Job 10:19

Verse

If only I had never come to be, but had been carried from the womb to the grave.

American Standard Version (1901)

I should have been as though I had not been; I should have been carried from the womb to the grave.

And for me to have been as if I had not been; to have been taken from my mother's body straight to my last resting-place.

Free Bible Version

It would have been better if I had never existed, taken straight from the womb to the grave.

King James (Authorized) Version

I should have been as though I had not been; I should have been carried from the womb to the grave.

Translation for Translators

I consider that it would have been better if I had been carried directly from my mother’s womb to the grave than for me to live.

Unlocked Literal Bible

I would have been as though I had never existed; I would have been carried from the womb to the grave.

Noah Webster Bible

I should have been as though I had not been; I should have been carried from the womb to the grave.

World English Bible

I should have been as though I had not been. I should have been carried from the womb to the grave.

Young's Literal Translation

As I had not been, I am, From the belly to the grave I am brought,

Context

Job’s Plea to God

¹⁸Why then did You bring me from the womb? Oh, that I had died, and no eye had seen me! ¹⁹If only I had never come to be, but had been carried from the womb to the grave. ²⁰Are my days not few? Withdraw from me, that I may have a little comfort,

Summary

In this verse, Job expresses his deep distress and anguish, questioning why he was even born if he was destined to suffer so greatly. Job's words reflect the intense emotional turmoil he is experiencing, grappling with the weight of his afflictions and the seeming absence of relief. This verse captures the raw honesty of Job's lamentation, illustrating the depth of his pain and the profound existential questions he is wrestling with in the midst of his suffering. Job's cry for understanding and mercy resonates with anyone who has faced trials and tribulations beyond their comprehension, seeking solace and answers in the midst of adversity.

Commentary

Adam Clarke
John Gill

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

I should have been as though - Had I given up the ghost as soon as born, as I could not then have been conscious of existence, it would have been, as it respects myself, as though I had never been; being immediately transported from my mother's womb to the grave.

John Gill Bible Commentary

Are not my days few?.... They are so, the days of every man are but few; see Job 14:1; the remainder of Job's days were but few; considering the course of nature, and especially the sore afflictions he had on him, it could not be thought his days on earth were many; in all likelihood, according to human probability, he had but a few days to live: or "are not my days a small little thing" (g)? it is as an hand's breadth, as nothing before God, Psa 39:5, cease then; that is, from afflicting him; since he had so short a time to live, he requests there might be some intermission of his trouble; that he might have some intervals of comfort and refreshment, that not all his days, which were so few, should be spent in grief and sorrow: some connect this with the preceding clause, and which is most agreeable to the accents, "shall not the fewness of my days cease" (h)? I have but a few days, and these few days will soon cease; therefore give me some respite from my afflictions; and so the Targum,"are not my days swift and ceasing?" and let me alone; do not follow me with afflictions, or disturb and distress me with them; but take off thine hand, that I may have some rest and ease; see Job 7:10; or "put from me"; thine anger, as Kimchi, or thine army, as Junius and Tremellius; or thy camp, as Cocceius; that is, decamp from me, remove thy troops, the changes and war that are against me, by which I am besieged, surrounded, and straitened; let me be delivered from them: that I may take comfort a little; that he might have some breathing time, some respite from his troubles, some refreshment to his spirit, some reviving to his fainting soul, some renewing of strength, before he departed this life; see Psa 39:13; so Aben Ezra and Gersom render it: "that I may be strengthened"; or that his heart might gather strength. (g) "nonne parum dies mei?" Montanus, Bolducius, Schmidt; "paucum quid", Vatablus, Beza, Mercerus. (h) "An non param, vel paucitas dierum meorum cessabit?" Cocceius; "annon pauxillulum dierum meorum deficiet?" Schultens.

Job 10:19

Job’s Plea to God

Scripture
Sermons
Commentary

Berean Standard Bible

If only I had never come to be, but had been carried from the womb to the grave.

American Standard Version (1901)

I should have been as though I had not been; I should have been carried from the womb to the grave.

Bible in Basic English

And for me to have been as if I had not been; to have been taken from my mother's body straight to my last resting-place.

Free Bible Version

It would have been better if I had never existed, taken straight from the womb to the grave.

King James (Authorized) Version

I should have been as though I had not been; I should have been carried from the womb to the grave.

Translation for Translators

I consider that it would have been better if I had been carried directly from my mother’s womb to the grave than for me to live.

Unlocked Literal Bible

I would have been as though I had never existed; I would have been carried from the womb to the grave.

Noah Webster Bible

I should have been as though I had not been; I should have been carried from the womb to the grave.

World English Bible

I should have been as though I had not been. I should have been carried from the womb to the grave.

Young's Literal Translation

As I had not been, I am, From the belly to the grave I am brought,

Adam Clarke
John Gill

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

John Gill Bible Commentary