Job 30:14

KJV

They came [upon me] as a wide breaking in [of waters]: in the desolation they rolled themselves [upon me].

KJV (with Strong's)

They came {H857} upon me as a wide {H7342} breaking {H6556} in of waters: in {H8478} the desolation {H7722} they rolled {H1556} themselves upon me.

Complete Jewish Bible

They move in as through a wide gap; amid the ruin they roll on in waves.

Berean Standard Bible

They advance as through a wide breach; through the ruins they keep rolling in.

American Standard Version

As through a wide breach they come: In the midst of the ruin they roll themselves upon me.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 30:14 vividly portrays the patriarch's overwhelming suffering through the powerful imagery of a catastrophic flood. It describes his afflictions as an unstoppable torrent, a "wide breaking in of waters," that has suddenly engulfed him, leaving him in utter "desolation." This verse encapsulates Job's profound sense of helplessness and despair, as he feels relentlessly assaulted by forces beyond his control, emphasizing the complete ruin and emptiness that has consumed his life.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 30 marks a dramatic shift in Job's lament. Following his eloquent defense and longing for his former prosperity in [Job 29](/job/29 "Job 29 - Job's Former Prosperity"), Job 30 plunges into the depths of his current humiliation and suffering. He describes how he is now mocked and abused even by those younger and less esteemed than himself, people he would have disdained (Job 30:1-13). This verse, [Job 30:14](/job/30-14 "Job 30:14 - Job's Overwhelming Calamity"), intensifies the imagery of his distress, moving from social ostracism to a cosmic sense of being overwhelmed by destructive forces. The "they" in this verse, while possibly referring to his tormentors, more broadly symbolizes the relentless, crushing nature of his afflictions, which have breached the defenses of his life, leaving him utterly exposed and ruined.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, the imagery of floods and raging waters was a potent symbol of chaos, divine judgment, and overwhelming destruction. Unlike the controlled, life-giving irrigation of the Nile in Egypt, sudden, uncontrolled floods in the desert regions of the Levant could be catastrophic, wiping out settlements and livelihoods. This cultural understanding amplifies the terror and finality of Job's description. Furthermore, the concept of social honor and shame was paramount; Job's profound humiliation at the hands of those beneath him was not merely inconvenient but a fundamental assault on his identity and standing, making his "desolation" not just physical but also social and existential.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes in the book of Job. It highlights the theme of **overwhelming calamity**, portraying suffering not as a series of isolated incidents but as an uncontrollable deluge that breaches all defenses. It underscores Job's profound **loss of control** and **helplessness** in the face of his trials, a central aspect of his lament throughout the book, as seen in his desperate pleas in [Job 7:1-6](/job/7-1 "Job 7:1-6 - Job's Despair"). The "desolation" speaks to the theme of **utter ruin and emptiness**, where everything familiar and comforting has been stripped away. Ultimately, the verse also touches upon the theme of **divine abandonment** from Job's perspective, as he perceives these forces as having been unleashed upon him without recourse or explanation, contributing to his struggle to reconcile his suffering with God's justice and goodness, a core tension explored throughout [the book of Job](/job/1 "The Book of Job").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **wide breaking in (Hebrew, _peretz rachav'_):** This phrase literally means "a wide breach" or "a wide breaking forth." The noun *peretz* (פֶּרֶץ) often refers to a breakthrough, a rupture, or a breach in a wall or dam, implying a sudden, violent, and uncontrollable outpouring. The adjective *rachav* (רָחָב) emphasizes the expansive, all-encompassing nature of this breach. Thus, the imagery is not merely of water, but of a defensive barrier being utterly destroyed, allowing a devastating force to rush in without restraint, symbolizing the complete collapse of Job's former security and well-being.
* **desolation (Hebrew, _sho'ah'_):** The Hebrew word *sho'ah* (שֹׁאָה) carries a strong connotation of ruin, devastation, storm, tempest, or calamity. It often describes a state of utter emptiness and destruction, a wasteland left after a destructive force has passed through. In [Job 30:14](/job/30-14 "Job 30:14 - Job's Overwhelming Calamity"), it suggests that Job is not merely experiencing suffering, but is living within the very landscape of ruin, where everything has been stripped away, leaving behind a void.
* **rolled themselves (Hebrew, _hitgallgelu alay'_):** This verb is the Hithpael form of *galal* (גלל), meaning "to roll." The Hithpael conjugation suggests a reflexive or intensive action, implying that "they" (the forces of affliction) are actively and relentlessly rolling themselves upon Job. This conveys a sense of continuous, surging, and overwhelming movement, much like waves crashing repeatedly upon a drowning person, emphasizing the sustained and crushing nature of his suffering, rather than a single, isolated event.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"They came [upon me] as a wide breaking in [of waters]:"** The identity of "they" is deliberately ambiguous, enhancing the sense of an impersonal, overwhelming force. While it could refer to the mocking youths mentioned earlier in [Job 30](/job/30 "Job 30 - Job's Lament"), the imagery of "waters" suggests something far grander and more destructive than human antagonists alone. It evokes a catastrophic breach, like a dam bursting or a city wall collapsing, allowing a flood to rush in. This clause emphasizes the suddenness, the overwhelming power, and the complete lack of resistance Job could offer to the onset of his calamities.
* **"in the desolation they rolled themselves [upon me]."** This second clause intensifies the first. The "desolation" can be understood as both the *result* of the "breaking in" (the ruined landscape left behind) and the *environment* in which the continued assault takes place. Even in this state of utter ruin, the forces continue to "roll themselves" upon him, indicating a relentless, continuous, and cumulative assault. This is not a single flood, but waves upon waves of affliction, ensuring that Job remains submerged in his suffering, unable to find respite or escape from the overwhelming ruin that defines his existence.

