They came [upon me] as a wide breaking in [of waters]: in the desolation they rolled themselves [upon me].
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.
They move in as through a wide gap; amid the ruin they roll on in waves.
They advance as through a wide breach; through the ruins they keep rolling in.
As through a wide breach they come: In the midst of the ruin they roll themselves upon me.
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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.
Context
Job 30:14 is part of Job's deeply emotional lament, where he vividly contrasts his former status and prosperity with his current state of profound humiliation and suffering. In this chapter, Job describes how even those younger and less esteemed than himself now mock and abuse him. He feels completely overwhelmed, not just by physical pain and social ostracism, but by a sense of being utterly broken and abandoned. The imagery in this verse contributes to a powerful picture of his complete despair, portraying his afflictions as an unstoppable, destructive force.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The Hebrew behind "wide breaking in of waters" (פֶּרֶץ רָחָב, peretz rachav) literally means a "wide breach" or "wide breaking forth." This term often refers to the breaking down of a wall or a dam, leading to an uncontrolled outpouring. This imagery powerfully conveys the idea of an overwhelming, uncontainable force that has suddenly engulfed Job. The phrase "rolled themselves upon me" (הִתְגַּלְגְּלוּ עָלַי, hitgallgelu alay) suggests continuous, relentless waves of affliction, emphasizing the sustained and crushing nature of his suffering, much like waves and billows passing over one who is drowning.
Practical Application
Job 30:14 offers a profound expression of human suffering that resonates across time. It validates the experience of feeling completely overwhelmed by life's trials, where difficulties seem to come in an unstoppable torrent, leaving behind only desolation. When faced with such "wide breaking in of waters," whether it be financial ruin, illness, grief, or relational breakdown, this verse reminds us that it is natural to feel a loss of control and an immense sense of despair. It encourages empathy for those undergoing intense periods of suffering and acknowledges the depth of pain that can be experienced. While Job struggled to understand the reason for his suffering, his raw honesty provides a powerful example of voicing distress 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 even in the deepest valleys, there is a path towards eventual restoration and understanding.