Charles Ellicott Commentary Job 18:12

"His strength shall be hunger-bitten, And calamity shall be ready at his side." — Job 18:12 (ASV)

His strength. — By “strength” some understand his firstborn son, as Genesis 49:3, but it is not necessary to take it in any other way than literally.

Destruction shall be ready at his side. — Or, according to some, for his halting; shall lie in wait for his tripping in order to overthrow him.