#### Literary Devices
Job 30:14 is rich in **imagery**, painting a vivid picture of overwhelming disaster through the use of an extended **metaphor** and **simile**. The comparison of Job's afflictions to a "wide breaking in of waters" functions as a powerful **simile**, directly likening his suffering to a catastrophic flood. This flood, in turn, becomes a central **metaphor** for the totality of his despair, encompassing physical pain, social ostracism, and spiritual anguish. The phrase "they rolled themselves upon me" employs **personification**, attributing active, relentless movement to the abstract forces of calamity, making them seem like conscious agents of destruction. The extreme nature of the description also borders on **hyperbole**, emphasizing the profound emotional and psychological impact of his suffering, conveying a sense of utter helplessness and the complete inundation of his life by misfortune.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 30:14 offers a profound theological insight into the nature of human suffering, particularly when it feels inexplicable and overwhelming. It validates the experience of feeling utterly submerged by life's trials, where difficulties appear not as isolated events but as an unstoppable, destructive force that breaches all defenses. This verse speaks to the human condition of vulnerability before the vastness of suffering, often perceived as a chaotic, uncontainable force. While Job struggles to reconcile his pain with God's justice, his raw and honest lament provides a biblical model for voicing distress, even when understanding is elusive. The imagery of a destructive flood also subtly hints at the broader biblical theme of chaos and order, where God alone has the power to control the raging waters, a power Job desperately needs to see manifested in his own life.

