Job 30:6

To dwell in the clifts of the valleys, [in] caves of the earth, and [in] the rocks.

To dwell {H7931} in the clifts {H6178} of the valleys {H5158}, in caves {H2356} of the earth {H6083}, and in the rocks {H3710}.

to live in gullies and vadis, in holes in the ground and caves in the rocks.

so that they lived on the slopes of the wadis, among the rocks and in holes in the ground.

So that they dwell in frightful valleys, In holes of the earth and of the rocks.

Context of Job 30:6

In Job chapter 30, Job continues his lament, contrasting his former esteemed position and prosperity (as described in Job 29:7) with his current state of utter humiliation and suffering. He describes how he is now mocked and scorned by people he once considered beneath him – individuals whose ancestors were so destitute and marginalized that they were forced to live in the most desolate and uninhabitable places. Verse 6 specifically details these wretched dwelling places, painting a vivid picture of extreme poverty and social ostracism.

Meaning and Imagery

Job 30:6 describes the dwelling places of those who mocked Job: "To dwell in the clifts of the valleys, [in] caves of the earth, and [in] the rocks." This imagery evokes a life of extreme deprivation. "Clifts of the valleys" (deep ravines or gorges), "caves," and "rocks" were not chosen residences but places of last resort for the most impoverished and outcast members of society. These individuals were often seen as wild, barely human, living outside the norms of settled community. Their existence was marked by constant exposure to the elements, lack of resources, and social rejection, highlighting the immense reversal of fortune Job feels by being scorned by such people.

Key Themes

  • Extreme Destitution: The verse vividly portrays the lowest depths of poverty, where individuals lacked even basic shelter and were forced into natural crevices and holes.
  • Social Outcast: Living in such desolate places signified complete exclusion from settled society and its protections. These were often fugitives, vagrants, or those deemed unfit for community life. This concept of the poor outcast is a recurring theme in biblical literature.
  • Humiliation of Job: For Job, being mocked by those who once lived in such conditions amplified his suffering. It was a profound insult to his former dignity and status.

Linguistic Insight

The Hebrew terms used in this verse reinforce the sense of desolation. "Clifts" (חִיּוֹת - ḥiyyōt) refers to deep ravines or gorges, often dry riverbeds (wadis) that were dangerous and isolated. "Caves" (חֹרִים - ḥōrîm) and "rocks" (כֵּפִים - kēpîm) refer to holes, caverns, or crags. Together, these words emphasize the harsh, untamed, and inhospitable nature of these dwelling places, underscoring the desperate conditions of those forced to inhabit them.

Practical Application

While Job's specific situation is unique, the verse serves as a powerful reminder of human vulnerability and the harsh realities of extreme poverty and social marginalization. It challenges us to consider:

  1. Empathy for the Marginalized: The description encourages compassion for those who, through no fault of their own, find themselves in desperate circumstances, lacking basic necessities and social acceptance.
  2. The Fleeting Nature of Earthly Status: Job's dramatic reversal of fortune underscores that worldly position, wealth, and respect are transient.
  3. Humility: Job's lament, in part, reveals his own struggle with pride related to his former standing. The verse reminds us that true dignity comes not from social status but from one's character and relationship with God.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Judges 6:2

    And the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel: [and] because of the Midianites the children of Israel made them the dens which [are] in the mountains, and caves, and strong holds.

  • 1 Samuel 22:1

    ¶ David therefore departed thence, and escaped to the cave Adullam: and when his brethren and all his father's house heard [it], they went down thither to him.

  • 1 Samuel 22:2

    And every one [that was] in distress, and every one that [was] in debt, and every one [that was] discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men.

  • Isaiah 2:19

    And they shall go into the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth.

  • Revelation 6:15

    And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;

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