Job 30

Job setteth against his former prosperity, the present misery he endured, consisting in the great contempt, put upon him by the unworthiest, 1, etc. In grievous temptations, wherewith he was assaulted in his faith and hope, wherewith he was assaulted in his faith and hope, 12. In affrightings, 15. In fearfulness, 16. In pains of the body, 17. In extream vileness and dejectedness, wherein he was not heard, 19. In deadly faintings of his abilities, 22. Notwithstanding his piety, 25. In the violence of his disease, 27. In grief and mourning, 31.

1. But now lesser (ones) then I, of days [i.e. younger in years. So below 32.6. The word days is left out sometime, the same sense remaining, Gen.19.31. and 48.14. Josh.6.26. Judges 6:15. So great on the contrary for old, 1 Sam.17.28. and below 32.9.] laugh over me, whose father I should have disdained, to set by the dogs of my flock. [i.e. to take care of the dogs, which kept and watched my sheep and goats.]

2. Whereto also should the power of their hands have (served) me? [Understand the strength of their bodies.] it was [the strength namely] perished in them through age [Oth. The age was loft in them, i.e. the old years were fruitless and unserviceable in them, being void of understanding and prudence, such as is required in old men.]

3. Who through want [into which namely they were fallen through recklessness and idleness.] and hunger, were solitary, flying into dry places; [whether they were driven, as unworthy of the Society of men; or which they chose themselves, through shame and fear, to be cut of all mens eyes.] in the obscure [The Hebrew word doth properly signify the night or evening past, Genesis 19:34. but here it is taken obscurity, or obscure places, such as are thick bushes, caves, caverns, waste and barren solitudes, which are far remote from the habitation of men. Oth. Formerly waste, etc.] waste and desolate [these two words are joined together to express an extraordinary desolation. So below 38.27. Zeph.1.15.]

4. Who plucked saltish herbs by the bushes, [i.e. such as crew in salt, or brachish grounds. Oth. Mallows, or, Junipers. [See 1 Kings19.5. and the annotation. He will say, that they have eaten, that which was not eatable otherwise. Others the Juniper-root was to warm (them) Compare Isaiah 47:14. where the Hebrew word is used thus.]

5. They were driven out of the midst; [viz. Of the Cities, or, men; because they were suspected, and no good expected by them. Oth. Out of that Society, viz. of men.] they hooted over them, as (over) a thief.

6. That they should dwell in the clefts of the valleys, the holes of the dust and stony rocks.

7. They cried out betwixt the bushes, [out of a smarting sense of their misery, roaring like wild asses, when they are hungry; in which sense this word is used likewise above 6.5. and another word much like to this, above 24.12. they gathered themselves among the nettles. [viz. To hide themselves there, if they were sought for. Oth.stinged, or wounded themselves, viz. With these nettles which by their smart stinging made these mens bodies swell all over with hot and burning blisters.]

8. They were children of fools, [See the signification of this word, 1 Sam.15.on v.23. Oth. And they were foolish men, yea men without name] and children of no name [i.e. without any credit or respect in the world. The contrary is, men of name, See Gen.6.4. and the annotation.] they were beaten out of the Land. [i.e. expelled and banished. Oth. Were rejected, or, more suppressed (or, more worn, and made bare) then the Earth, viz. Through a general contempt among men.]

9. Bot now am I become their music-play, and I am a by word to them. [i.e. one of whom they sing, and play, and prate, rejoicing in my misery, and making it their sport and pastime. Compare above 17.2,5,6. Psalms 35:15. and 69.13. Lam.3.14. Ezek.3.14. Ezek.33.32.]

10. They abhor me, they put themselves far from me; yea they do not withhold the spettle from my face. [To beset one, hath ever been a token of great contempt. Compare Numb.12.14. Deut.25.9. Isa.50.6. Mat.26.67.]

11. For he [God namely, See above 3.on v.20. and below here v.18, and 20.] hath loosened me cord, [or cordage, i.e. my reputation and authority, whereby I was able to bridle and curb those that were under me; the, same he hath quite taken away, that it is no restraint more to them.] and oppressed me: therefore have they [viz. Those wicked ones, that rise up against me now, and refuse to yield me due respect.] thrown off the bridle, [viz. Whereby they were kept in awe and order by me.] before my face. [i.e. in my own presence. The meaning is, that they had renounced all subjection to Job, even before his eyes, and discharged themselves of all the duty of reverence and obedience, which they owed unto him.]

12. On the right hand [i.e. where he was strongest and best provided] the youth [the word hath its original from sprouting and blossoming, or budding, signifying the first flourishing and growing youth] riseth up, [He hath regard here to those, which in his suffering, fell upon him with greatest indiscretion, bitterness and to make me stumble, and fall to ground.] and prepared their destructive.]

13. They break down my path, [i.e. they do so trouble and disturb the counsel and course, which I am to follow to govern and carry me well and orderly in this mine affliction, by their contending and contesting with me, that I scarce know what to go about, or speak, or do more.] they advance my misery: [i.e. increase and multiply the same, viz. By their perverse judgement false accusation, and bitter envenomed reproaches.] they have (need of) no helper. [viz. For to execute their evil intentions against me; they are able enough to do it themselves.]

14. They come on, as through a wide breach: [against me namely. This is a similitude taken from warriors, who by the breach they made in the Wall of a City fall on, and force their way in, and rush upon the inhabitants with great fury and impetuosity.] among the a devastation they rowl themselves on. [i.e. they have toiled and moiled about my misery, to multiply the same, and to overthrow and ruin me altogether with it.]

