Job 30:16-24

16 Now my life is poured out before my [eyes], and days of suffering have seized me.[a]
17 Night pierces my bones, and my gnawing pains never abate.[b]
18 My clothing is distorted with great force; He chokes me by the neck of my garment.[c]
19 He throws me into the mud, and I have become like dust and ashes.[d]
20 I cry out to You for help, but You do not answer me;[e] when I stand up, You [merely] look at me.
21 You have turned against me with cruelty; You harass me with Your strong hand.[f]
22 You lift me up on the wind and make me ride [it]; You scatter me in the storm.
23 Yes, I know that You will lead me to death- the place appointed for all who live.
24 Yet no one would stretch out [his] hand against a ruined man[g] when he cries out to him for help because of his distress.[h]

Job 30:16-24 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 8

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