Job 30:23-31

23 For I know that thou dost conduct me unto death and to the house appointed for all living.
24 But he will not stretch out his hand against the grave; do those who are buried cry out when he destroys them?
25 Did I not weep for the one that was in trouble? Was not my soul grieved for the needy?
26 When I expected good, then evil came unto me; and when I waited for light, there came darkness.
27 My bowels boil and do not rest; the days of affliction came upon me.
28 I went about darkened, but not by the sun; I stood up and cried out in the congregation.
29 I have become a brother to dragons and a companion to owls.
30 My skin is black upon me, and my bones are burned with heat.
31 My harp is turned to mourning, and my organ into the voice of those that weep.

Job 30:23-31 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.

The Jubilee Bible (from the Scriptures of the Reformation), edited by Russell M. Stendal, Copyright © 2000, 2001, 2010