Job 30:5-6

30:5 They were banished from the community

people shouted at them

like they would shout at thieves

30:6 so that they had to live

in the dry stream beds,

in the holes of the ground, and among the rocks.


tn The word גֵּו (gev) is an Aramaic term meaning “midst,” indicating “midst [of society].” But there is also a Phoenician word that means “community” (DISO 48).

tn The form simply is the plural verb, but it means those who drove them from society.

tn The text merely says “as thieves,” but it obviously compares the poor to the thieves.

tn This use of the infinitive construct expresses that they were compelled to do something (see GKC 348-49 §114.h, k).

tn The adjectives followed by a partitive genitive take on the emphasis of a superlative: “in the most horrible of valleys” (see GKC 431 §133.h).