Job 30:10
They abhor me; they keep aloof from me; they do not hesitate to spit at the sight of me.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The verse emphasizes not just avoidance, but the active, visceral act of spitting as a potent cultural sign of extreme contempt and revulsion. This wasn't merely dislike; it was a deeply ingrained gesture signifying Job's utter worthlessness and contagiousness in the eyes of these people, a profound human indignity.
Job is detailing the utter contempt and scorn he's experiencing from the lowest classes of society, those he used to consider beneath his notice. This intense rejection, marked by spitting in his presence—a profound Eastern insult signifying extreme disgust—underscores his complete social and physical isolation amidst his suffering. This description of being reviled and spat upon foreshadows how Christ himself would be treated by humanity.
Imagine the worst kind of public humiliation. Now, what if someone went to the extreme of spitting at you?
In ancient Near Eastern cultures, spitting – whether directly on someone or in their presence – was a powerful, visceral expression of absolute disgust and contempt. It wasn't just rude; it was a profound insult.
Cultural Context:
This wasn't just a one-off expression. Travelers and scholars noted that this was a widespread custom. It communicated that the person was considered utterly worthless, vile, and even infectious.
A Deeply Personal Affront:
For Job, experiencing this from people he likely once held in contempt himself ('the dogs of my flock') amplifies the pain. It’s not just physical suffering; it’s the crushing weight of being treated as less than human.
Did they literally spit on Job, or was it a figure of speech? The answer might surprise you.
The verse presents a seeming contradiction: Job says they 'flee far from me,' yet also that they 'spare not to spit in my face.' How can both be true?
Figurative Language:
Some scholars suggest that 'spitting in my face' could be a hyperbole, a vivid way of describing their verbal abuse and extreme contempt. They acted as if they were spitting on him, using the harshest words and gestures possible, even though they kept their physical distance out of fear or disgust.
The Power of Gesture:
However, the consensus among commentators is that the action could indeed be literal. Even if they kept a distance, the act of spitting in the direction of someone, or in their general presence, carried the same weight of insult as spitting directly on them. The intent and the perceived insult were the same.
Understand the original words
ta'ab · Hebrew Verb
To loathe or consider something detestable; it implies a deep, visceral sense of repulsion or rejection. It is often used to describe how enemies or the wicked view the righteous or how God views sin.
This passage directly foreshadows the suffering servant being struck and spat upon, making it a powerful prophetic parallel to Job's experience and a type of Christ's suffering.
Matthew 26:67This New Testament passage shows the prophecy of Isaiah being fulfilled when Jesus is spat upon by His accusers, demonstrating the deep indignity and hatred symbolized by spitting throughout Scripture.
Numbers 12:14This Old Testament instance shows spitting as a sign of shame and dishonor, highlighting the cultural understanding of the act as deeply insulting, even when a father figuratively 'spits' at his daughter.
Lamentations 3:30The prophet Jeremiah describes enduring being spat upon and insulted, showing that this form of degradation was not unique to Job but a shared experience of deep suffering and rejection.
clarkeJob 30:10: "They abhor me, they flee far from me, and spare not to spit in my face."
They abhor me - What a state must civil society be in when such indignities were permitted to be offered to the aged and afflicted! Job 30:10."And Jehovah said unto Moses, If her father had but spit in her face, should she not be ashamed seven days?" Numbers 22:14. On which place Sir John Chardin remarks, that "spitting before any one, or spitting upon the ground in speaking of any one's actions, is through the…
wesleyJob 30:10: "They abhor me, they flee far from me, and spare not to spit in my face."
30:10 Spit - Not literally, for they kept far from him, but figuratively, they use all manner of reproachful expressions, even to my face. Herein, also we see a type of Christ, who was thus made a reproach of men, and despised of the people.
The verse emphasizes not just avoidance, but the active, visceral act of spitting as a potent cultural sign of extreme contempt and revulsion. This wasn't merely dislike; it was a deeply ingrained gesture signifying Job's utter worthlessness and contagiousness in the eyes of these people, a profound human indignity.
Job is detailing the utter contempt and scorn he's experiencing from the lowest classes of society, those he used to consider beneath his notice. This intense rejection, marked by spitting in his presence—a profound Eastern insult signifying extreme disgust—underscores his complete social and physical isolation amidst his suffering. This description of being reviled and spat upon foreshadows how Christ himself would be treated by humanity.
Job is detailing the utter contempt and scorn he's experiencing from the lowest classes of society, those he used to consider beneath his notice. This intense rejection, marked by spitting in his presence—a profound Eastern insult signifying extreme disgust—underscores his complete social and physical isolation amidst his suffering. This description of being reviled and spat upon foreshadows how Christ himself would be treated by humanity.
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"They abhor me; they keep aloof from me; they do not hesitate to spit at the sight of me." — The verse emphasizes not just avoidance, but the active, visceral act of spitting as a potent cultural sign of extreme contempt and revulsion. This wasn't merely dislike; it was a deeply ingrained ge…
