Albert Barnes Commentary Job 18:16

"His roots shall be dried up beneath, And above shall his branch be cut off." — Job 18:16 (ASV)

His roots shall be dried up – Another image of complete desolation – where he is compared to a tree that is dead – a figure whose meaning is obvious, and which often occurs; see Job 15:30, note; Job 8:12–13, notes.

Above his branch – Perhaps referring to his children or family. All shall be swept away – an allusion which Job could not well hesitate to apply to himself.