Job 30:3-13

3 Barren with want and hunger, who gnawed in the wilderness, disfigured with calamity and misery.

4 And they ate grass, and barks of trees, and the root of junipers was their food.

5 Who snatched up these things out of the valleys, and when they had found any of them, they ran to them with a cry.

6 They dwelt in the desert places of torrents, and in caves of earth, or upon the gravel.

7 They pleased themselves among these kind of things, and counted it delightful to be under the briers.

8 The children of foolish and base men, and not appearing at all upon the earth.

9 Now I am turned into their song, and am become their byword.

10 They abhor me, and flee far from me, and are not afraid to spit in my face.

11 For he hath opened his quiver, and hath afflicted me, and hath put a bridle into my mouth.

12 At the right hand of my rising, my calamities forthwith arose: they have overthrown my feet, and have overwhelmed me with their paths as with waves.

13 They have destroyed my ways, they have lain in wait against me, and they have prevailed, and there was none to help.

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.