Job 30:3-13

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.
9 Now they come and laugh at me; I am nothing but a joke to them.
10 They treat me with disgust; they think they are too good for me, and even come and spit in my face.
11 Because God has made me weak and helpless, they turn against me with all their fury.
12 This mob attacks me head-on; they send me running; they prepare their final assault.
13 They cut off my escape and try to destroy me; and there is no one to stop them.

Job 30:3-13 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.

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. [Probable text] stop; [Hebrew] help.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.