Job 30:4

KJV

Who cut up mallows by the bushes, and juniper roots [for] their meat.

KJV (with Strong's)

Who cut up {H6998} mallows {H4408} by the bushes {H7880}, and juniper {H7574} roots {H8328} for their meat {H3899}.

Complete Jewish Bible

They pluck saltwort and bitter leaves; these, with broom tree roots, are their food.

Berean Standard Bible

They plucked mallow among the shrubs, and the roots of the broom tree were their food.

American Standard Version

They pluck salt-wort by the bushes; And the roots of the broom are their food.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 30:4 powerfully depicts the extreme destitution and social degradation of individuals whom Job now feels he is scorned by, or even equated with, in his profound suffering. This verse is part of Job's lament, where he starkly contrasts his former esteemed status with his current humiliation, illustrating a class of societal outcasts forced to scavenge the most unpalatable and meager wild plants, such as mallows and juniper roots, for their very survival. It underscores the profound depth of their poverty and their existence on the fringes of human society, a state Job feels unjustly cast into, highlighting the cruel irony and indignity of his reversal of fortune.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within Job's third and final monologue, spanning [Job 29-31](/job/29 "Job's Final Monologue - A Defense of His Righteousness"). This deeply personal and emotionally charged section serves as Job's ultimate defense of his righteousness and a lament over his inexplicable suffering. [Job 29](/job/29 "Job's Former Prosperity and Honor") recounts his past prosperity, honor, and benevolent influence within the community, painting a vivid picture of his former esteemed position. [Job 30](/job/30 "Job's Present Humiliation and Suffering") then shifts dramatically, describing his current humiliation, the scorn he endures, and the intense physical and emotional torment he experiences. Within this chapter, Job details how he is now mocked by those younger than himself, individuals of the lowest social standing, outcasts whom he would once have disdained. Verse 4 specifically illustrates the abject poverty and desperate existence of these marginalized people, setting the stage for Job's profound sense of degradation as he feels unjustly relegated to their level, or even beneath them, amplifying the psychological torment of his fall from grace.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The ancient Near East, particularly the desert fringes where such outcasts might dwell, was a harsh environment where survival depended heavily on settled agriculture, pastoralism, and robust community support. Those without land, livestock, or familial ties were often reduced to extreme poverty, forced to live in desolate wadis, caves, or rocky crevices. Such individuals were frequently viewed with disdain or pity, existing outside the established social and economic norms. The plants mentioned, "mallows" and "juniper roots," were well-known as famine foods, consumed only when all other sources of nourishment had failed. Their inclusion highlights a life beyond the pale of normal society, where sustenance was a daily, desperate struggle, far removed from the communal meals and cultivated foods characteristic of settled life. This stark reality underscores the severity of the destitution Job describes.
* **Key Themes:** Job 30:4 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Job. Foremost is the theme of **Extreme Poverty and Desperation**, illustrating the lowest rung of human existence where survival hinges on scavenging the most unpalatable natural resources. This contrasts sharply with Job's former abundance, emphasizing the dramatic **Reversal of Fortune** he experiences, a central motif in his lament as seen in the shift from [Job 29](/job/29 "Job's Past Prosperity") to [Job 30](/job/30 "Job's Present Misery"). The verse also highlights **Social Outcast Status** and **Humiliation**, as Job, once a respected patriarch, now finds himself scorned by those who are themselves societal rejects. This indignity is a significant part of his suffering, challenging his understanding of divine justice and human dignity, as he grapples with why his friends and even God seem to have turned against him, as expressed in [Job 19:13-19](/job/19-13-19 "Job 19:13-19 - Job's Friends and Family Forsake Him"). The verse also subtly touches on the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Human Suffering**, as Job grapples with why God has allowed him to descend to such a degraded state, questioning the traditional retribution theology espoused by his friends.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Mallows (Hebrew, _mallûwach'_):** This term refers to a type of saltwort or sea-purslane (*Atriplex halimus*), a plant that thrives in saline or brackish environments, often found near desert wadis. While technically edible, it was considered a poor, unpalatable food, typically consumed only by the extremely destitute in times of famine or dire necessity. Its mention here underscores the abject poverty and the desperate lack of any other viable food source for these individuals, highlighting their existence at the very edge of survival.
* **Juniper (Hebrew, _rethem'_):** This refers to the broom tree (*Retama raetam*), a common shrub in desert regions, known for its pole-like stems. The text specifically mentions its roots. The roots are exceedingly bitter, fibrous, and difficult to digest, making them a food of absolute last resort. Eating roots rather than more accessible parts of plants (like leaves or berries) signifies the most extreme level of desperation, indicating that even the meager surface vegetation had been exhausted or was unavailable, pushing them to literally dig for sustenance.
* **Meat (Hebrew, _lechem'_):** While often translated as "meat" in the KJV, the Hebrew word _lechem_ more broadly means "food" or "bread." In this context, it emphasizes that these bitter, unpalatable plants constituted their primary, if not sole, source of sustenance. It highlights the stark reality that their "food" was not nourishing or pleasant, but merely what kept them from starvation, a stark contrast to the typical bread-based diet of settled communities.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Who cut up mallows by the bushes":** This clause describes the desperate and laborious act of foraging for the most undesirable plants. The verb "cut up" (from H6998 _qâṭaph_) implies a difficult process, perhaps with crude tools, to extract even the meager edible parts of the mallows growing in the wild, untamed areas. The phrase "by the bushes" (from H7880 _sîyach_) denotes a desolate, uncultivated landscape, far from human settlement or agricultural land, reinforcing the outcast status of those performing this arduous task.
* **"and juniper roots [for] their meat":** This second clause intensifies the picture of destitution, showing a progression to an even more extreme level of desperation. The shift from surface plants to "juniper roots" (from H7574 _rethem_ and H8328 _sheresh_) signifies that even the most accessible, unpalatable surface vegetation has been exhausted. Roots are harder to extract and are notoriously bitter and fibrous. The phrase "[for] their meat" (or "for their food," from H3899 _lechem_) underscores that these bitter, fibrous roots were not a supplement but their fundamental, life-sustaining nourishment, highlighting their extreme deprivation and the brutal reality of their daily existence.

