Job 30:1-9

1 But now they that are younger than I have me in derision, Whose fathers I disdained to set with the dogs of my flock.

2 Yea, the strength of their hands, whereto should it profit me? Men in whom ripe age is perished.

3 They are gaunt with want and famine; They gnaw the dry ground, in the gloom of wasteness and desolation.

4 They pluck salt-wort by the bushes; And the roots of the broom are their food.

5 They are driven forth from the midst [of men]; They cry after them as after a thief;

6 So that they dwell in frightful valleys, In holes of the earth and of the rocks.

7 Among the bushes they bray; Under the nettles they are gathered together.

8 [They are] children of fools, yea, children of base men; They were scourged out of the land.

9 And now I am become their song, Yea, I am a byword unto them.

Job 30:1-9 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.