job 30 and 31

Read Job 30 and 31 at Bible Gateway.

The Hebrew paragraph divisions for each man’s speech are like the divisions in the Psalms that we studied in 2014. There is an understood {s} division at the end of each numbered line, with an {n} marking where a new line begins within a numbered line.

Job 30:1-31:39 {s} Division at the end of each numbered line; with these {n} divisions within lines:
Job 30:1a But now they mock at me, men younger than I, {n}
Job 30:15a Terrors are turned upon me; {n}
Job 31:7a, If my step has turned from the way, {n}
Job 31:34a, Because I feared the great multitude, And dreaded the contempt of families, {n}
Job 31:35a, Oh, that I had one to hear me! Here is my mark. Oh, that the Almighty would answer me, {n}

Job 31:40 {p} Then let thistles grow instead of wheat, And weeds instead of barley.” The words of Job are ended. {p}

Job’s final discourse from Job 29:1-31:40 forms its own chiastic structure:

1a) Job 29:1-30:15, Righteousness worthy of honor;

1a) Job 29:1-6, Job’s former prosperity;
shim1b) Job 29:7-25, Job held in reverence because of his righteousness + wisdom;
shim2b) Job 30:1-15a, Job held in derision because of his calamity;
2a) Job 30:15b, And my prosperity has passed like a cloud.

1b) Job 30:16-19, My soul is poured out / The days of affliction take hold of me;

1c) Job 30:20, I cry out to You, but You do not answer me;

1d) Job 30:21-22, With the strength of Your hand You oppose me;

central axis) Job 30:23, For I know that You will bring me to death, and to the house appointed for all living;

2d) Job 30:24-25, Would He stretch out His hand against a heap of ruins;

2c) Job 30:26, When I looked for good, evil came;

2b) Job 30:27-31, My heart is in turmoil / The days of affliction confront me;

2a) Job 31:1-40, Wickedness worthy of judgment;

1a) Job 31:1-10, Does He not see my ways, and count all my steps?
shim1b) Job 31:11-12, Iniquity deserving of judgment;
shimtwocentral axis) Job 31:13-34, If I have done wickedly, let judgment come upon me;
shim2b) Job 31:35-36, Oh, that the Almighty would answer me!
2a) Job 31:37-40, I would declare to Him the number of my steps.