Job 30
Job 30 is part of “Third Cycle of Dialogue” (22–31) in the outline of Job.
Job 30 summary
It is a melancholy "But now" which this chapter begins with. Adversity is here described as much to the life as prosperity was in the foregoing chapter, and the height of that did but increase the depth of this. God sets the one over-against the other, and so did Job, that his afflictions might appear the more grievous, and consequently his case the more pitiable. I. he had lived in great honour, but now he had fallen into disgrace, and was as much vilified, even by the meanest, as ever he had been magnified by the greatest; this he insists much on (Job 30:1-14).
Read the full introduction
It is a melancholy "But now" which this chapter begins with. Adversity is here described as much to the life as prosperity was in the foregoing chapter, and the height of that did but increase the depth of this. God sets the one over-against the other, and so did Job, that his afflictions might appear the more grievous, and consequently his case the more pitiable. I. he had lived in great honour, but now he had fallen into disgrace, and was as much vilified, even by the meanest, as ever he had been magnified by the greatest; this he insists much on (Job 30:1-14). II. He had had much inward comfort and delight, but now he was a terror and burden to himself (Job 30:15, Job 30:16) and overwhelmed with sorrow (Job 30:28-31). III. He had long enjoyed a good state of health, but now he was sick and in pain (Job 30:17-18, Job 30:29, Job 30:30). IV. Time was when the secret of God was with him, but now his communication with heaven was cut off (Job 30:20-22). V. He had promised himself a long life, but now he saw death at the door (Job 30:23). One thing he mentions, which aggravated his affliction, that it surprised him when he looked for peace. But two things gave him some relief: - 1. That his troubles would not follow him to the grave (Job 30:24). 2. That his conscience witnessed for him that, in his prosperity, he had sympathized with those that were in misery (Job 30:25).
Source: Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Job 30 (ASV)
American Standard Version (public domain)
Job Continues: But Now They Mock Me
1But now they that are younger than I have me in derision, Whose fathers I disdained to set with the dogs of my flock. 2Yea, the strength of their hands, whereto should it profit me? Men in whom ripe age is perished. 3They are gaunt with want and famine; They gnaw the dry ground, in the gloom of wasteness and desolation. 4They pluck salt-wort by the bushes; And the roots of the broom are their food. 5They are driven forth from the midst [of men]; They cry after them as after a thief; 6So that they dwell in frightful valleys, In holes of the earth and of the rocks. 7Among 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. 9And now I am become their song, Yea, I am a byword unto them. 10They abhor me, they stand aloof from me, And spare not to spit in my face. 11For he hath loosed his cord, and afflicted me; And they have cast off the bridle before me. 12Upon my right hand rise the rabble; They thrust aside my feet, And they cast up against me their ways of destruction. 13They mar my path, They set forward my calamity, [Even] men that have no helper. 14As through a wide breach they come: In the midst of the ruin they roll themselves [upon me]. 15Terrors are turned upon me; They chase mine honor as the wind; And my welfare is passed away as a cloud. 16And now my soul is poured out within me; Days of affliction have taken hold upon me. 17In the night season my bones are pierced in me, And the [pains] that gnaw me take no rest. 18By [God’s] great force is my garment disfigured; It bindeth me about as the collar of my coat. 19He hath cast me into the mire, And I am become like dust and ashes. 20I cry unto thee, and thou dost not answer me: I stand up, and thou gazest at me. 21Thou art turned to be cruel to me; With the might of thy hand thou persecutest me. 22Thou liftest me up to the wind, thou causest me to ride [upon it]; And thou dissolvest me in the storm. 23For I know that thou wilt bring me to death, And to the house appointed for all living. 24Howbeit doth not one stretch out the hand in his fall? Or in his calamity therefore cry for help? 25Did not I weep for him that was in trouble? Was not my soul grieved for the needy? 26When I looked for good, then evil came; And when I waited for light, there came darkness. 27My heart is troubled, and resteth not; Days of affliction are come upon me. 28I go mourning without the sun: I stand up in the assembly, and cry for help. 29I am a brother to jackals, And a companion to ostriches. 30My skin is black, [and falleth] from me, And my bones are burned with heat. 31Therefore is my harp [turned] to mourning, And my pipe into the voice of them that weep.