Job 30:31

KJV

My harp also is [turned] to mourning, and my organ into the voice of them that weep.

KJV (with Strong's)

My harp {H3658} also is turned to mourning {H60}, and my organ {H5748} into the voice {H6963} of them that weep {H1058}.

Complete Jewish Bible

So my lyre is tuned for mourning, my pipe to the voice of those who weep.

Berean Standard Bible

My harp is tuned to mourning and my flute to the sound of weeping.

American Standard Version

Therefore is my harpturnedto mourning, And my pipe into the voice of them that weep.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 30:31 serves as a profoundly poignant capstone to Job's extended lament, encapsulating the absolute reversal of his life from one of honor and joy to one of abject despair and suffering. Through vivid musical imagery, Job articulates that even the instruments once associated with celebration and delight have now been entirely re-purposed to express the overwhelming, pervasive grief that consumes his very being. This verse powerfully conveys the depth of his emotional and spiritual desolation, where all sources of comfort and merriment have been transmuted into conduits for sorrow, leaving no aspect of his existence untouched by his profound anguish.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 30:31 concludes a chapter in which Job contrasts his former life of esteemed prosperity and widespread respect, meticulously detailed in [Job 29](/job/29 "Job 29 - Job's Former Prosperity and Honor"), with his current state of profound humiliation and suffering. In [Job 30](/job/30 "Job 30 - Job's Present Suffering and Despair"), he describes being mocked by those younger and socially inferior, afflicted with a debilitating illness, and feeling utterly abandoned by both human companionship and divine favor. The preceding verses in [Job 30:26-30](/job/30-26-30 "Job 30:26-30 - Job's Unanswered Cries and Physical Decay") depict Job's desperate cries to God, his physical decay, and his overwhelming sense of personal anguish. Verse 31, therefore, acts as a final, powerful metaphor for the complete and agonizing transformation of his existence, where every aspect of his life, even joy itself, has been swallowed by sorrow, bringing his lament to a climactic and heart-wrenching close before the arrival of Elihu.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Near Eastern cultures, music played a vital role in both celebration and lament, deeply woven into the fabric of daily life, religious rituals, and social gatherings. Instruments like the harp (Hebrew: _kinnor_) and organ (Hebrew: _ugab_, likely a type of pipe or flute) were integral to feasts, weddings, religious festivals, and expressions of joy or praise, as vividly depicted in passages like [Psalm 150](/psalms/150 "Psalm 150 - A Call to Praise with All Instruments") or [Isaiah 5:12](/isaiah/5-12 "Isaiah 5:12 - Woe to Those Who Only Seek Pleasure"). Conversely, specific sounds and instruments were also associated with mourning rituals, such as the wailing of professional mourners. Job's imagery draws on this common cultural understanding, making his statement particularly impactful: he is not merely saying he is sad, but that the very *tools* of joy in his life have been fundamentally altered to produce only sounds of grief, signifying an unprecedented and total reversal of his social and emotional landscape, a profound disruption of the expected order.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the Book of Job. Primarily, it underscores the theme of **Profound Suffering and Despair**, illustrating the intensity of Job's anguish where even instruments typically associated with joy now produce only sounds of mourning, emphasizing the pervasive nature of his pain. It also highlights the dramatic **Reversal of Fortune**, a central motif throughout Job's narrative, starkly contrasting his former blessed state (as seen in [Job 1](/job/1 "Job 1 - Job's Righteousness and Loss")) with his current desolate condition. Furthermore, the verse emphasizes the **Completeness of Grief**, suggesting that sorrow has permeated every facet of Job's existence, leaving no room for happiness. This pervasive grief challenges the conventional wisdom of Job's friends, who believe suffering is always a direct result of sin, forcing a deeper exploration of the nature of righteousness and divine justice, a dialogue that culminates in God's speeches in [Job 38-41](/job/38-41 "Job 38-41 - God's Speeches to Job") and Job's ultimate restoration in [Job 42](/job/42 "Job 42 - Job's Restoration and Repentance").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Harp (Hebrew, _kinnôwr'_):** From an unused root meaning to twang, this word refers to a stringed instrument, commonly translated as lyre or harp. In ancient Israel, the _kinnôwr_ was a primary instrument used in contexts of joy, celebration, and worship, often associated with Davidic praise and prophetic music (e.g., [1 Samuel 16:23](/1_samuel/16-23 "1 Samuel 16:23 - David Playing the Harp for Saul"), [Psalm 33:2](/psalms/33-2 "Psalm 33:2 - Praise with the Harp")). By stating his harp is "turned to mourning," Job conveys a radical perversion of its intended purpose, symbolizing the complete absence of joy and the re-channeling of all his emotional expression into sorrow.
* **Organ (Hebrew, _ʻûwgâb'_):** From a root in the original sense of breathing, this term refers to a reed-instrument of music, likely a type of pipe or flute. Like the _kinnôwr_, the _ʻûwgâb_ was associated with merriment and festivity, representing another facet of musical expression (e.g., [Genesis 4:21](/genesis/4-21 "Genesis 4:21 - Jubal, Father of Musicians")). The pairing of _kinnôwr_ and _ʻûwgâb_ represents the full spectrum of musical expression, encompassing both string and wind instruments. Their transformation into instruments of weeping signifies that no avenue for joy remains; all forms of artistic and emotional outlet are now dedicated solely to lament.
* **Weep (Hebrew, _bâkâh'_):** A primitive root meaning to weep, and generally to bemoan. This word encompasses a range of expressions of sorrow, including bewailing, complaining, making lamentation, and mourning, often involving tears. Its use here emphasizes the audible, visceral expression of grief that now emanates from Job's instruments. The "voice of them that weep" is not merely a sad sound, but the actual sound of human lament, indicating a profound and pervasive sorrow that has consumed Job's life.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"My harp also is [turned] to mourning":** This clause vividly illustrates the profound transformation of Job's inner state and external circumstances. The harp, typically a symbol of joy, praise, and celebration, has been metaphorically re-tuned or re-purposed to produce sounds of deep sorrow. This signifies that the very capacity for happiness and the means of expressing it have been utterly corrupted by his suffering, leaving only the possibility of lament. It speaks to a complete reversal of his emotional landscape, where even the instruments of his former delight now serve only to articulate his pain.
* **"and my organ into the voice of them that weep":** This parallel clause reinforces and intensifies the preceding statement. The organ, another instrument of merriment and festivity, is now associated with the wailing and crying of those in profound grief. The phrase "voice of them that weep" is particularly evocative, suggesting not just the sound of the instrument but the actual, audible lament of human suffering, a deeply personal and raw expression of anguish. This parallelism emphasizes the thoroughness of Job's desolation, indicating that every aspect of his life, once filled with melody and joy, now echoes with the sounds of inconsolable sorrow, a pervasive and inescapable grief.

