Job 3:22
Job 3:22 in Multiple Translations
who rejoice and greatly exult when they can find the grave?
Which rejoice exceedingly, and are glad, when they can find the grave?
Who rejoice exceedingly, And are glad, when they can find the grave?
Who are glad with great joy, and full of delight when they come to their last resting-place;
They're so incredibly happy when they reach the grave!
Which ioy for gladnes, and reioyce, when they can finde the graue.
Who are glad — unto joy, They rejoice when they find a grave.
who rejoice exceedingly, and are glad, when they can find the grave?
Who rejoice exceedingly, and are glad, when they can find the grave?
And they rejoice exceedingly when they have found the grave.
When they finally die and are buried, they are very happy.
Berean Amplified Bible — Job 3:22
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 3:22 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
הַ/שְּׂמֵחִ֥ים
אֱלֵי
גִ֑יל
יָ֝שִׂ֗ישׂוּ
כִּ֣י
יִמְצְאוּ
קָֽבֶר
הַ/שְּׂמֵחִ֥ים
sâmach
H8055
to rejoice
Art | Adj
אֱלֵי
ʼêl
H413
to(wards)
Prep
גִ֑יל
gîyl
H1524
rejoicing
N-ms
יָ֝שִׂ֗ישׂוּ
sûws
H7797
to rejoice
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
כִּ֣י
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
יִמְצְאוּ
mâtsâʼ
H4672
to find
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
קָֽבֶר
qeber
H6913
grave
N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.
Hebrew Word Reference — Job 3:22
הַ/שְּׂמֵחִ֥ים
sâmach
H8055
"to rejoice"
Art | Adj
This verb means to rejoice or be glad, often used in a religious sense, like when the Israelites rejoiced at the dedication of the temple in 1 Kings 8:66.
Definition: 1) to rejoice, be glad 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to rejoice 1a2) to rejoice (arrogantly), exult (at) 1a3) to rejoice (religiously) 1b) (Piel) to cause to rejoice, gladden, make glad 1c) (Hiphil) to cause to rejoice, gladden, make glad
Usage: Occurs in 148 OT verses. KJV: cheer up, be (make) glad, (have, make) joy(-ful), be (make) merry, (cause to, make to) rejoice, [idiom] very. See also: Exodus 4:14; Psalms 92:5; Psalms 5:12.
אֱלֵי
ʼêl
H413
"to(wards)"
Prep
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Definition: 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)
Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.
גִ֑יל
gîyl
H1524
"rejoicing"
N-ms
This word can mean youth or a period of time, but also joy, as in a sense of gladness or rejoicing, used in various KJV translations.
Definition: a rejoicing
Usage: Occurs in 10 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] exceedingly, gladness, [idiom] greatly, joy, rejoice(-ing), sort. See also: Job 3:22; Isaiah 16:10; Psalms 43:4.
יָ֝שִׂ֗ישׂוּ
sûws
H7797
"to rejoice"
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
This Hebrew word means to feel joyful or cheerful, like a bright and happy feeling. It appears in the Bible when people are celebrating or giving thanks. In the KJV, it is often translated as 'rejoice' or 'be glad'.
Definition: 1) to exult, rejoice 1a) (Qal) to exult, display joy
Usage: Occurs in 24 OT verses. KJV: be glad, [idiom] greatly, joy, make mirth, rejoice. See also: Deuteronomy 28:63; Isaiah 61:10; Psalms 19:6.
כִּ֣י
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
יִמְצְאוּ
mâtsâʼ
H4672
"to find"
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
Matsa means to find or attain something, whether it is a physical object, a person, or a condition, as seen in various KJV translations.
Definition: 1) to find, attain to 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to find 1a1a) to find, secure, acquire, get (thing sought) 1a1b) to find (what is lost) 1a1c) to meet, encounter 1a1d) to find (a condition) 1a1e) to learn, devise 1a2) to find out 1a2a) to find out 1a2b) to detect 1a2c) to guess 1a3) to come upon, light upon 1a3a) to happen upon, meet, fall in with 1a3b) to hit 1a3c) to befall 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be found 1b1a) to be encountered, be lighted upon, be discovered 1b1b) to appear, be recognised 1b1c) to be discovered, be detected 1b1d) to be gained, be secured 1b2) to be, be found 1b2a) to be found in 1b2b) to be in the possession of 1b2c) to be found in (a place), happen to be 1b2d) to be left (after war) 1b2e) to be present 1b2f) to prove to be 1b2g) to be found sufficient, be enough 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to cause to find, attain 1c2) to cause to light upon, come upon, come 1c3) to cause to encounter 1c4) to present (offering)
Usage: Occurs in 425 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] be able, befall, being, catch, [idiom] certainly, (cause to) come (on, to, to hand), deliver, be enough (cause to) find(-ing, occasion, out), get (hold upon), [idiom] have (here), be here, hit, be left, light (up-) on, meet (with), [idiom] occasion serve, (be) present, ready, speed, suffice, take hold on. See also: Genesis 2:20; Deuteronomy 22:3; 2 Kings 9:35.
קָֽבֶר
qeber
H6913
"grave"
N-ms
A grave or sepulchre is a place where the dead are buried, often a tomb or burial site. This word is used in the Bible to describe the final resting place of individuals, and is translated as burying place or sepulchre in the KJV.
