Westminster Annotations, Job · Chapter 30
CHAP. XXX.
Verse 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.
V. 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.
V. 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.
V. 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.
V. 6. caves] Heb. holes.
V. 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.
V. 8. base-men] Heb. men of no name, Gen. 6. 4.
V. 9. And now am I their song] Psal. 35. 15. and 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.
V. 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, Num. 12. 14. Isai. 50. 6.
V. 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.
V. 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. Lam. 3. 5.
V. 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.
V. 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.
V. 16. my soul is poured out upon me] Melted with grief, 1 Sam. 1. 15. Psal. 42. 4.
V. 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.
V. 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.
V. 19. He hath cast me into the mire] God hath brought me into contempt.
V. 20. I cry unto thee] Psal. 22. 2. Lam. 3. 44.
V. 21. Thou art become cruell to me] Contrary to thy nature and former bounty, thou dealest harshly with me, Psal. 77. 9. Jere. 30. 14.
become cruell] Heb. turned to be cruel, Isai. 63. 10.
thy strong hand] Heb. the strength of thy hand.
V. 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.
V. 23. thou wilt bring me to death] I know I shall die shortly, and come to the grave, Psal. 49. 14.
V. 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.
V. 25. Did not I weep for him that was in trouble] Psal. 35. 13. Rom. 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.
V. 26. When] Or, Yet when.
I looked for good] Jere. 8. 15.
V. 27. the dayes of affliction prevemed me] Came upon me unlooked for.
V. 28. I went mourning without the sun] Psal. 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.
V. 29. I am a brother to dragons] Psal. 102. 6. I love solitarinesse and mourning, Mic. 1. 8. as wilde beasts do.
owls] Or, ostriches.
V. 30. My skin is black upon me] With heat of affliction, Psal. 119. 83. Lam. 4. 8. and 5. 10.