Job 3:16
Job 3:16 in Multiple Translations
Or why was I not hidden like a stillborn child, like an infant who never sees daylight?
Or as an hidden untimely birth I had not been; as infants which never saw light.
Or as a hidden untimely birth I had not been, As infants that never saw light.
Or as a child dead at birth I might never have come into existence; like young children who have not seen the light.
Why wasn't I a miscarriage, buried in secret, a baby who never saw the light?
Or why was I not hid, as an vntimely birth, either as infants, which haue not seene the light?
(Or as a hidden abortion I am not, As infants — they have not seen light.)
or as a hidden untimely birth I had not been, as infants who never saw light.
Or as a hidden untimely birth I had not been; as infants which never saw light.
Or as a hidden untimely birth I should not be, or as they that being conceived have not seen the light.
I wish that I had been buried like a child who died in its mother’s womb and never lived to see the light.
Berean Amplified Bible — Job 3:16
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Job 3:16 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
א֤וֹ
כְ/נֵ֣פֶל
טָ֭מוּן
לֹ֣א
אֶהְיֶ֑ה
כְּ֝/עֹלְלִ֗ים
לֹא
רָ֥אוּ
אֽוֹר
א֤וֹ
ʼôw
H176
or
Conj
כְ/נֵ֣פֶל
nephel
H5309
miscarriage
Prep | N-ms
טָ֭מוּן
ṭâman
H2934
to hide
V-Qal-Inf-c
לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Part
אֶהְיֶ֑ה
hâyâh
H1961
to be
V-Qal-Imperf-1cs
כְּ֝/עֹלְלִ֗ים
ʻôwlêl
H5768
infant
Prep | N-mp
לֹא
lôʼ
H3808
not
Part
רָ֥אוּ
râʼâh
H7200
Provider
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
אֽוֹר
ʼôwr
H216
light
N-cs
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Job 3:16
א֤וֹ
ʼôw
H176
"or"
Conj
Desire can also mean or, and, or if, showing a choice between options, as seen in Proverbs 31:4. It is used to express alternatives or possibilities.
Definition: 1) or, rather 1a) implying that the latter choice is preferred 1b) or if, introducing an example to be seen under a particular principle 1c) (in series) either...or, whether...or 1d) if perchance 1e) except, or else 2) whether, not the least, if, otherwise, also, and, then
Usage: Occurs in 218 OT verses. KJV: also, and, either, if, at the least, [idiom] nor, or, otherwise, then, whether. See also: Genesis 24:49; Leviticus 25:49; Proverbs 30:31.
כְ/נֵ֣פֶל
nephel
H5309
"miscarriage"
Prep | N-ms
This word refers to a miscarriage or an untimely birth, and it's used in the Bible to describe a sad event. It appears in books like Exodus and Job, where it talks about the pain of losing a child.
Definition: untimely birth, abortion, miscarriage
Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: untimely birth. See also: Job 3:16; Psalms 58:9; Ecclesiastes 6:3.
טָ֭מוּן
ṭâman
H2934
"to hide"
V-Qal-Inf-c
In the Bible, this word means to hide or conceal something, often secretly, as in Joshua. It can also mean to bury or lay something aside, out of sight or knowledge.
Definition: 1) to hide, conceal, bury 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to hide 1a2) hiding, concealing, secretly laying (participle) 1a3) darkness (participle) 1b) (Niphal) to hide oneself 1c) (Hiphil) to hide
Usage: Occurs in 29 OT verses. KJV: hide, lay privily, in secret. See also: Genesis 35:4; Psalms 35:7; Psalms 9:16.
לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
אֶהְיֶ֑ה
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
V-Qal-Imperf-1cs
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
כְּ֝/עֹלְלִ֗ים
ʻôwlêl
H5768
"infant"
Prep | N-mp
This word refers to a young child or infant, often describing a baby or toddler. It is used in the Bible to describe the early stages of life.
