Job 3:21

Verse

who long for death that does not come, and search for it like hidden treasure,

American Standard Version (1901)

Who long for death, but it cometh not, And dig for it more than for hid treasures;

To those whose desire is for death, but it comes not; who are searching for it more than for secret wealth;

those who are waiting for death that does not come and who are looking for death more desperately than hunting for treasure?

King James (Authorized) Version

Which long for death, but it cometh not; and dig for it more than for hid treasures;

Translation for Translators

They long/want to die, but they do not die. They desire to die more than people desire to find a hidden treasure.

Unlocked Literal Bible

to one who longs for death without it coming; to one who digs for death more than for hidden treasure?

Noah Webster Bible

Who long for death, but it cometh not; and dig for it more than for hid treasures;

World English Bible

who long for death, but it doesn’t come; and dig for it more than for hidden treasures,

Young's Literal Translation

Who are waiting for death, and it is not, And they seek it above hid treasures.

Context

Job Laments His Birth

²⁰Why is light given to the miserable, and life to the bitter of soul, ²¹who long for death that does not come, and search for it like hidden treasure, ²²who rejoice and greatly exult when they can find the grave?

Summary

In this verse, Job expresses the deep anguish and despair he is feeling, longing for death as a release from his suffering. Job's lament reflects the intense emotional and physical pain he is enduring, causing him to desire an end to his existence. This poignant cry reveals the depth of Job's suffering and his yearning for relief from the overwhelming trials he is facing. Job's words resonate with those who have experienced profound suffering and desperation, highlighting the raw honesty and vulnerability found in the book of Job.

Commentary

Adam Clarke
John Gill
Tyndale

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

Which long for death - They look to it as the end of all their miseries; and long more for a separation from life, than those who love gold do for a rich mine.

John Gill Bible Commentary

Which long for death, but it cometh not,.... Who earnestly desire, wistly look out, wish for, and expect it, and with open mouth gape for it, as a hungry man for his food, or as the fish for the bait, or the fishermen for the fish, as some (a) observe the word may signify; but it comes not to their wish and expectation, or so soon as they would have it; the reason is, because the fixed time for it is not come, otherwise it will certainly come at God's appointed time, and often in an hour not thought of; death is not desirable in itself, being a dissolution of nature, or as it is the sanction of the law, or the wages of sin, or a penal evil; and though it is and may be lawfully desired by good men, that they may be free from sin, and be in a better capacity to serve the Lord, and that they may be for ever with him; yet such desires should be expressed with submission to the divine will, and the appointed time should be patiently waited for, and should not be desired merely to be rid of present afflictions and troubles, which was the case of Job, and of those he here describes; see Rev 9:6, and dig for it more than for hid treasures; which are naturally hid in the earth; as gold and silver ore, with other metals and precious stones; or which are of choice concealed there from the plunder of others; the former seems rather to be meant, and in digging for which great pains, diligence, and industry, are used, see Pro 2:4; and is expressive of the very great importunity and strong desire of men in distressed circumstances after death, seeking diligently and pressing importunately for it; the sin of suicide not being known, or very rare, in that early time, or however was shunned and abhorred even by those that were most weary of their lives: some render it, "who dig for it out off hid treasures" (b); out of the bowels of the earth, and the lowest parts of it, could they but find it there: but the Targum, Jarchi, and others, understand it comparatively, as we do. (a) So Junius & Tremellius, Piscator. vid. Schultens in loc. (b) "e thesauris", Cocceius; "ex imis terrae latebris", Mercerus: "ex locis absconditis", Schmidt.

Job 3:21

Job Laments His Birth

Scripture
Sermons
Commentary

Berean Standard Bible

who long for death that does not come, and search for it like hidden treasure,

American Standard Version (1901)

Who long for death, but it cometh not, And dig for it more than for hid treasures;

Bible in Basic English

To those whose desire is for death, but it comes not; who are searching for it more than for secret wealth;

Free Bible Version

those who are waiting for death that does not come and who are looking for death more desperately than hunting for treasure?

King James (Authorized) Version

Which long for death, but it cometh not; and dig for it more than for hid treasures;

Translation for Translators

They long/want to die, but they do not die. They desire to die more than people desire to find a hidden treasure.

Unlocked Literal Bible

to one who longs for death without it coming; to one who digs for death more than for hidden treasure?

Noah Webster Bible

Who long for death, but it cometh not; and dig for it more than for hid treasures;

World English Bible

who long for death, but it doesn’t come; and dig for it more than for hidden treasures,

Young's Literal Translation

Who are waiting for death, and it is not, And they seek it above hid treasures.

Adam Clarke
John Gill
Tyndale

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

Which long for death - They look to it as the end of all their miseries; and long more for a separation from life, than those who love gold do for a rich mine.

John Gill Bible Commentary

Job 3:21

Verse

Context

Job Laments His Birth

Summary

Commentary

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

John Gill Bible Commentary

Tyndale Open Study Notes

Job 3:21

Job Laments His Birth

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

John Gill Bible Commentary

Tyndale Open Study Notes