Job 30:9
Job 30:9 in Multiple Translations
And now they mock me in song; I have become a byword among them.
And now am I their song, yea, I am their byword.
And now I am become their song, Yea, I am a byword unto them.
And now I have become their song, and I am a word of shame to them.
Yet now they mock me in their songs; I have become a joke to them!
And now am I their song, and I am their talke.
And now, their song I have been, And I am to them for a byword.
“Now I have become their song. Yes, I am a byword to them.
And now I am their song, yes, I am their by-word.
Now I am turned into their song, and am become their byword.
“And now their children sing songs to make fun of me. They tell jokes about me.
Berean Amplified Bible — Job 30:9
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Job 30:9 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ֭/עַתָּה
נְגִינָתָ֣/ם
הָיִ֑יתִי
וָ/אֱהִ֖י
לָ/הֶ֣ם
לְ/מִלָּֽה
וְ֭/עַתָּה
ʻattâh
H6258
now
Conj | Adv
נְגִינָתָ֣/ם
nᵉgîynâh
H5058
music
N-fs | Suff
הָיִ֑יתִי
hâyâh
H1961
to be
V-Qal-Perf-1cs
וָ/אֱהִ֖י
hâyâh
H1961
to be
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-1cs
לָ/הֶ֣ם
Prep | Suff
לְ/מִלָּֽה
millâh
H4405
speech
Prep | N-fs
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Job 30:9
וְ֭/עַתָּה
ʻattâh
H6258
"now"
Conj | Adv
This word means now or at this time, like in Exodus when God says now is the time to act. It can also be used to connect ideas or show a change in time, as seen in the book of Isaiah.
Definition: 1) now 1a) now 1b) in phrases
Usage: Occurs in 422 OT verses. KJV: henceforth, now, straightway, this time, whereas. See also: Genesis 3:22; Joshua 24:23; 2 Samuel 24:13.
נְגִינָתָ֣/ם
nᵉgîynâh
H5058
"music"
N-fs | Suff
This word refers to music or song, especially instrumental music played on a stringed instrument. In the Bible, it is used to describe the music played by musicians or the songs sung by worshipers.
Definition: 1) music, song, taunt song 1a) music (of stringed instrument) 1b) song 1b1) taunting or mocking song
Usage: Occurs in 14 OT verses. KJV: stringed instrument, musick, Neginoth (plural), song. See also: Job 30:9; Psalms 69:13; Psalms 4:1.
הָיִ֑יתִי
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
V-Qal-Perf-1cs
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
וָ/אֱהִ֖י
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-1cs
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
לָ/הֶ֣ם
""
Prep | Suff
לְ/מִלָּֽה
millâh
H4405
"speech"
Prep | N-fs
This Hebrew word means a word or speech, and can also refer to a topic or subject. It's used in the Bible to describe what people say or talk about.
Definition: word, speech, utterance Aramaic equivalent: mil.lah (מִלָּה "word" H4406)
Usage: Occurs in 38 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] answer, by-word, matter, any thing (what) to say, to speak(-ing), speak, talking, word. See also: 2 Samuel 23:2; Job 30:9; Psalms 19:5.
Study Notes — Job 30:9
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Job 30:9 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Job 30:9
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 30:9
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 30:9
- Trapp's Commentary on Job 30:9
- Ellicott's Commentary on Job 30:9
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 30:9
- Cambridge Bible on Job 30:9
- Barnes' Notes on Job 30:9
- Whedon's Commentary on Job 30:9
Context — Job’s Honor Turned to Contempt
7They cried out among the shrubs and huddled beneath the nettles.
8A senseless and nameless brood, they were driven off the land.
9And now they mock me in song; I have become a byword among them.
10They abhor me and keep far from me; they do not hesitate to spit in my face. 11Because God has unstrung my bow and afflicted me, they have cast off restraint in my presence.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lamentations 3:63 | When they sit and when they rise, see how they mock me in song. |
| 2 | Job 17:6 | He has made me a byword among the people, a man in whose face they spit. |
| 3 | Lamentations 3:14 | I am a laughingstock to all my people; they mock me in song all day long. |
| 4 | Psalms 69:11–12 | I made sackcloth my clothing, and I was sport to them. Those who sit at the gate mock me, and I am the song of drunkards. |
| 5 | Job 12:4 | I am a laughingstock to my friends, though I called on God, and He answered. The righteous and upright man is a laughingstock. |
| 6 | Psalms 35:15–16 | But when I stumbled, they assembled in glee; they gathered together against me. Assailants I did not know slandered me without ceasing. Like godless jesters at a feast, they gnashed their teeth at me. |
| 7 | Psalms 44:14 | You have made us a byword among the nations, a laughingstock among the peoples. |
Job 30:9 Summary
[In Job 30:9, Job is saying that people are making fun of him and singing songs that mock him, which is a very painful and difficult experience. This is similar to how the Psalmist felt in Psalm 69:12, where he was mocked and ridiculed by his enemies. Despite this, Job continues to trust in God and seek to understand why this is happening to him, as seen in Job 42:1-6. We can learn from Job's example to trust in God's goodness and sovereignty, even when things don't make sense, and to remember that our worth and identity come from God, not from what others think of us, as encouraged in Romans 8:31 and 1 Peter 2:20.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to be a byword among people?
