Job 30:25
Did not I weep for him that was in trouble? was not my soul grieved for the poor?
Original Language Analysis
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
1 of 8
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
2 of 8
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
לִקְשֵׁה
for him that was in trouble
H7186
לִקְשֵׁה
for him that was in trouble
Strong's:
H7186
Word #:
4 of 8
severe (in various applications)
י֑וֹם
H3117
י֑וֹם
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
5 of 8
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern wisdom literature emphasized reciprocal justice—righteous behavior should yield blessing, wickedness curse. Job's appeal to his compassionate past assumes this framework, making his present suffering incomprehensible. His advocacy for the poor aligns with covenantal ethics later codified in Mosaic law, suggesting universal moral law predating Sinai.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you respond when practicing compassion toward others doesn't prevent your own suffering?
- What does Job's appeal to his moral record teach about the relationship between righteousness and expected blessing?
- How can we maintain compassion for others' suffering even while experiencing our own?
Analysis & Commentary
Did not I weep for him that was in trouble? (הֲלֹא־בָכִיתִי לִקְשֵׁה־יוֹם, halo-vakhiti liqsheh-yom)—The verb bakah (בָּכָה) means 'to weep' or 'lament.' Qasheh-yom (קְשֵׁה־יוֹם) literally means 'hard of day,' referring to one experiencing difficult times. Job appeals to his track record of compassion, having wept with the afflicted.
Was not my soul grieved for the poor? (עָֽגְמָה נַפְשִׁי לָאֶבְיוֹן, agemah nafshi la-evyon)—The verb agam (עָגַם) means 'to be grieved' or 'troubled.' Evyon (אֶבְיוֹן) denotes the poor, needy, or destitute, those lacking basic resources. Job's soul-deep grief (nefesh, נֶפֶשׁ) for the poor demonstrated authentic covenant compassion (cf. Deuteronomy 15:7-11).
This verse reveals Job's moral perplexity: he lived righteously, showing mercy to sufferers, yet now experiences suffering without corresponding help. The implied question—'Why doesn't God show me the compassion I showed others?'—raises theodicy's core problem. James 2:13 later affirms: 'mercy rejoiceth against judgment'—those who show mercy receive mercy. Job's protest highlights the apparent violation of this principle, anticipating Jesus's teaching that compassionate people receive divine compassion (Matthew 5:7).