Job 30

Job 30:1

THey that are younger then I] That is, mine estate is changed, and whereas before the ancient men were glad to do me reverence, chap. 29. 8. the young men now contemn me.

younger then I] Heb. of fewer dayes then I.

to have set with the dogs of my flock] To set like dogs to keep the wolves from my sheep.

Job 30:2

whereto might the strength of their hands profit me] They were so feeble they could not work.

old age was perished] They had lived long in vain, and got no experience, so that their yeers were spent unprofitably, and the benefit of their dayes lost.

Job 30:3

solitarie] Or, dark as the night.

in former time] Heb. yester-night. That is, lately.

in former time desolate and waste] Newly laid waste by the enemy. No man would let them dwell among them.

Job 30:4

Who cut up mallows by the bushes] They fared very hard and poorly.

and juniper-roots for their meat] Juniper roots are better for fire, then for meat.

for their meat] Or, for to warn them.

Job 30:6

caves] Heb. holes.

Job 30:7

Among the bushes they brayed] Like wilde asses for want of food, or being pricked with thorns, chap. 6. 5.

under the nettles they were gathered together] Or, had wheals gathered on them, being stung with nettles.

Job 30:8

base-men] Heb. men of no name, Genesis 6:4.

Job 30:9

And now am I their song] Psalms 35:15. and Psalms 69:12. Job 17:6. Lam. 3. 14, 63. They that are younger then I, whose fathers were so base, vers. 1. and their grand-fathers also, vers. 8. made songs of me, and mocked at my misery.

Job 30:10

and spare not to spit in my face] Heb. and withhold not spittle from my face.

to spit in my face] In sign of the greatest contempt, Numbers 12:14. Isaiah 50:6.

Job 30:11

Because he hath loosed my cord] The band of authoritie, whereby I kept them in aw, chap. 12. 18.

they have also let loose the bridle before me] They have cast off that obedience they ow me, and carried themselves licentiously against me.

Job 30:12

they raise up against me the wayes of their destruction] Seek to destroy me, as souldiers do raise a mount to batter a city, chap. 19. 12. Lamentations 3:5.

Job 30:13

they have no helper] They dare set upon me, though no great man countenance them. So full of malice and boldnesse is this base people against me.

Job 30:15

my soul] Heb. my principall one. Heb. my princesse. Because the soul rules over the body.

my welfare passeth away as a cloud] The means of escaping out of my present misery.

Job 30:16

my soul is poured out upon me] Melted with grief, 1 Samuel 1:15. Psalms 42:4.

Job 30:17

My bones are pierced in me] His troubles kept him from sleeping, chap. 7. 14. and 17. 12.

in the night-season] His pains pierced his flesh, and went into the very bones.

my sinews take no rest] Because of extreme inflammation.

Job 30:18

is my garment changed] With the corrupt matter that runs out of my sores: and is as stiff upon me as the collar of my coat.

Job 30:19

He hath cast me into the mire] God hath brought me into contempt.

Job 30:20

I cry unto thee] Psalms 22:2. Lamentations 3:44.

Job 30:21

Thou art become cruell to me] Contrary to thy nature and former bounty, thou dealest harshly with me, Psalms 77:9. Jere. 30. 14.

become cruell] Heb. turned to be cruel, Isaiah 63:10.

thy strong hand] Heb. the strength of thy hand.

Job 30:22

Thou liftest me up to the winde] His afflictions hurried him up and down like a tempest, or whirl-winde. They gave him no rest, chap. 27. 21.

substance] Or, wisdom.

Job 30:23

thou wilt bring me to death] I know I shall die shortly, and come to the grave, Psalms 49:14.

Job 30:24

Howbeit he will not stretch out his hand to the grave] Men cry when God kils them, but he afflicts them not in the grave. My comfort is, I shall be quiet there.

grave] Heb. heap.

Job 30:25

Did not I weep for him that was in trouble] Psalms 35:13. Romans 12:15. I pitied others in their misery, yet am not pitied.

for him that was in trouble] Heb. for him that was hard of day.

Job 30:26

When] Or, Yet when.

I looked for good] Jeremiah 8:15.

Job 30:27

the dayes of affliction prevemed me] Came upon me unlooked for.

Job 30:28

I went mourning without the sun] Psalms 38:6. Not delighting in any worldly thing, not so much as in the light of the sun.

I cried in the congregation] I cannot forbear crying out in company.

Job 30:29

I am a brother to dragons] Psalms 102:6. I love solitarinesse and mourning, Mic. 1. 8. as wilde beasts do.

owls] Or, ostriches.

Job 30:30

My skin is black upon me] With heat of affliction, Psalms 119:83. Lamentations 4:8. and Lamentations 5:10.