#### Literary Devices
Job 30:4 employs several potent literary devices to convey the depth of suffering and degradation Job experiences by association. **Imagery** is paramount, painting a vivid and unsettling picture of desperate individuals scavenging for inedible plants in a desolate, untamed landscape. This imagery appeals directly to the reader's senses of taste (bitter, unpalatable) and sight (scrubby bushes, exposed roots), evoking a strong sense of pity and horror for their plight. **Hyperbole** is also present, as Job exaggerates the contemptible nature of these individuals and the depths to which he has fallen, emphasizing the profound psychological torment of his reversal of fortune. While these people are truly destitute, Job's lament often magnifies his own suffering by drawing such extreme comparisons. Finally, the act of eating "mallows" and "juniper roots" functions as potent **Symbolism**, representing the ultimate degradation, social ostracization, and the stripping away of all dignity and comfort. These plants symbolize the lowest, most desperate form of sustenance, mirroring Job's perceived lowest point in life and his utter loss of status.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 30:4 serves as a stark reminder of the extreme vulnerability of human life and the devastating impact of poverty and social marginalization. Theologically, it prompts profound reflection on the nature of suffering, particularly suffering that seems unjust or disproportionate, as is Job's case. It challenges our understanding of divine providence when the righteous suffer and the wicked appear to prosper, or when the innocent are reduced to such dire straits. The verse also implicitly raises crucial questions about human responsibility towards the poor and outcast, echoing biblical calls for justice and compassion for the needy. Job's own former commitment to helping the poor (as detailed in [Job 29:12-17](/job/29-12-17 "Job 29:12-17 - Job's Righteousness and Care for the Needy")) makes his current identification with these outcasts all the more poignant and paradoxical, deepening the theological tension of the book.

* [Proverbs 19:17](/proverbs/19-17 "Proverbs 19:17 - Lending to the Lord") - "Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed."
* [Deuteronomy 15:7-8](/deuteronomy/15-7-8 "Deuteronomy 15:7-8 - Generosity to the Poor") - "If among you, one of your brothers should become poor, in any of your towns within your land that the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart or shut your hand against your poor brother, but you shall open your hand to him and lend him sufficient for his need, whatever it may be."
* [Matthew 25:40](/matthew/25-40 "Matthew 25:40 - Serving the Least of These") - "And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’"

