Job 30:16-23

Accusation against God

16 Now my life is poured out on me; days of misery have seized me.
17 At night he bores my bones; my gnawing pain won't rest.
18 With great force he grasps my clothing; it binds me like the neck of my shirt.
19 He hurls me into mud; I'm a cliché, like dust and ashes.
20 I cry to you, and you don't answer; I stand up, but you just look at me.
21 You are cruel to me, attack me with the strength of your hand.
22 You lift me to the wind and make me ride; you melt me in its roar.
23 I know you will return me to death, the house appointed for all the living.

Job 30:16-23 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.

Footnotes 2

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