To be a byword means to be a subject of mockery or ridicule, as seen in Job 30:9, where Job is speaking about his current state of suffering and how others are treating him, similar to how the Psalmist felt in Psalm 69:12.
Why are the people in Job 30:9 mocking him in song?
The people are mocking Job in song because they see him as an outcast and someone who has been rejected by God, as stated in Job 30:10-11, and this is reminiscent of how the Israelites were treated in Exodus 32:25 when they sinned against God.
How does this verse relate to the overall theme of the book of Job?
This verse highlights Job's suffering and the way others are treating him, which is a central theme throughout the book of Job, as seen in Job 1:1-3 and Job 42:1-6, where Job's faith and trust in God are ultimately what sustain him.
What can we learn from Job's experience in this verse?
We can learn that even in the midst of great suffering and ridicule, we must continue to trust in God and not let the opinions of others define us, as encouraged in Romans 8:31 and 1 Peter 2:20.
Reflection Questions
- How do I respond when others mock or ridicule me, and what can I learn from Job's example in this verse?
- In what ways can I trust in God's sovereignty and goodness, even when faced with suffering or hardship, as seen in Job 30:9?
- How can I balance my desire for human approval with my need to follow God and do what is right, as seen in Job 30:10-11?
- What are some ways that I can support and encourage others who are going through difficult times, rather than mocking or ridiculing them?
Gill's Exposition on Job 30:9
And now am I their song,.... The subject of their song, of whom they sung ballads about the streets, in public places, and at their festivals and merriments, as Christ the antitype of Job was the
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 30:9
And now am I their song, yea, I am their byword. (Job 17:6.) Strikingly similar to the derision Jesus Christ underwent (Lamentations 3:14; Psalms 69:12). Here Job returns to the sentiment in Job 30:1.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 30:9
The matter of their song and derision. They now rejoice in my calamities, because formerly I used my authority to punish such vagrants and miscreants.
Trapp's Commentary on Job 30:9
Job 30:9 And now am I their song, yea, I am their byword.Ver. 9. And now am I their song] They compose comedies out of my tragedies, and make themselves merry in my misery; they not only make ballads and sonnets of my sufferings, but also play them upon their instruments, as the Hebrew word importeth. Yea, I am their byword] Sermonis argumentum , the matter of their discourse; I am all their talk; neither have they anything else whereof to chat and babble, but only of me; yea, to make my disgraces to pass into a proverb, they call all miserable men by my name, De me confabulantur et contemptim loquuntur (Disc.). The ale stakes served David in like sort; the drunkards upon their ale bench tossed his name as dogs do carrion, making him their ballad and their byword, Psalms 69:12. The whole Church complaineth of the like contempt, Psalms 79:4 Lamentations 3:14; Lamentations 3:63 Ezekiel 33:32. Thus when the invincible Armada, as they called it, was coming for England, Don Bernardino Mendoza, the Spanish ambassador in France, solaced himself with a vain and false poem or song of England’ s miseries; which, as a triumph before the victory, he absurdly printed (Cambd. Eliz.). The gunpowder traitors also did the like in their sevenfold psalmody, as they called it; that devilish ditty, which secretly the Papists passed from hand to hand with tunes set to be sung or played. The matter consisted of railing upon King Edward VI, Queen Elizabeth, King James, and others; of petition, imprecation, prophecy, and praise (Spec. Bell.
Sacr.).
Ellicott's Commentary on Job 30:9
(9) And now am I their song.—See the references in the margin, which show that it is quite appropriate to give to the complaints of Job a Messianic interpretation.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 30:9
Verse 9. Now am I their song] I am the subject of their mirth, and serve as a proverb or by-word. They use me with every species of indignity.
Cambridge Bible on Job 30:9
9–10. Job’s treatment now at the hands of these outcasts. With “spit in my face” comp. ch. Job 17:6. In ch. 24. Job referred to this miserable race With compassion; they had often no doubt excited his pity, and he saw in their lot and in the injustice and cruelties which they suffered at the hands of more prosperous men a strange mystery of providence. Now he speaks of their conduct to himself with resentment; for it was no requital of any injury he had ever done them. Yet though they might mistake Job’s individual feeling to them, he was one of the class that had robbed them and that continued the robbery and oppression, and they avenged their wrongs on him with a malicious delight in the calamities that had overtaken him.
Barnes' Notes on Job 30:9
And now am I their song - See Job 17:6; compare Psalms 69:12, “I was the song of the drunkards;” Lamentations 3:14, “I was a derision to all my people, and their song all the day.” The sense is, that
Whedon's Commentary on Job 30:9
Second strophe — These human outcasts are led on to such brutal usage of Job by the treatment he had received at the hands of God, who had himself set the example, by letting loose his horde of