work for me.

3 They were so poor and hungry that they would gnaw dry roots - at night, in wild, desolate places.

4 They pulled up the plants of the desert and ate them, even the tasteless roots of the broom tree!

5 Everyone drove them away with shouts, as if they were shouting at thieves.

6 They had to live in caves, in holes dug in the sides of cliffs.

7 Out in the wilds they howled like animals and huddled together under the bushes.

8 A worthless bunch of nameless nobodies! They were driven out of the land.

Job 30:1-8 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.