* [Psalm 42:7](/psalms/42-7 "Psalm 42:7 - Deep Calls to Deep") - "Deep calls to deep at the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and your breakers have swept over me."
* [Lamentations 3:54](/lamentations/3-54 "Lamentations 3:54 - Waters Overflowed My Head") - "Waters flowed over my head; I said, 'I am cut off!'"
* [Isaiah 8:7-8](/isaiah/8-7 "Isaiah 8:7-8 - The Flood of Assyria") - "Therefore the Lord is bringing up against them the mighty floodwaters of the Euphrates—the king of Assyria and all his pomp. It will overflow all its channels, run over all its banks and sweep on into Judah, swirling over it, passing through it, reaching up to the neck. Its outspread wings will fill the breadth of your land, Immanuel."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 30:14 offers a deeply resonant expression of human suffering, validating the experience of being utterly overwhelmed by life's trials. When we face financial ruin, severe illness, profound grief, or relational breakdown, it can feel as if an unstoppable torrent has breached the defenses of our lives, leaving behind only desolation. This verse reminds us that such feelings of loss of control and immense despair are natural and profoundly human. It cultivates empathy for those undergoing intense periods of suffering, urging us to acknowledge the depth of pain that can be experienced when life's "waters" break in. While Job wrestled with the "why" of his suffering, his raw honesty in expressing his distress provides a powerful example for us to voice our own pain to God, even in the midst of profound spiritual and physical desolation. Understanding Job's journey can offer solace, knowing that such feelings are part of the human condition and that God is present even in the deepest valleys, ultimately leading to a path of restoration, though often not on our timeline or in our expected manner.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do you typically respond when life feels like an uncontrollable flood, and everything seems to be breaking down around you?**
* **What does Job's raw and unfiltered lament teach us about expressing our pain and despair to God, even when we don't understand His ways?**
* **In what ways can we, as individuals or communities, offer genuine empathy and practical support to those experiencing a period of "desolation" or overwhelming suffering?**
* **Where do you find hope, stability, or a sense of grounding when the "waters" of affliction seem to be rolling relentlessly upon you?**

### FAQ
**Who are "they" in Job 30:14, and what does the imagery of "waters" signify?**

Answer: The identity of "they" in [Job 30:14](/job/30-14 "Job 30:14 - Job's Overwhelming Calamity") is intentionally ambiguous, contributing to the verse's power. While in the immediate literary context of [Job 30](/job/30 "Job 30 - Job's Lament"), Job is describing the contempt and abuse he receives from younger, less esteemed individuals (Job 30:1-13), the imagery of a "wide breaking in of waters" and "rolling themselves" suggests something far more encompassing than just human antagonists. "They" can be understood as the totality of Job's afflictions—his physical ailments, social ostracism, financial ruin, and profound despair—personified as an overwhelming, impersonal force. The imagery of "waters" or a "flood" is a common biblical metaphor for overwhelming distress, chaos, divine judgment, or an unstoppable invasion (e.g., [Psalm 69:1-2](/psalms/69-1 "Psalm 69:1-2 - Sinking in Deep Waters"), [Isaiah 28:17](/isaiah/28-17 "Isaiah 28:17 - Flood of Judgment")). It signifies an uncontrollable, destructive force that has breached all defenses, leaving behind utter ruin and desolation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job 30:14, with its vivid portrayal of overwhelming calamity and desolation, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the suffering of Jesus. While Job experienced a "wide breaking in of waters" due to his personal trials, Christ, as the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), voluntarily entered into and bore the full "breaking in" of humanity's sin and God's righteous judgment. On the cross, Jesus was truly overwhelmed, experiencing the ultimate "desolation" and abandonment, crying out, "[My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry of Dereliction")" (Matthew 27:46). The "waters" of divine wrath and the crushing weight of sin "rolled themselves upon" Him, not because of His own transgression, but to redeem a fallen world. Through His suffering, Jesus fully identified with our deepest pain, becoming a [high priest who can sympathize with our weaknesses](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Christ Our Sympathetic High Priest") (Hebrews 4:15). His victory over death and the powers of darkness (Colossians 2:15) means that even when we feel the "waters" of life breaking in upon us, we are not left in desolation, for He has already conquered the ultimate flood, offering us an anchor of hope and the promise of ultimate restoration.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Job 22:16

Which were cut down out of time, whose foundation was overflown with a flood:

Psalms 18:4

The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid.

Isaiah 8:7

Now therefore, behold, the Lord bringeth up upon them the waters of the river, strong and many, [even] the king of Assyria, and all his glory: and he shall come up over all his channels, and go over all his banks:

Isaiah 8:8

And he shall pass through Judah; he shall overflow and go over, he shall reach [even] to the neck; and the stretching out of his wings shall fill the breadth of thy land, O Immanuel.

Psalms 69:14

Deliver me out of the mire, and let me not sink: let me be delivered from them that hate me, and out of the deep waters.

Psalms 69:15

Let not the waterflood overflow me, neither let the deep swallow me up, and let not the pit shut her mouth upon me.