Job 30:19
He hath cast me into the mire, and I am become like dust and ashes.
Original Language Analysis
הֹרָ֥נִי
He hath cast
H3384
הֹרָ֥נִי
He hath cast
Strong's:
H3384
Word #:
1 of 5
properly, to flow as water (i.e., to rain); transitively, to lay or throw (especially an arrow, i.e., to shoot); figuratively, to point out (as if by
לַחֹ֑מֶר
me into the mire
H2563
לַחֹ֑מֶר
me into the mire
Strong's:
H2563
Word #:
2 of 5
properly, a bubbling up, i.e., of water, a wave; hence, a chomer or dry measure
וָ֝אֶתְמַשֵּׁ֗ל
and I am become like
H4911
וָ֝אֶתְמַשֵּׁ֗ל
and I am become like
Strong's:
H4911
Word #:
3 of 5
to liken, i.e., (transitively) to use figurative language (an allegory, adage, song or the like); intransitively, to resemble
Historical Context
Dust and ashes symbolized mourning, repentance, and human mortality throughout ancient Near Eastern cultures. Sitting in ashes expressed grief (2 Samuel 13:19), while dust represented human origin (Genesis 2:7, 3:19). Job's description uses creation imagery (clay, dust) to express how suffering reduces humans to their elemental state, stripping away dignity and status.
Questions for Reflection
- How does suffering strip away pretense and reveal our fundamental creatureliness?
- What is the relationship between Job's enforced humiliation and the voluntary humility required to meet God?
- How does Christ's voluntary descent to humiliation transform the meaning of our suffering and lowliness?
Analysis & Commentary
Job laments his condition: "He hath cast me into the mire, and I am become like dust and ashes." The verb yarah (יָרָה, "cast") means to throw or hurl forcefully. The noun chomer (חֹמֶר, "mire") denotes clay or mud. Job describes himself as reduced to "dust and ashes" (aphar va'epher, עָפָר וָאֵפֶר)—the very phrase he'll use confessing human frailty before God (42:6). From a Reformed perspective, Job's description reveals the humiliation suffering brings while anticipating his ultimate posture before God. The phrase "dust and ashes" occurs at key moments: Abraham's self-description before God (Genesis 18:27) and Job's final repentance (42:6). Job's lament ironically prepares him for proper perspective—recognizing creatureliness as the foundation for meeting God. Philippians 2:5-8 describes Christ's similar descent, taking the form of a servant and humbling Himself—voluntary self-abasement that leads to exaltation.