Job 30:11-21

11 Because God has loosed my cord and humbled me, they have cast off restraint[a] in my presence.
12 On my 1right hand the rabble rise; they push away my feet; they 2cast up against me their ways of destruction.
13 They break up my path; they promote my 3calamity; they need no one to help them.
14 As through a wide 4breach they come; amid the crash they roll on.
15 5Terrors are turned upon me; my honor is pursued as by the wind, and my prosperity has passed away like 6a cloud.
16 "And now my soul is 7poured out within me; days of affliction have taken hold of me.
17 8The night 9racks my bones, and the pain that 10gnaws me takes no rest.
18 With great force my garment is 11disfigured; it binds me about like the collar of my tunic.
19 God[b] has cast me into the mire, and I have become like 12dust and ashes.
20 I cry to you for help and you do not answer me; I stand, and you only look at me.
21 You have 13turned cruel to me; with the might of your hand you 14persecute me.

Job 30:11-21 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.

Cross References 14

Footnotes 2

The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.