Job 30:15

Authorized King James Version

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Terrors are turned upon me: they pursue my soul as the wind: and my welfare passeth away as a cloud.

Original Language Analysis

הָהְפַּ֥ךְ are turned H2015
הָהְפַּ֥ךְ are turned
Strong's: H2015
Word #: 1 of 9
to turn about or over; by implication, to change, overturn, return, pervert
עָלַ֗י H5921
עָלַ֗י
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 2 of 9
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
בַּלָּ֫ה֥וֹת Terrors H1091
בַּלָּ֫ה֥וֹת Terrors
Strong's: H1091
Word #: 3 of 9
alarm; hence, destruction
תִּרְדֹּ֣ף upon me they pursue H7291
תִּרְדֹּ֣ף upon me they pursue
Strong's: H7291
Word #: 4 of 9
to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively [of time] gone by)
כָּ֭רוּחַ as the wind H7307
כָּ֭רוּחַ as the wind
Strong's: H7307
Word #: 5 of 9
wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the
נְדִבָתִ֑י my soul H5082
נְדִבָתִ֑י my soul
Strong's: H5082
Word #: 6 of 9
properly, nobility, i.e., reputation
וּ֝כְעָ֗ב as a cloud H5645
וּ֝כְעָ֗ב as a cloud
Strong's: H5645
Word #: 7 of 9
properly, an envelope, i.e., darkness (or density, 2 chronicles 4:17); specifically, a (scud) cloud; also a copse
עָבְרָ֥ה passeth away H5674
עָבְרָ֥ה passeth away
Strong's: H5674
Word #: 8 of 9
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
יְשֻׁעָתִֽי׃ and my welfare H3444
יְשֻׁעָתִֽי׃ and my welfare
Strong's: H3444
Word #: 9 of 9
something saved, i.e., (abstractly) deliverance; hence, aid, victory, prosperity

Analysis & Commentary

Terrors are turned upon me (הָפַךְ עָלַי בַּלָּהוֹת)—The verb haphak (הָפַךְ) means to turn, overturn, or transform; ballahot (בַּלָּהוֹת) means terrors, sudden frights, or things that cause dismay. What Job once knew as blessing has been turned into horror. The same hand that gave has taken (1:21), but the psychological effect is terrifying uncertainty—if God can reverse everything overnight, there's no security.

They pursue my soul as the wind (וַתִּרְדֹּף כָּרוּחַ נְדִבָתִי)—Radaph (רָדַף) means to pursue, chase, or persecute; nedivah (נְדִיבָה) means willing spirit, nobility, or soul. The wind metaphor suggests invisible, ungraspable pursuit—Job cannot fight what he cannot see or catch. My welfare passeth away as a cloud (וַתַּעֲבֹר כָּעָב יְשֻׁעָתִי)—Yeshu'ah (יְשׁוּעָה) means salvation, deliverance, or welfare; av (עָב) means cloud or dark cloud. What was substantial has become vapor, dissipating before his eyes. Isaiah uses similar imagery: our righteousness is as 'a vapor' (Isaiah 64:6).

Historical Context

Terror (ballahot) in ancient thought included both physical dangers and psychological dread. Job's terrors are comprehensive: social, physical, emotional, spiritual. The wind and cloud metaphors were common in Hebrew poetry for transience—morning clouds that vanish (Hosea 6:4), wind that blows and is gone (Psalm 103:16). Ancient Near Eastern peoples, dependent on predictable seasons and weather, understood the anxiety of beneficial conditions (clouds bringing rain) disappearing. Job's security has proven as reliable as morning mist.

Questions for Reflection