Definition: child, boy
Usage: Occurs in 20 OT verses. KJV: babe, (young) child, infant, little one. See also: 1 Samuel 15:3; Jeremiah 44:7; Psalms 8:3.
לֹא
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
רָ֥אוּ
râʼâh
H7200
"Provider"
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
The Hebrew word for provider means to see or look after, and is used to describe God's care for his people. It appears in various forms throughout the Bible, including in Genesis and other books.
Definition: (Lord will) Provide, cause to be seen. This name means to see, look at, inspect, look after
Usage: Occurs in 1206 OT verses. KJV: advise self, appear, approve, behold, [idiom] certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have experience, gaze, take heed, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] joyfully, lo, look (on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up, upon), mark, meet, [idiom] be near, perceive, present, provide, regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one another), shew (self), [idiom] sight of others, (e-) spy, stare, [idiom] surely, [idiom] think, view, visions. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 41:41; Exodus 33:13.
אֽוֹר
ʼôwr
H216
"light"
N-cs
Light, including natural light from the sun or stars, and also spiritual light from God. It can refer to happiness, prosperity, or understanding. In the Bible, God is often described as the source of light and life.
Definition: 1) light 1a) light of day 1b) light of heavenly luminaries (moon, sun, stars) 1c) day-break, dawn, morning light 1d) daylight 1e) lightning 1f) light of lamp 1g) light of life 1h) light of prosperity 1i) light of instruction 1j) light of face (fig.) 1k) Jehovah as Israel's light
Usage: Occurs in 110 OT verses. KJV: bright, clear, [phrase] day, light (-ning), morning, sun. See also: Genesis 1:3; Psalms 78:14; Psalms 4:7.
Study Notes — Job 3:16
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Job 3:16 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Job 3:16
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 3:16
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 3:16
- Trapp's Commentary on Job 3:16
- Ellicott's Commentary on Job 3:16
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 3:16
- Cambridge Bible on Job 3:16
- Barnes' Notes on Job 3:16
- Whedon's Commentary on Job 3:16
- Sermons on Job 3:16
Context — Job Laments His Birth
14with kings and counselors of the earth, who built for themselves cities now in ruins,
15or with princes who had gold, who filled their houses with silver.
16Or why was I not hidden like a stillborn child, like an infant who never sees daylight?
17There the wicked cease from raging, and there the weary find rest. 18The captives enjoy their ease; they do not hear the voice of the oppressor.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalms 58:8 | Like a slug that dissolves in its slime, like a woman’s stillborn child, may they never see the sun. |
| 2 | Ecclesiastes 6:3 | A man may father a hundred children and live for many years; yet no matter how long he lives, if he is unsatisfied with his prosperity and does not even receive a proper burial, I say that a stillborn child is better off than he. |
| 3 | 1 Corinthians 15:8 | And last of all He appeared to me also, as to one of untimely birth. |
Job 3:16 Summary
[In Job 3:16, Job is saying that he wishes he had never been born, because his life has been so full of pain and suffering. This verse helps us understand that even good people can feel overwhelmed and want to give up, but as we see in Psalm 23:4, God is always with us, even in the darkest times. We can trust that God has a plan to work all things together for our good, as promised in Romans 8:28, and that gives us hope to keep going, even when things seem impossible.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of Job comparing himself to a stillborn child in Job 3:16?
Job is expressing his deep despair and wish that he had not been born, much like Jeremiah did in Jeremiah 20:14-18, highlighting the intense suffering he was enduring.
How does this verse relate to the concept of suffering in the Bible?
This verse shows that even righteous people like Job can experience immense suffering, but as Romans 8:28 reminds us, God works all things together for the good of those who love Him.
Is Job's desire to have been stillborn a sinful thought?
While it may seem like a desperate and perhaps sinful thought, it's essential to understand the context of Job's emotional state, as seen in Job 3:1-10, and recognize that even the righteous can have dark moments, as expressed in Psalm 88:1-18.