#### Literary Devices
Job 30:31 employs several powerful literary devices to convey the depth of his despair. The primary device is **Metaphor**, where Job's musical instruments—the harp and organ, traditionally symbols of joy and celebration—are transformed into instruments of mourning and weeping. This is not a literal change but a profound figurative representation of the complete reversal of Job's emotional and spiritual state. Closely related is **Personification**, as the instruments are given "voices" that weep, imbuing inanimate objects with human expressions of sorrow, thereby amplifying the pervasive nature of Job's grief and making his anguish almost tangible. The verse also utilizes effective **Parallelism**, with the two clauses mirroring each other ("My harp...mourning" and "my organ...weep"). This synonymous parallelism reinforces the central idea of transformed joy into sorrow, emphasizing the totality and inescapable nature of Job's suffering. Finally, there's an element of **Hyperbole**, as the statement exaggerates the extent of his despair to convey its overwhelming and absolute nature; it's not just that Job is sad, but that the very *essence* of joy in his life has been fundamentally altered to produce only sounds of lament, leaving no room for any other emotion.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 30:31 stands as a profound testament to the reality of human suffering and the legitimacy of lament before God. It challenges any simplistic theology that equates piety with prosperity, demonstrating that even the righteous can experience overwhelming, inexplicable sorrow that transforms every aspect of their existence. This verse underscores the biblical truth that grief is a valid and necessary human response to loss and pain, and that expressing such deep anguish is not a sign of unbelief but often an honest cry to the divine in the midst of incomprehensible trials. It implicitly raises fundamental questions about divine justice, the nature of God's relationship with humanity in suffering, and the purpose of pain, themes central to the entire book of Job and vital for a robust theology of suffering.

