Job 30

2. In whom old age was perished. Rather, “full age”; i.e., who were too feeble to attain matured strength.

3 desolate and waste. Rather, “Emaciated by want and famine; gnawing in the wilderness yesternight, the utterly desolate land”—persons who sought the roots of the desert for food.

4. Who cut up mallows. Or, “pluck up salt-wort” (salsola) or “orache.” For the juniper or retem, see Gen. xxi. 15 and note.

5. They were driven forth. Outcasts on account of their habits and crimes.

6 cliffs. Or, clefts. Ordinary editions of the A.V. here read cliffs, perhaps an early misprint.

7 under the nettles. Heb., charul. There is a plant called by the Arabs khardul, a species of wild mustard, like our charlock, which springs up in uncultivated places, and is tall enough to conceal a horse and his rider.

8. They were viler than the earth. Rather, “They were expelled from the land.”

12 the youth. Rather, “a brood”; i.e., a worthless rabble.

they raise up, etc. Or, as R.V., “they cast up against me their ways of destruction.”

14. They came upon me as a wide breaking in, etc. Rather, “Like a wide breaking-in they come; in the midst of the desolation they roll in.” As through a breach in a wall.

15 my soul. Literally, “my honour.”

17 my sinews. Rather, “my gnawings” (see ver. 3); i.e., my gnawing pains.

18. By the great force, etc. Literally, “With great force my garment is disguised; as the opening of my tunic is girdeth me.” Instead of falling gracefully like the folds of an Oriental dress, it has become misshapen and squalid.

20. Thou regardest me not. Rather, “Thou lookest upon me”; with apparent unconcern.

22 to ride upon it. That is, to be borne upon it, like chaff.

24. Howbeit he will not, etc. Rather, “Doth not he who is in adversity (lit., a heap, i.e., of ruin: not grave, as A.V.) stretch out his hand [for aid]? If any one is in desolation, is there not consequently a cry [for help]?” May not I, then, look for help, who have always extended it to others (25), and had good reason to expect prosperity (26)?

27 prevented me. Or, “are come upon me” (R.V.). The tenses here and in the following verses should be present.

28. I went mourning without the sun. “I wail, with none to comfort me” (Moffatt).

29 dragons. “Jackals,” R.V., the animals of the desert; as are the “ostriches” (not owls) in the next clause.

30. My skin is black upon me. Literally, “becomes black from upon me,” i.e., blackens and falls from me.

31 my organ, etc. Or, “pipe”; my joy is turned into grief.