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 (GNV)
Geneva Bible 1599 (public domain)
Job Continues: But Now They Mock Me
1Bvt now they that are yonger then I, mocke me: yea, they whose fathers I haue refused to set with the dogges of my flockes. 2For whereto shoulde the strength of their handes haue serued mee, seeing age perished in them? 3For pouertie and famine they were solitary, fleeing into the wildernes, which is darke, desolate and waste. 4They cut vp nettels by the bushes, and the iuniper rootes was their meate. 5They were chased forth from among men: they shouted at them, as at a theefe. 6Therfore they dwelt in the clefts of riuers, in the holes of the earth and rockes. 7They roared among the bushes, and vnder the thistles they gathered themselues. 8They were the children of fooles and the children of villaines, which were more vile then the earth. 9And now am I their song, and I am their talke. 10They abhorre me, and flee farre from mee, and spare not to spit in my face. 11Because that God hath loosed my corde and humbled mee, they haue loosed the bridle before me. 12The youth rise vp at my right hand: they haue pusht my feete, and haue trode on me as on the paths of their destruction. 13They haue destroyed my paths: they tooke pleasure at my calamitie, they had none helpe. 14They came as a great breach of waters, and vnder this calamitie they come on heapes. 15Feare is turned vpon mee: and they pursue my soule as the winde, and mine health passeth away as a cloude. 16Therefore my soule is nowe powred out vpon me, and the dayes of affliction haue taken holde on me. 17It pearceth my bones in the night, and my sinewes take no rest. 18For the great vehemencie is my garment changed, which compasseth me about as the colar of my coate. 19He hath cast me into the myre, and I am become like ashes and dust. 20Whe I cry vnto thee, thou doest not heare me, neither regardest me, when I stand vp. 21Thou turnest thy selfe cruelly against me, and art enemie vnto mee with the strength of thine hand. 22Thou takest me vp and causest mee to ride vpon the winde, and makest my strength to faile. 23Surely I knowe that thou wilt bring mee to death, and to the house appoynted for all the liuing. 24Doubtles none can stretch his hand vnto the graue, though they cry in his destruction. 25Did not I weepe with him that was in trouble? was not my soule in heauinesse for the poore? 26Yet when I looked for good, euill came vnto me: and when I waited for light, there came darkenesse. 27My bowels did boyle without rest: for the dayes of affliction are come vpon me. 28I went mourning without sunne: I stood vp in the congregation and cryed. 29I am a brother to the dragons, and a companion to the ostriches. 30My skinne is blacke vpon me, and my bones are burnt with heate. 31Therefore mine harpe is turned to mourning, and mine organs into the voyce of them that weepe.