Job 30:6
New International Version
They were forced to live in the dry stream beds, among the rocks and in holes in the ground.

New Living Translation
So now they live in frightening ravines, in caves and among the rocks.

English Standard Version
In the gullies of the torrents they must dwell, in holes of the earth and of the rocks.

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

King James Bible
To dwell in the clifts of the valleys, in caves of the earth, and in the rocks.

New King James Version
They had to live in the clefts of the valleys, In caves of the earth and the rocks.

New American Standard Bible
So that they live on the slopes of ravines, In holes in the ground and among the rocks.

NASB 1995
So that they dwell in dreadful valleys, In holes of the earth and of the rocks.

NASB 1977
So that they dwell in dreadful valleys, In holes of the earth and of the rocks.

Legacy Standard Bible
So that they dwell in the slopes of the valleys, In holes of the dust and of the rocks.

Amplified Bible
“They must dwell on the slopes of wadis And in holes in the ground and in rocks.

Christian Standard Bible
They are living on the slopes of the wadis, among the rocks and in holes in the ground.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
They are living on the slopes of the wadis, among the rocks and in holes in the ground.

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

Contemporary English Version
Their only homes are ditches or holes between rocks,

English Revised Version
In the clefts of the valleys must they dwell, in holes of the earth and of the rocks.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
They have to live in dry riverbeds, in holes in the ground, and among rocks.

Good News Translation
They had to live in caves, in holes dug in the sides of cliffs.

International Standard Version
They lived in the most dangerous of ravines, in holes in the ground, and among rocks.

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

NET Bible
so that they had to live in the dry stream beds, in the holes of the ground, and among the rocks.

New Heart English Bible
So that they dwell in frightful valleys, and in holes of the earth and of the rocks.

Webster's Bible Translation
To dwell in the clefts of the valleys, in caves of the earth, and in the rocks.

World English Bible
so that they live in frightful valleys, and in holes of the earth and of the rocks.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
To dwell in a frightful place of valleys, "" Holes of earth and clefts.

Young's Literal Translation
In a frightful place of valleys to dwell, Holes of earth and clefts.

Smith's Literal Translation
To dwell in the horror of the valleys, holes of the dust, and the rocks.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
They dwelt in the desert places of torrents, and in caves of earth, or upon the gravel.

Catholic Public Domain Version
They lived in the parched desert and in caves underground or above the rocks.

New American Bible
To dwell on the slopes of the wadies, in caves of sand and stone;

New Revised Standard Version
In the gullies of wadis they must live, in holes in the ground, and in the rocks.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Fleeing to dwell in the cliffs of the valleys, in caves of the earth, in crevices,

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
To dwell in caverns of dust and stones
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
In the clefts of the valleys must they dwell, In holes of the earth and of the rocks.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
whose houses were the caves of the rocks, who lived under the wild shrubs.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Job's Honor Turned into Contempt
5They were banished from among men, shouted down like thieves, 6so that they lived on the slopes of the wadis, among the rocks and in holes in the ground. 7They cried out among the shrubs and huddled beneath the nettles.…

Cross References
Genesis 4:12
When you till the ground, it will no longer yield its produce to you. You will be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth.”

Isaiah 35:1-2
The wilderness and the dry land will be glad; the desert will rejoice and blossom like a rose. / It will bloom profusely and rejoice with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon. They will see the glory of the LORD, the splendor of our God.

Jeremiah 17:6
He will be like a shrub in the desert; he will not see when prosperity comes. He will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives.

Lamentations 4:5
Those who once ate delicacies are destitute in the streets; those brought up in crimson huddle in ash heaps.

Psalm 107:4-5
Some wandered in desert wastelands, finding no path to a city in which to dwell. / They were hungry and thirsty; their soul fainted within them.

Isaiah 13:21
But desert creatures will lie down there, and howling creatures will fill her houses. Ostriches will dwell there, and wild goats will leap about.

Isaiah 34:13-14
Her towers will be overgrown with thorns, her fortresses with thistles and briers. She will become a haunt for jackals, an abode for ostriches. / The desert creatures will meet with hyenas, and one wild goat will call to another. There the night creature will settle and find her place of repose.

Jeremiah 9:11
“And I will make Jerusalem a heap of rubble, a haunt for jackals; and I will make the cities of Judah a desolation, without inhabitant.”

