Job 30:4-14

4 They pluck saltwort and bitter leaves; these, with broom tree roots, are their food.
5 They are driven away from society, with men shouting after them as after a thief,
6 to live in gullies and vadis, in holes in the ground and caves in the rocks.
7 Among the bushes they howl like beasts and huddle among the nettles,
8 irresponsible nobodies driven from the land.
9 "Now I have become their song; yes, I am a byword with them.
10 They loathe me, they stand aloof from me; they don't hesitate to spit in my face!
11 For God has loosened my bowstring and humbled me; they throw off restraint in my presence.
12 At my right the street urchins attack, pushing me from place to place, besieging me with their ways of destruction,
13 breaking up my path, furthering my calamity -even those who have no one to help them.
14 They move in as through a wide gap; amid the ruin they roll on in waves.

Job 30:4-14 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.

Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.