Job 30 10

Job 30:10 kjv

They abhor me, they flee far from me, and spare not to spit in my face.

Job 30:10 nkjv

They abhor me, they keep far from me; They do not hesitate to spit in my face.

Job 30:10 niv

They detest me and keep their distance; they do not hesitate to spit in my face.

Job 30:10 esv

They abhor me; they keep aloof from me; they do not hesitate to spit at the sight of me.

Job 30:10 nlt

They despise me and won't come near me,
except to spit in my face.

Job 30 verses

Job 30 10 Meaning

Job 30:10 describes the profound and humiliating rejection Job endures. Those who now despise him physically distance themselves and openly demonstrate their contempt by spitting in his face. This verse illustrates Job's utter degradation and the reversal of his societal status, emphasizing his complete isolation and public disgrace at the hands of those who previously would not have dared to disrespect him.

Job 30 10 Context

Job chapter 30 forms a stark contrast to chapter 29, where Job recounted his former days of glory, respect, and influence within the community. In chapter 29, he described how people of all statuses, from elders to nobles, honored him and sought his wisdom. Chapter 30, however, brutally details Job's present-day suffering, focusing on his extreme physical ailments, the loss of his reputation, and, most painfully, the scorn and ridicule he now endures from the very dregs of society—young men and outcasts (Job 30:1-8) who were once beneath him and whose ancestors Job had described with disdain.

Verse 10 falls within Job's lament over this complete reversal of fortune. He is not only experiencing pain and material loss but also public humiliation, mockery, and outright physical assault. The verse emphasizes the absolute depth of his degradation, stripped of all dignity and treated with profound contempt by those who held no respect for anything, let alone Job's former standing. This reflects the severity of social ostracism in ancient Near Eastern culture, where one's honor and standing within the community were paramount.

Job 30 10 Word analysis

• "They abhor me" (יִשְׂחֲרוּנִי - yisḥărûnî): Derived from the root śāḥar, meaning to draw away, turn away in disgust, treat with scorn or revulsion. This signifies a profound, active rejection where Job is considered loathsome and repugnant. It's more than just dislike; it implies that they view him as something to be shunned completely. This term vividly portrays the depth of animosity directed at Job, portraying him as a figure worthy only of complete contempt and aversion.

• "they stand aloof from me" (וַיַּרְחִקוּ מֶנִּי - wa·yYar·ḥi·qū men·nî): From the root râchaq, meaning "to be far," or "removed." This denotes a deliberate physical and social distancing. In a collectivistic, communal society like ancient Israel, such isolation was an ultimate punishment, stripping an individual of all social support, identity, and security. It underlines that Job is not merely ignored, but actively avoided and segregated, emphasizing his complete abandonment by his community.

• "and do not spare" (וְלֹא חָשְׂכוּ - wə·lō chāśəkū): Literally, "and they did not withhold" or "they did not refrain." This conveys the idea of unrestrained action. The contempt shown to Job is not grudging or subtle but open, aggressive, and without any sense of reservation or pity. Their malice is unhindered, indicating a profound and active hostility towards him.

• "to spit in my face" (מִפּוּק לְפָנָי - mippûq ləfānāy, though mippûq is a difficult and rare form, it conveys "spewing/spitting before" him. The verb for spit is יָרַק - yaraq, commonly found with this action, and the phrase ləfānāy means "before my face" or "in my presence"). Spitting on someone, especially directly in their face, was a universal act of profound contempt, defilement, and ultimate degradation in ancient Near Eastern and other cultures. It symbolizes the stripping away of a person's dignity and honor, rendering them worthless and defiled. It signifies the absolute zenith of scorn.

  • Significance: In a culture profoundly shaped by honor and shame, this act was not merely an physical assault but a ritualistic public shaming. It publicly declared Job's worthlessness, branding him as utterly dishonorable. This type of action highlights the depths of Job's fall from a place of respect to utter disgrace.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "They abhor me, they stand aloof from me": This pairing emphasizes Job's total social ostracism and the psychological anguish it inflicts. It highlights a dual rejection: not only are people disgusted by him (abhor), but they also physically and socially distance themselves (stand aloof). This combination reveals the comprehensive nature of his abandonment by society.
  • "and do not spare to spit in my face": This phrase dramatically illustrates the extreme, unrestrained contempt and physical humiliation Job endures. It underlines the sheer malice of his tormentors, who inflict the most defiling and publicly degrading act upon him without any reservation, further signifying his absolute loss of honor and public standing.

Job 30 10 Bonus section

• The rare verbal form for "spit" (mippûq) adds an element of unusual and deliberate effrontery, almost implying a violent, forced expulsion of contempt.
• The full degradation is more poignant given that Job's accusers are explicitly identified in Job 30:1-8 as individuals who themselves were outcast, demonstrating the ironic and cruel nature of his fall from grace where the lowest now oppress the formerly highest.
• Job's experience serves as a theological precursor to understanding suffering, not always as a consequence of sin, but sometimes as an inexplicable test that includes the most bitter forms of social rejection and humiliation, leading to greater glorification for the faithful and revealing the nature of true faith.

Job 30 10 Commentary

Job 30:10 represents the climax of Job's profound degradation, encompassing not just physical affliction and material ruin but, crucially, the public agony of scorn and total social alienation. This verse lays bare the depth of Job's anguish: being humiliated by those of lesser standing (as described in Job 30:1-8), after having been so highly esteemed (Job 29), is an excruciating inversion of his societal role. The act of spitting, deeply symbolic of extreme contempt and defilement in the ancient world, serves as the ultimate expression of this humiliation, signifying that Job is considered utterly worthless and beneath reproach. Job's experience vividly foreshadows the undeserved humiliation and public disgrace endured by the Messiah, who was also spat upon and treated with utmost scorn (Matthew 26:67; Isaiah 50:6). The verse profoundly illustrates the painful reality of human cruelty and the profound suffering of righteous individuals facing unjust and complete societal rejection. This can be seen in Christian lives, where faithfulness to Christ can invite scorn or alienation from a hostile world (John 15:19).