Job 30:2
Yea, whereto might the strength of their hands profit me, in whom old age was perished?
Original Language Analysis
גַּם
H1571
גַּם
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
1 of 8
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
כֹּ֣חַ
might the strength
H3581
כֹּ֣חַ
might the strength
Strong's:
H3581
Word #:
2 of 8
vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means, produce)
יְ֭דֵיהֶם
of their hands
H3027
יְ֭דֵיהֶם
of their hands
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
3 of 8
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
לָ֣מָּה
Yea whereto
H4100
לָ֣מָּה
Yea whereto
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
4 of 8
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
עָ֝לֵ֗ימוֹ
H5921
עָ֝לֵ֗ימוֹ
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
6 of 8
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern society was rigidly hierarchical, with elders commanding absolute respect (Leviticus 19:32). Job's earlier description of his honor (Job 29) contrasts sharply with this degradation. The outcasts he describes were likely landless nomads, criminals, or those exiled for various offenses—the 'untouchables' of ancient Israelite society.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Job's social reversal help us identify with Christ's descent to humiliation?
- When have you experienced mockery from those you once served or helped?
- What does Job 30 teach about the Christian paradox that exaltation comes through humiliation?
Analysis & Commentary
Yea, whereto might the strength of their hands profit me (גַּם־כֹּחַ יְדֵיהֶם לָמָּה לִּי)—Job describes outcasts so degraded that even their labor (כֹּחַ, koach, strength) was worthless. The rhetorical question expresses contempt. In whom old age was perished (עָלֵימוֹ אָבַד כָּלַח)—The kalach (כָּלַח, vigor of old age, ripeness) had 'perished' (אָבַד, avad), meaning they aged prematurely through hardship, never reaching dignified maturity.
This begins Job's devastating lament about his social reversal (Job 30:1-15)—those he once pitied now mock him. The Hebrew emphasizes the shocking inversion: respected elder becomes object of derision from society's refuse. This prefigures Christ, 'despised and rejected' (Isaiah 53:3), mocked by those He came to save. Job's descent into social death anticipates the ultimate innocent sufferer.