Job 30:11

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Job 30:11 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “For he hath loosed his cord, and afflicted me; And they have cast off the bridle before me.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

For he hath loosed his cord, and afflicted me; And they have cast off the bridle before me.
Job 30:11 — American Standard Version

Context — Job 30

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
11For he hath loosed his cord, and afflicted me; And they have cast off the bridle before me.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Because he hath loosed my cord, etc.] Not his silver cord, for then he must have died immediately, (<211206>Ecclesiastes 12:6); though it may be understood of the loosening of his nerves through the force of his disease, and the afflictions he endured from God and man, (see <183017>Job 30:17); or rather of the shattered state and condition of his family and substance; which, while he enjoyed, he had respect and reverence from men; but now all being loosed, scattered, and destroyed, he was treated with derision and scorn; or, better still, of his power and authority as a civil magistrate, by which, as with a cord, he bound many to subjection and obedience to him, and which commanded reverence…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“He--that is, "God"; antithetical to "they"; English Version here follows the marginal reading (Keri). my cord--image from a bow unstrung; opposed to Job 29:20. The text (Chetib), "His cord" or "reins" is better; "yea, each lets loose his reins" [UMBREIT].”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Because he hath loosed my cord - According to this translation, the reference here is to God, and the sense is, that the reason why he was thus derided and contemned by such a worthless race was, that God had unloosened his cord. That is, God had rendered him incapable of vindicating himself, or of inflicting punishment. The figure, according to this interpretation, is taken from a bow, and Job means to say that his bow was relaxed, his vigor was gone, and they now felt that they might insult him with impunity. But instead of the usual reading in the Hebrew text יתרי yithriy - “my nerve,” another reading יתרוּ yithriv - “his nerve,” is found in the qeri (margin). This reading has been…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“He - God. Cord - Hath slackened the string of my bow, and so rendered my bow and arrows useless; he hath deprived me of my strength or defence. Let loose - They cast off all former restraints of humanity, or modesty, and do those things before mine eyes, which formerly they trembled lest they should come to my ears. Job 30:12”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“loosed: Job 12:18, Job 12:21; Sa2 16:5-8 let loose: Psa 35:21; Mat 26:67, Mat 26:68, Mat 27:39-44; Jam 1:26 Job 30:12”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification