Midrasch zu Ijow 22:16

(Job 22, 16) Who were shrivelled up before their time. We are taught in a Baraitha that R. Simon the Pious said: "This refers to the nine hundred and seventy-four generations which were hindered (Fol. 14) from being created." The Holy One, praised be He! scattered them through all the successive generations, and these are the impudent who are found in each and every generation. R. Nachman b. Isaac, however, said: "On the contrary, this passage refers to those who are pressed and are in need of a blessing. As for those scholars whose faces have become wrinkled over the words of the Torah in this world, the Holy One, praised be He! will disclose to them the secrets of the world to come, as it is said (Job 22, 16) Whose foundation was flooded away like a river."