15. They are turned against me (with) frightings, every one persecuteth my noble (soul) [Oth. Princess, or, liberal (one) or, voluntary, free-willing, or excellent one, understand the soul, which is called the glory of man, Genesis 49:6. and the onely one (unica) Psal.22.21. See the annot.] like a wind; and my salvation is past by like a cloud.

16. Therefore doth my soul now power out her self within me; [i.e. my life doth spend it self, melteth away in tears, and is consumed through heaviness. So Psalms 42:5.] the days of pressure lay hold on me. [days of pressure, i.e. days or times, wherein great pressures and distress fall upon me; which are otherwise also called days of distress, or, straight, 2 Kings 19:3. of darkness, above 15.v.23. of visitation and desolation, Isa.10.3. of correction, Hos.5.9.]

17. By night he boreth through my bones. [God namely, as above v.11. and in the sequel, in regard that he did not let him enjoy any rest by night, when others we at rest by reason of the rage of his disease, which pierced through the very strongest and innermost part of his body, even through marrow and bones. Compare above 7,3,14. And 17.12.] within me: [Heb. From above me, i.e. from heaven, whence he sends his plagues upon me.] and sins rest not.

18. Through the multitude of the power [viz. Which God employeth against me, to distemper and disfigure my body, with all manner of diseases] is my apparel changed, [viz by the spots and stains of the mattery and running gore of my sores.] he girdeth me about [God namely] as the collar of my coat. [Heb. The mouth of, etc. The meaning is, that God had so closely begirt his body, round about with pains and aches, as the upper-part, or hole of a coat, where one puts the head through, encompasseth the neck.]

19. He hath flung me into the mire, [i.e. made me to fall into the utmost reproach and scorn of all. Thus the word mire is likewise taken, Psalms 40:3. and 69.15. Mich.7.10.] and I am become like dust and ashes, [See Gen.18.27. and the annot.]

20. I cry unto thee [viz. O God] but thou answerest me not: I stand, [viz. Waiting for thy help, to praying to thee, intreating thee.] but thou heedest me not. [Oth. And thou doest observe me; viz. Without shewing any mercy to me: as in the next verse.]

21. Thou art changed into a cruel (one) against me: [even against thy own nature and custom.] by the strength of thine hand, thou doest with stand me hatefully. [Compare above 13.24. and 16.9. Jerem.30.14.]

22. Thou liftest me up into the wind, thou makest me ride (upon it): [i.e. thou turnest and tossest me about, soul and body, by the fierceness of thy wrath, no otherwise than straw and stubble is taken up, tossed, turned and hurled about by a mighty whirl wind.] and thou meltest my substance [i.e. my life and faculties altogether. See of the Hebrew word, above 5.on v.12.]

23. For I know, that thou shalt bring me to death, and to the house of the assembly of all living. [Men namely, so Psalm.143.2. i.e. unto the grave, or the place, which by God is appointed for the dead bodies of men, until the day of Resurrection. Oth. The house of appointment, i.e. the appointed house.]

24. But he [God namely] shall not put forth the hand to the earth-heap: [i.e. to those that are buried in the earth: namely, to plague them yet further here, according to the body. His meaning is, that the sufferings of the body, were to end with the bodily death; and that consequently by that he should be rid and freed of his present grief and vexation. Compare above chap.7.21.] is there (any) cry with them. [viz.with those dead bodies that ly in the graves.] in his oppression? [i.e. wherewith God hath oppressed them, viz. When as he felled their bodies to the ground by death. Is there then [will Job say any crying or complaining yet in the dead bodies, which ly hid in the graves, for any pain that they should be sensible of. He implieth there is none, as experience also sheweth.]

25. Did I not weep [This question doth strongly affirm, that he had done so; or it may be a kind of oath, wherein the imprecated punishment is concealed which he was to undergo in case od perjury, or if he had not done so: But in regard he had done it, he declareth thus, that is was to be admired, none should have compassion on him.] over him that had hard days? [Heb. Over the hard of days.] was not my soul anguished over the needy?

26. (Nevertheless) when I expected good then came evil; when I hoped for light, [i.e. prosperity and welfare. See above 18.5.] then came obscurity. [i.e. adversity and mischief. See Gen.15.on v.12.]

27. My entrails boil, [i.e. they are so distempered and troubled through the greatness of mine affliction and disease, as if it were water seething and boiling over a great fire.] and are not still: the days of oppression have prevented me. [i.e. are come upon me beyond my expectation, and have surprised me as it were when I was in hope that according to mine integrity, I should have enjoyed many good and comfortable days yet.]

28. I go black along, not from the sun: [But enough the grievousness of my disease, and the violence of my suffering, which consumeth and exhausteth me.] rising up I cry out. [i.e. make a shrieking, woeful sound, proceeding from the sensibleness of my pains.] in the Congregation. [i.e. in the assembly of men of worth where men use, not to be loud, but to refrain noises, for manners sake.]

29. I am become a Brother to the Dragons; and a companion of the young Ostriches. [Heb. Daughters of the Ostriches; and so Leviticus 11:16. compare Lev.chap.1.on v.14. The sense of this verse is, that he was become like unto these brute creatures; in regard of the hideous shreekings and howlings which he made, for such is ascribed unto these beasts, Mich.1.8. The words Brother and Companion do signify one here, who in certain respect is compared with somewhat else. See Genesis49.5. and Prov.18.9. and the annot.]

30. My skin is grown black upon me: [See above on v.28.] and my bones are kindled [he meaneth that his body, and the very inmost parts of it were consumed] [See above chap.21.on verse 24. Upon the word marrow.]

31. For his my harp is turned to a mourning-plaint, and my organs to a voice of the weeping (ones) [i.e. my joy is turned into sorrow and lamentation, through the grievousness of mine affliction.]