What can we learn from Job's lament in this verse?
We can learn that it's okay to express our emotions and struggles to God, as Job did, and trust in His sovereign plan, as stated in Proverbs 3:5-6, even when we don't understand our circumstances.
Reflection Questions
- What are some times in my life when I felt like I wished I had never been born, and how did I cope with those emotions?
- How can I balance my desire to express my emotions and struggles with the need to trust in God's sovereignty, as seen in Job 3:16 and Psalm 13:1-6?
- In what ways can I apply the principle of Romans 8:28 to my life, trusting that God is working all things together for my good, even in difficult times?
- What does this verse teach me about the importance of perseverance and faith in the face of suffering, and how can I apply that to my own life?
Gill's Exposition on Job 3:16
Or as an hidden untimely birth,.... Or "hid, as one born out of time", as Mr.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 3:16
Or as an hidden untimely birth I had not been; as infants which never saw light. Untimely birth (Psalms 58:8) - preferable to the life of the restless miser (Ecclesiastes 6:3-5).
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 3:16
Hidden; undiscerned and unregarded. Untimely birth; born before the due time, and therefore extinct. I had not been, to wit, in the land of the living, of which he here speaketh. As infants which never saw light; being stifled and dead before they were born.
Trapp's Commentary on Job 3:16
Job 3:16 Or as an hidden untimely birth I had not been; as infants [which] never saw light.Ver. 16. Or as an hidden untimely birth I had not been] As an abortive or miscarrying embryo that falleth from the mother, as untimely fruit falleth off from the tree. See Revelation 6:13. Hidden it is called, because cast aside as an unsightly spectacle, that cometh in with vanity, and departeth in darkness, and his name is covered with darkness, Ecclesiastes 6:4. Job could have wished some way or other never to have been, rather than to have been in so calamitous a condition; and herein he sinned, no doubt: for that which is of the flesh is flesh, John 3:6. As infants which never saw light] But were still born, as we call them. The word rendered infants is taken from a word that signifieth to defile, see Job 16:15, for children in the womb are compassed about with pollution; and the first sheet or blanket wherewith they are covered is woven of sin, shame, blood, and filth, Ezekiel 16:4; Ezekiel 16:6.
Ellicott's Commentary on Job 3:16
(16) Untimely birth.—Another condition which would have relieved him from the experience of suffering.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 3:16
Verse 16. Or as a hidden untimely birth] An early miscarriage, which was scarcely perceptible by the parent herself; and in this case he had not been - he had never had the distinguishable form of a human being, whether male or female. As infants] Little ones; those farther advanced in maturity, but miscarried long before the time of birth.
Cambridge Bible on Job 3:16
16. With strong revulsion from the anguish of life Job desires even if possible a deeper death than to have died when born, even the death of having been dead born, scarcely to be distinguished from non-existence itself. Comp. Ecclesiastes 4:2-3, with Plumptre’s notes and citations from the classics.
Barnes' Notes on Job 3:16
Or as an hidden untimely birth - As an abortion which is hid, or concealed; that is, which is soon removed from the sight.
Whedon's Commentary on Job 3:16
16. Untimely birth — A like figure appears in Psalms 58:8. A similarity has been traced in other passages between Job and the Psalms.
Sermons on Job 3:16
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
The Burning Bush by Zac Poonen | This sermon emphasizes the importance of preserving a pure testimony for God, focusing on the need to die to self, let go of personal opinions, and be filled with the Holy Spirit. |
|
Skyland Conference 1979-11 Report on the Mideast by Aldy Fam Fanous | In this sermon, the speaker recounts a personal experience of being protected from shrapnel during a bombing. Despite the danger, the speaker and their family were miraculously unh |
|
Paul on the Road to Damascus by Art Katz | Art Katz explores the transformative experience of Paul on the road to Damascus, emphasizing the divine revelation of Christ that changed Paul's life and mission. He highlights tha |