Job 30:13-23

13 They break up my path; they promote my 1calamity; they need no one to help them.
14 As through a wide 2breach they come; amid the crash they roll on.
15 3Terrors are turned upon me; my honor is pursued as by the wind, and my prosperity has passed away like 4a cloud.
16 "And now my soul is 5poured out within me; days of affliction have taken hold of me.
17 6The night 7racks my bones, and the pain that 8gnaws me takes no rest.
18 With great force my garment is 9disfigured; it binds me about like the collar of my tunic.
19 God[a] has cast me into the mire, and I have become like 10dust and ashes.
20 I cry to you for help and you do not answer me; I stand, and you only look at me.
21 You have 11turned cruel to me; with the might of your hand you 12persecute me.
22 13You lift me up on the wind; you make me ride on it, and you toss me about in the roar of the storm.
23 14For I know that you will bring me to death and to the house appointed for 15all living.

Job 30:13-23 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.

Cross References 15

Footnotes 1

The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.