Job 30:10
They abhor me, they flee far from me, and spare not to spit in my face.
Original Language Analysis
רָ֣חֲקוּ
me they flee far
H7368
רָ֣חֲקוּ
me they flee far
Strong's:
H7368
Word #:
2 of 7
to widen (in any direction), i.e., (intransitively) recede or (transitively) remove (literally or figuratively, of place or relation)
מֶ֑נִּי
H4480
מֶ֑נִּי
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
3 of 7
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
וּ֝מִפָּנַ֗י
in my face
H6440
וּ֝מִפָּנַ֗י
in my face
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
4 of 7
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
לֹא
H3808
לֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
5 of 7
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
Cross References
Isaiah 50:6I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting.Matthew 26:67Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands,Psalms 88:8Thou hast put away mine acquaintance far from me; thou hast made me an abomination unto them: I am shut up, and I cannot come forth.Numbers 12:14And the LORD said unto Moses, If her father had but spit in her face, should she not be ashamed seven days? let her be shut out from the camp seven days, and after that let her be received in again.Deuteronomy 25:9Then shall his brother's wife come unto him in the presence of the elders, and loose his shoe from off his foot, and spit in his face, and shall answer and say, So shall it be done unto that man that will not build up his brother's house.Matthew 27:30And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head.
Historical Context
Spitting in someone's face was ancient Israel's supreme expression of contempt, used in cases of public shaming or covenant breaking. The law prescribed it for a brother who refused levirate marriage (Deuteronomy 25:9). Miriam's leprosy punishment included the image of her father spitting in her face (Numbers 12:14). That Job—a man of unimpeachable integrity—receives this treatment shows complete social breakdown. The righteous sufferer becomes the object of scorn reserved for covenant breakers and lepers.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Job's experience of abandonment and contempt prepare us to understand Christ's passion?
- Why do people often withdraw from those who suffer? How can we resist this impulse?
- What does it mean to stand with those whom society has deemed 'untouchable' or cursed?
Analysis & Commentary
They abhor me (תִּעֲבוּנִי)—The Hebrew ta'av (תָּעַב) expresses visceral disgust, ritual uncleanness, the same term for abominations God hates. Former admirers now treat Job as contaminated. They flee far from me (רָחֲקוּ מִמֶּנִּי)—Physical distance accompanies emotional rejection; they won't risk proximity to one cursed. This isolates Job completely—the universal human response to suffering is often withdrawal, fearing contagion or discomfort.
Spare not to spit in my face (וְלֹא־חָשְׂכוּ מִפָּנַי רֹק)—Spitting in someone's face constituted the gravest insult in Hebrew culture (Numbers 12:14, Deuteronomy 25:9). The verb chasak (חָשַׂךְ) means to withhold or restrain—they don't hold back from ultimate contempt. Isaiah 50:6 prophesies the Suffering Servant would endure this: 'I hid not my face from shame and spitting.' Matthew 26:67 and 27:30 record Christ's literal fulfillment—spat upon during His trial and crucifixion.