* [Lamentations 5:15](/lamentations/5-15 "Lamentations 5:15 - Joy Has Ceased, Our Dancing Has Been Turned to Mourning")
* [Psalm 30:11](/psalms/30-11 "Psalm 30:11 - You Have Turned My Mourning into Dancing")
* [Psalm 42:3](/psalms/42-3 "Psalm 42:3 - My Tears Have Been My Food Day and Night")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job's poignant lament in Job 30:31 offers profound validation for the human experience of deep sorrow and the overwhelming nature of grief. It reminds us that suffering can be so pervasive that it transforms even the sources of our joy into instruments of lament. For believers today, this verse provides permission to fully acknowledge and express the depth of our pain, even when it feels like every part of our life is consumed by sorrow. It teaches us that authentic faith does not demand a stoic suppression of emotions but rather invites us to bring our raw, unvarnished grief before God, just as Job did, trusting that He hears our cries even when we don't understand His ways. In a world that often pressures us to "be strong" or "move on" quickly from pain, Job's words affirm that lament is a legitimate and necessary part of the human journey, a vital step in processing hardship and ultimately finding solace and hope, even when it seems far off and the music of our lives has gone silent.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life have circumstances "turned" your joy into mourning, and how have you processed that transformation emotionally and spiritually?**
* **How does Job's honest expression of grief challenge or affirm your understanding of how believers should respond to profound and prolonged suffering?**
* **What does it mean to bring your "harp" and "organ"—the sources of your joy and expression—before God even when they only produce sounds of weeping, and how might this act of lament be a form of worship?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of "harp" and "organ" in this verse, and why are they "turned to mourning"?**

Answer: The "harp" (Hebrew: _kinnôwr_) and "organ" (Hebrew: _ʻûwgâb_) were common musical instruments in ancient Israel, typically associated with joy, celebration, and praise. The _kinnôwr_ was a stringed instrument, similar to a lyre, frequently used in feasts, royal courts, and worship (e.g., [1 Samuel 16:23](/1_samuel/16-23 "1 Samuel 16:23 - David Playing the Harp for Saul") and [Psalm 150:3](/psalms/150-3 "Psalm 150:3 - Praise with Harp and Lyre")). The _ʻûwgâb_ was a wind instrument, likely a pipe or flute, also used for festive occasions (e.g., [Genesis 4:21](/genesis/4-21 "Genesis 4:21 - Jubal, Father of Musicians")). By stating that these instruments are "turned to mourning" and "into the voice of them that weep," Job uses a powerful metaphor to convey the complete and utter reversal of his circumstances. It signifies that even the avenues for joy and celebration in his life have been transformed into conduits for expressing his profound and pervasive sorrow. This imagery emphasizes the depth and totality of his despair, where no aspect of his existence remains untouched by grief, and all potential for happiness has been consumed by lament.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job's poignant lament in [Job 30:31](/job/30-31 "Job 30:31 - Job's Harp Turned to Mourning"), where instruments of joy are transformed into conduits of sorrow, finds its ultimate echo and profound fulfillment in the person of Jesus Christ. While Job's instruments were turned to mourning due to his own suffering, Jesus, the [Man of Sorrows](/isaiah/53-3 "Isaiah 53:3 - Jesus, a Man of Sorrows") and acquainted with grief, willingly took upon Himself the sorrow and weeping of all humanity. His life, from His humble birth to His agonizing death on the cross, was marked by a deep empathy for human suffering and a willingness to bear its full weight. On the cross, Jesus became the ultimate expression of lament, crying out, "[My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry of Dereliction")" – a cry that absorbed the very essence of Job's despair and the collective anguish of a fallen world. Yet, through His resurrection, the ultimate reversal occurred: the profound mourning of the cross was turned into the triumphant joy of new life, echoing the promise that "weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning" ([Psalm 30:5](/psalms/30-5 "Psalm 30:5 - Weeping May Last for a Night, but Joy Comes in the Morning")). What Job could only long for—the turning of mourning into dancing ([Psalm 30:11](/psalms/30-11 "Psalm 30:11 - You Have Turned My Mourning into Dancing"))—is fully realized in Christ's victory over sin and death. He is the one who promises to "[wipe away every tear from their eyes](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - No More Tears in New Creation")" and transform our deepest sorrows into an eternal song of praise, making all things new through His redemptive work ([Revelation 21:5](/revelation/21-5 "Revelation 21:5 - Behold, I Make All Things New")), ultimately turning the lament of a fallen world into the unending symphony of redemption.

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

Lamentations 5:15

The joy of our heart is ceased; our dance is turned into mourning.

Isaiah 21:4

My heart panted, fearfulness affrighted me: the night of my pleasure hath he turned into fear unto me.

Daniel 6:18

¶ Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting: neither were instruments of musick brought before him: and his sleep went from him.

Ecclesiastes 3:4

A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

Isaiah 22:12

And in that day did the Lord GOD of hosts call to weeping, and to mourning, and to baldness, and to girding with sackcloth:

Psalms 137:1

¶ By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion.

Psalms 137:4

How shall we sing the LORD'S song in a strange land?