Job 30:1-8

Mockers

1 But now those younger than I mock me, whose fathers I refused to put beside my sheepdogs.

2 Their strength, what's it to me, their energy having perished?

3 Stiff from want and hunger, those who gnaw dry ground, yesterday's desolate waste,

4 who pluck off the leaves on a bush, the root of the broom— a shrub is their food.

5 People banish them from society, shout at them as if to a thief;

6 so they live in scary ravines, holes in the ground and rocks.

7 Among shrubs, they make sounds like donkeys; they are huddled together under a bush,

8 children of fools and the nameless, whipped out of the land.

Job 30:1-8 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.