They were confounded because they had hoped; they came thither, and were ashamed.
They had hoped - literally, each had hoped-namely, that their companions would find water. The greater had been their hopes the more bitter now their disappointment; they came there to the place and were ashamed;-literally, their countenances burn-an oriental phrase for the shame and consternation of deceived expectation. So ashamed as to disappointment - "Hope maketh not ashamed" (Romans 5:5). As the dried up brook is to the caravan, so are ye to me-namely, a nothing; ye might as well not be in existence (Umbreit): just as the brook in summer is a nonentity to the thirsty travelers.
Now - namely, when I have you present with me-in contrast to past time when they were away, and when Job had hoped for comfort from their coming to him. The margin, like to them or it-namely, the waters of the brook-is not so good a reading.
Ye see, and are afraid - ye are struck aghast at the sight of my misery, and ye lose presence of mind. Job puts this mild construction on their failing to relieve him with affectionate consolation.
My casting down - ruin. Umbreit translates 'terror' - i:e., my frightful misery. Hardly have ye with your own eyes seen my calamity, when, suspecting that I must have deserved it, ye desert me in terror.