They were children of fools, yea, children of base men: they were viler than the earth.
They were children of foolish people, yes, children of worthless men: they were more despised than dirt.
Job is describing how the people who now mock him come from families with no reputation or honor - they are considered lower than the ground itself.
📚 Historical Context
Job is continuing his lament about how his social status has completely reversed. In ancient Middle Eastern culture, family lineage and social standing were extremely important, and being from a 'base' or dishonorable family meant exclusion from respectable society. Job is emphasizing that even people from the lowest social classes, who would normally never dare speak against a respected man like him, now feel free to mock and despise him.
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