Ezekiel 29:5
I will leave you in the desert, you and all the fish of your streams. You will fall on the open field and will not be taken away or gathered for burial. I have given you as food to the beasts of the earth and the birds of the air.

Matthew 8:20
Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head.”

Luke 9:58
Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head.”

Hebrews 11:38
The world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and hid in caves and holes in the ground.

Mark 1:45
But the man went out and openly began to proclaim and spread the news. Consequently, Jesus could no longer enter a town in plain view, but He stayed out in solitary places. Yet people came to Him from every quarter.

Luke 5:16
Yet He frequently withdrew to the wilderness to pray.

Matthew 3:1
In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea


Treasury of Scripture

To dwell in the cliffs of the valleys, in caves of the earth, and in the rocks.

dwell

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 22:1,2
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…

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.

caves.

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Beds Caves Clefts Cliffs Dreadful Dry Dwell Earth Forced Frightful Gloomy Ground Holes Hollows Live Resting-Place Rocks Stream Torrents Valleys
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Beds Caves Clefts Cliffs Dreadful Dry Dwell Earth Forced Frightful Gloomy Ground Holes Hollows Live Resting-Place Rocks Stream Torrents Valleys
Job 30
1. Job's honor is turned into extreme contempt
15. and his prosperity into calamity














so that they lived
The Hebrew root for "lived" is "יָשַׁב" (yashab), which means to dwell or inhabit. This word conveys a sense of permanence or settlement, indicating that these individuals have been relegated to a life of isolation and desolation. In the context of Job, this reflects a dramatic reversal of fortune, as Job himself feels cast out and marginalized, much like those who are forced to live in such inhospitable conditions.

on the cliffs
The term "cliffs" refers to steep rock faces or precipices. In ancient times, cliffs were often seen as places of danger and isolation, symbolizing the precariousness of life. For Job, this imagery underscores his own feelings of being on the edge, both physically and emotionally, as he grapples with his suffering and the loss of his former status.

in the clefts of the valleys
"Clefts" are narrow openings or fissures, and "valleys" are low areas between hills or mountains. The Hebrew word for "clefts" is "נִקְרָה" (niqrah), suggesting hidden or secret places. This phrase paints a picture of people living in obscurity and seclusion, away from the safety and community of the open plains. It reflects Job's sense of being cut off from society and the blessings he once enjoyed.

among the rocks
The word "rocks" here is "סֶלַע" (sela), which can denote strength and stability but also harshness and barrenness. Living among the rocks implies a harsh and unforgiving environment, mirroring Job's own harsh circumstances. It serves as a metaphor for the trials and tribulations that have become his constant companions.

they kept crying out
The phrase "kept crying out" suggests a continuous, desperate plea for help or relief. The Hebrew root "זָעַק" (za'aq) means to cry out or call for aid. This reflects the deep anguish and suffering of those who are marginalized, as well as Job's own cries to God amidst his afflictions. It is a poignant reminder of the human condition and the universal need for divine intervention and mercy.

Verse 6. - To dwell in the cliffs cf. the valleys; of in the clefts (Revised Version). Western Asia is full of rocky regions, seamed with deep gorges and clefts, the walls of which rise abruptly or in terraces, and are themselves pierced with caves and cracks. The tract about Petra is, perhaps, the most remarkable of these regions; but there are many others which closely resemble it. These places afford refuges to weak and outcast tribes, who hide in them, either in caves of the earth, or in the rocks. The Greeks called these unfortunates "Troglodytes"(Herod., 4:183; Strabo, 16. p. 1102; Diod. Sic., 3:14.etc.), the Hebrews "Horim," from חור "a hole."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
so that they lived
לִשְׁכֹּ֑ן (liš·kōn)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 7931: To settle down, abide, dwell

on the slopes
בַּעֲר֣וּץ (ba·‘ă·rūṣ)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 6178: Feared, a horrible place, chasm

of the wadis,
נְחָלִ֣ים (nə·ḥā·lîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 5158: A stream, a winter torrent, a, valley, a shaft

among the rocks
וְכֵפִֽים׃ (wə·ḵê·p̄îm)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3710: A hollow rock

and in holes
חֹרֵ֖י (ḥō·rê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 2356: A cavity, socket, den

in the ground.
עָפָ֣ר (‘ā·p̄ār)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6083: Dust, clay, earth, mud


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OT Poetry: Job 30:6 So that they dwell in frightful valleys (Jb)
Job 30:5
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