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job's vivid portrayal of the destitute in Job 30:4 is a powerful and unsettling mirror, forcing us to confront the realities of extreme poverty and social exclusion that persist in our world today. It challenges any complacency we might feel about our own comfort and security, reminding us that circumstances can change dramatically and that human dignity is often fragile. This verse calls us to cultivate a profound empathy for those on the margins, not just those who are financially poor, but also those who are socially outcast, marginalized, or forgotten due to various circumstances. It compels us to look beyond superficial appearances and recognize the inherent worth and image of God in every individual, regardless of their social standing or material possessions. Furthermore, it should inspire deep gratitude for the basic provisions we often take for granted – food, shelter, community – and motivate us to act with compassion, seeking tangible ways to alleviate suffering and promote justice for the vulnerable, remembering that true value lies not in external circumstances but in our shared humanity and our relationship with God and one another.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Job's description of these outcasts challenge my own perceptions of poverty and social status in contemporary society?**
* **What does this verse reveal about the psychological and emotional toll of extreme suffering and humiliation, and how might I better understand those experiencing it?**
* **In what specific ways can I practically demonstrate empathy and compassion for those who are marginalized or suffering in my own community or globally?**
* **How does this verse deepen my appreciation for the basic necessities of life that I often take for granted, and what responsibility does that appreciation entail?**

### FAQ
**What were "mallows" and "juniper roots" in the ancient world, and why were they eaten?**

Answer: "Mallows" (Hebrew: _mallûwach_) likely refers to a type of saltwort or purslane, a common plant found in saline or brackish desert areas. "Juniper roots" (Hebrew: _rethem_) are the roots of the broom tree, a desert shrub. These were not typical foods but were consumed out of extreme necessity during times of famine or by the utterly destitute. They were known to be unpalatable, bitter, and difficult to digest, signifying the lowest possible form of sustenance when all other food sources had been exhausted. Their consumption indicates a life on the absolute fringes of survival, far from settled society and its agricultural provisions, a stark contrast to the life Job once knew, as described in [Job 29](/job/29 "Job's Former Prosperity").

**Why does Job focus on these particular people in his lament?**

Answer: Job focuses on these outcasts because he feels he has been unjustly reduced to a state even worse than theirs. In [Job 30:1](/job/30-1 "Job 30:1 - Job's Lament of Scorn"), he states that those younger than him, whose fathers he would have disdained to put with his sheepdogs, now mock him. These are the very people described in verse 4 – the lowest of society, living in extreme destitution. For Job, a man of immense wealth and high social standing (as seen in [Job 29](/job/29 "Job 29 - Job's Former Prosperity and Honor")), to be scorned by such individuals represents the ultimate humiliation and degradation. It underscores the profound reversal of his fortunes and the depth of his psychological and social suffering, making his lament all the more poignant and emphasizing the injustice he perceives in his situation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job 30:4, with its raw depiction of human destitution and social degradation, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus. While Job laments his unjust descent into a state akin to these outcasts, Christ willingly embraced the lowest human condition, not as a victim of injustice but as a divine act of identification and redemption. The Son of God, who "though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor" ([2 Corinthians 8:9](/2_corinthians/8-9 "2 Corinthians 8:9 - Christ's Poverty for Our Riches")), entered a world marked by suffering and poverty. He identified with the marginalized, the hungry, and the outcast, declaring that whatever is done for "one of the least of these my brothers" is done for Him ([Matthew 25:40](/matthew/25-40 "Matthew 25:40 - Serving the Least of These")). Jesus himself experienced homelessness and hunger, having "nowhere to lay his head" ([Matthew 8:20](/matthew/8-20 "Matthew 8:20 - The Son of Man Has Nowhere to Lay His Head")) and even facing rejection from his own people ([John 1:11](/john/1-11 "John 1:11 - He Came to His Own")). Ultimately, Christ's suffering on the cross, where he was stripped of all dignity and became a "man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief" ([Isaiah 53:3](/isaiah/53-3 "Isaiah 53:3 - The Suffering Servant")), represents the ultimate identification with humanity's deepest degradation, including the plight of those forced to eat mallows and juniper roots. Through his voluntary humiliation and suffering, Jesus provides not just temporary relief but eternal sustenance, offering himself as the "bread of life" ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")) to a spiritually destitute humanity, thereby transforming the meaning of suffering and offering hope, dignity, and true provision to all who are outcast and broken.

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

Luke 15:16

And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.

Amos 7:14

Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I [was] no prophet, neither [was] I a prophet's son; but I [was] an herdman, and a gatherer of sycomore fruit:

2 Kings 4:38

¶ And Elisha came again to Gilgal: and [there was] a dearth in the land; and the sons of the prophets [were] sitting before him: and he said unto his servant, Set on the great pot, and seethe pottage for the sons of the prophets.

2 Kings 4:39

And one went out into the field to gather herbs, and found a wild vine, and gathered thereof wild gourds his lap full, and came and shred [them] into the pot of pottage: for they knew [them] not.