Job 30:23-31

23 For I know that death will destroy me: for the earth is the house for every mortal.

24 Oh then that I might lay hands upon myself, or at least ask another, and he should do this for me.

25 Yet I wept over every helpless man; I groaned when I saw a man in distress.

26 But I, when I waited for good things, behold, days of evils came the more upon me.

27 My belly boiled, and would not cease: the days of poverty prevented me.

28 I went mourning without restraint: and I have stood and cried out in the assembly.

29 I am become a brother of monsters, and a companion of ostriches.

30 And my skin has been greatly blackened, and my bones are burned with heat.

31 My harp also has been turned into mourning, and my song into my weeping.

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.