Definition: grave, sepulchre, tomb
Usage: Occurs in 62 OT verses. KJV: burying place, grave, sepulchre. See also: Genesis 23:4; 2 Chronicles 32:33; Psalms 5:10.
Study Notes — Job 3:22
Show Verse Quote Highlights
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 reach the grave?
23Why is life given to a man whose way is hidden, whom God has hedged in? 24I sigh when food is put before me, and my groans pour out like water.Job 3:22 Summary
This verse is talking about people who are so miserable and bitter that they are actually excited to die and be buried, because it means an end to their suffering. It's like they are searching for a way to escape the pain and hardship of this life, as Job expresses in Job 3:20-21. But as Christians, we know that our hope is not in escaping this life, but in the promise of eternal life and joy in the presence of God, as Jesus teaches in John 10:10 and 1 Corinthians 2:9. We can trust that God is working everything out for our good, even when we don't understand what is happening, as the apostle Paul writes in Romans 8:28.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the grave in this verse?
The grave represents a place of rest and escape from the suffering and pain of this life, as seen in Job 3:22, where those who are miserable and bitter of soul rejoice when they can find the grave, highlighting the desperation of their situation, similar to what is expressed in Psalm 88:3-5
Why do people rejoice when they can find the grave?
People rejoice when they can find the grave because it means an end to their suffering and pain, as Job expresses in Job 3:20-21, where he questions why the miserable are given life, and as Jesus teaches in Matthew 11:28, that He will give rest to those who are weary and heavy-laden
Is this verse promoting a negative view of life?
No, this verse is not promoting a negative view of life, but rather expressing the emotional and psychological state of those who are suffering and feeling hopeless, as seen in Job's situation, and as the apostle Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 1:8-9, where he describes the intense pressure and despair he faced
How does this verse relate to the overall theme of the book of Job?
This verse relates to the overall theme of the book of Job, which explores the question of why the righteous suffer, and how they can maintain their faith in the midst of suffering, as seen in Job 1:1-3, where Job is introduced as a blameless and upright man, and as the book ultimately concludes in Job 42:1-6, where Job comes to a deeper understanding of God's sovereignty and wisdom
Reflection Questions
- What are the things in my life that make me feel like I am searching for the grave, and how can I bring these concerns to God in prayer?
- How can I cultivate a deeper trust in God's sovereignty and wisdom, even in the midst of suffering and uncertainty, as Job ultimately does in Job 42:1-6?
- What are some ways that I can minister to those who are feeling hopeless and desperate, and how can I point them to the hope and rest that is found in Jesus Christ, as expressed in Matthew 11:28-30?
- What does this verse teach me about the importance of persevering in faith, even when I do not understand what God is doing, as the apostle Paul writes in Romans 8:28-30?
- How can I balance the reality of suffering and pain in this life with the promise of eternal life and joy in the presence of God, as expressed in Psalm 16:11 and Revelation 21:1-4?
Gill's Exposition on Job 3:22
Which rejoice exceedingly,.... Or, "which joy till they do skip again", as Mr.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 3:22
Which long for death, but it cometh not; and dig for it more than for hid treasures; No JFB commentary on these verses.
Trapp's Commentary on Job 3:22
Job 3:22 Which rejoice exceedingly, [and] are glad, when they can find the grave?Ver. 22. Which rejoice exceedingly] Joy till they skip again, so Broughton rendereth it. Strange that any should be so glad of death, that last enemy, that slaughterman of nature, and harbinger of hell to the ungodly; but this the devil hideth from them till he hath them where he would have, and whence there is no redemption. What was it else that moved Augustus at his death to call for a round of applause or that made Julian the apostate to die so confidently; and many today that have little reason for it to be so prodigal of their lives, and seemingly fond of death? Is it not because they are fearfully blinded by the god of this present world, 2 Corinthians 4:4, who holdeth his black hand before their eyes, lest they should see the evil consequents of death, and be saved? which because they do not, what do they else but rejoice exceedingly (or with exultation, as the word here signifieth) in their woeful bondage, and go dancing to hell in their bolts, not so much as desiring deliverance. A man that is to be hanged next day may dream overnight he shall be set free, nay, that he shall be a king, and rejoice therein accordingly; but the end of such joy is heaviness.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 3:22
Verse 22. Which rejoice exceedingly.] Literally, They rejoice with joy, and exult when they find the grave. There is a various reading here in one of Kennicott's MSS., which gives a different sense. Instead of who rejoice, אלי גיל eley gil, with JOY, it has אלי גל eley gal, who rejoice at the TOMB, and exult when they find the grave.
Cambridge Bible on Job 3:22
22. rejoice exceedingly] lit. rejoice even to exultation, Hosea 9:1.
Barnes' Notes on Job 3:22
Which rejoice exceedingly - Hebrew “Who rejoice upon joy or exultation” (אל־גיל 'el-gı̂yl), that is, with exceedingly great joy. When they can find the grave - What an expression!
Whedon's Commentary on Job 3:22
22. Rejoice exceedingly — Literally, unto exultation, so as to leap for joy. The same figure occurs in Hosea 9:1. As is so frequently the case in Job, this verse furnishes a climax: 1) rejoice; 2) to exultation; 3) bound for joy.