Job 30:5 (KJV)

What does Job 30:5 mean?

Job 30:5 describes people who were forced out from society and treated like criminals, with others shouting at them as if they were thieves. The verse paints a picture of rejection and public scorn, showing how these outcasts were driven away from the community.

In this part of the book of Job, Job is speaking about those who are now mocking him. He explains that these people themselves were once so despised that they were expelled from society and treated with contempt. The verse uses the image of people being chased away and shouted at, highlighting the depth of their exclusion and shame.

The Hebrew behind Job 30:5

• "forth" (גָּרַשׁ, garash): This word means to drive out or expel. Here, it emphasizes that these people were not just ignored but actively forced away from others.
• "among" (בֵּין, beyn): This word means "among" or "between," showing that these people were separated from the rest of society.
• "cried" (רָנַע, rana‘): This word means to shout or cry out loudly. In this context, it suggests a public outcry or shaming as the outcasts are driven away.
• "thief" (גַּנָּב, gannav): This word means "thief," highlighting that the outcasts were treated as if they were criminals, even if they had done nothing wrong.

Why Job 30:5 matters

• Job 30:5 helps clarify that the people mocking Job were themselves once outcasts, which deepens the irony and pain of Job’s situation.
• The verse emphasizes the harshness of social rejection in the ancient world, showing how people could be publicly shamed and expelled.
• Understanding this verse sheds light on Job’s sense of injustice and reversal of fortune, as he is now being treated with the same contempt once shown to others.