For want and famine [they were] solitary; fleeing into the wilderness in former time desolate and waste.
Ver. 3. For want and famine they were solitary] Miserably poor they were, and nittily needy; scarce having a rag to their backs, and, therefore, ashamed to show themselves in company of others, propter penuriam, et propter esuriem, they lurked in bycorners, and seldom came abroad, unless when hard hunger drove the wolf out of the wood. Slow bellies they had ever been, and evil beasts, fitter, therefore, to live in the wilderness, in former time desolate and waste, than in a civil society; or, if in any place, at Poneropolis, a city built by Philip, king of Macedonia, for varlets and vagrants, and with such kind of persons peopled; that they might not pester other places. Job would have none such about him; and was, therefore, haply, now in this low condition, so much hated and affronted by them.
In former time desolate and waste] And so perhaps haunted by the devil, as Isaiah 13:20,21. Brentius rendereth it, Hesternam pressuram et consternationem, yesterday's pressures and fright; that is, saith he, The creditor's eagerness to be satisfied, which frighteth these wretches, and putteth them to their work.