Job 30:26
Job 30:26 in Multiple Translations
But when I hoped for good, evil came; when I looked for light, darkness fell.
When I looked for good, then evil came unto me: and when I waited for light, there came darkness.
When I looked for good, then evil came; And when I waited for light, there came darkness.
For I was looking for good, and evil came; I was waiting for light, and it became dark.
But when I looked for good, only evil came, and when I waited for the light, all that came was darkness.
Yet when I looked for good, euill came vnto me: and when I waited for light, there came darkenesse.
When good I expected, then cometh evil, And I wait for light, and darkness cometh.
When I looked for good, then evil came. When I waited for light, darkness came.
When I looked for good, then evil came: and when I waited for light, there came darkness.
I expected good things, and evils are come upon me: I waited for light, and darkness broke out.
But when I expected good things to happen to me, evil things happened; when I waited for light/happiness, all I experienced was darkness/unhappiness [MET].
Berean Amplified Bible — Job 30:26
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 30:26 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
כִּ֤י
ט֣וֹב
קִ֭וִּיתִי
וַ/יָּ֣בֹא
רָ֑ע
וַֽ/אֲיַחֲלָ֥ה
לְ֝/א֗וֹר
וַ/יָּ֥בֹא
אֹֽפֶל
כִּ֤י
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
ט֣וֹב
ṭôwb
H2896
pleasant
Adj
קִ֭וִּיתִי
qâvâh
H6960
to await
V-Piel-Perf-1cs
וַ/יָּ֣בֹא
bôwʼ
H935
Lebo
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
רָ֑ע
raʻ
H7451
bad
Adj
וַֽ/אֲיַחֲלָ֥ה
yâchal
H3176
to wait
Conj | V-Piel-1cs
לְ֝/א֗וֹר
ʼôwr
H216
light
Prep | N-cs
וַ/יָּ֥בֹא
bôwʼ
H935
Lebo
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
אֹֽפֶל
ʼôphel
H652
darkness
N-ms
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 30:26
כִּ֤י
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.
ט֣וֹב
ṭôwb
H2896
"pleasant"
Adj
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means good or welfare, describing something that is beneficial or pleasing, like a good deed or a happy time. It is used in many contexts, including Genesis and Psalms. This word is often translated as 'good' or 'beautiful'.
Definition: adj 1) good, pleasant, agreeable 1a) pleasant, agreeable (to the senses) 1b) pleasant (to the higher nature) 1c) good, excellent (of its kind) 1d) good, rich, valuable in estimation 1e) good, appropriate, becoming 1f) better (comparative) 1g) glad, happy, prosperous (of man's sensuous nature) 1h) good understanding (of man's intellectual nature) 1i) good, kind, benign 1j) good, right (ethical) Aramaic equivalent: tav (טָב "fine" H2869)
Usage: Occurs in 521 OT verses. KJV: beautiful, best, better, bountiful, cheerful, at ease, [idiom] fair (word), (be in) favour, fine, glad, good (deed, -lier, -liest, -ly, -ness, -s), graciously, joyful, kindly, kindness, liketh (best), loving, merry, [idiom] most, pleasant, [phrase] pleaseth, pleasure, precious, prosperity, ready, sweet, wealth, welfare, (be) well(-favoured). See also: Genesis 1:4; Ruth 2:22; 2 Chronicles 3:8.
קִ֭וִּיתִי
qâvâh
H6960
"to await"
V-Piel-Perf-1cs
This Hebrew word means to collect or gather things together, and can also mean to wait patiently for something. It is used in Psalms and Proverbs to describe waiting on God.
Definition: 1) to wait, look for, hope, expect 1a) (Qal) waiting (participle) 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to wait or look eagerly for 1b2) to lie in wait for 1b3) to wait for, linger for
Usage: Occurs in 45 OT verses. KJV: gather (together), look, patiently, tarry, wait (for, on, upon). See also: Genesis 1:9; Isaiah 5:2; Psalms 25:3.
וַ/יָּ֣בֹא
bôwʼ
H935
"Lebo"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This verb means to go or come, and is used in many contexts, such as entering a place or approaching someone, as seen in the book of Genesis. It can also mean to abide or apply, and is translated in various ways in the KJV Bible. This term is related to the name Lebo Hamath.
Definition: A shortened name of Lebo Hamath complined withcha.mat (חֲמָת "Hamath" H2574) This name means to go in, enter
Usage: Occurs in 2307 OT verses. KJV: abide, apply, attain, [idiom] be, befall, [phrase] besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, [idiom] certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, [idiom] doubtless again, [phrase] eat, [phrase] employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, [phrase] follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, [phrase] have, [idiom] indeed, (in-) vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, [idiom] (well) stricken (in age), [idiom] surely, take (in), way. See also: Genesis 2:19; Genesis 32:7; Exodus 1:19.
רָ֑ע
raʻ
H7451
"bad"
Adj
Ra means bad or evil, referring to moral or natural harm. It describes adversity, affliction, or distress, and is often used to convey a sense of misery or injury.
Definition: : harmful adj 1) bad, evil 1a) bad, disagreeable, malignant 1b) bad, unpleasant, evil (giving pain, unhappiness, misery) 1c) evil, displeasing 1d) bad (of its kind-land, water, etc) 1e) bad (of value) 1f) worse than, worst (comparison) 1g) sad, unhappy 1h) evil (hurtful) 1i) bad, unkind (vicious in disposition) 1j) bad, evil, wicked (ethically) 1j1) in general, of persons, of thoughts 1j2) deeds, actions
Usage: Occurs in 623 OT verses. KJV: adversity, affliction, bad, calamity, [phrase] displease(-ure), distress, evil((-favouredness), man, thing), [phrase] exceedingly, [idiom] great, grief(-vous), harm, heavy, hurt(-ful), ill (favoured), [phrase] mark, mischief(-vous), misery, naught(-ty), noisome, [phrase] not please, sad(-ly), sore, sorrow, trouble, vex, wicked(-ly, -ness, one), worse(-st), wretchedness, wrong. (Incl. feminine raaah; as adjective or noun.). See also: Genesis 2:9; Judges 9:57; 2 Kings 21:6.
וַֽ/אֲיַחֲלָ֥ה
yâchal
H3176
"to wait"
Conj | V-Piel-1cs
To wait or be patient is the meaning of this verb, used to describe hoping or trusting in something, as seen in various KJV translations.
Definition: : wait[for_time] 1) to wait, hope, expect 1a) (Niphal) to wait 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to wait, await, tarry 1b2) to wait for, hope for 1c) (Hiphil) to wait, tarry, wait for, hope for Also means: ya.chal (יָחַל ": hope" H3176H)
Usage: Occurs in 41 OT verses. KJV: (cause to, have, make to) hope, be pained, stay, tarry, trust, wait. See also: Genesis 8:12; Psalms 69:4; Psalms 31:25.
לְ֝/א֗וֹר
ʼôwr
H216
"light"
Prep | 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.
וַ/יָּ֥בֹא
bôwʼ
H935
"Lebo"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This verb means to go or come, and is used in many contexts, such as entering a place or approaching someone, as seen in the book of Genesis. It can also mean to abide or apply, and is translated in various ways in the KJV Bible. This term is related to the name Lebo Hamath.
Definition: A shortened name of Lebo Hamath complined withcha.mat (חֲמָת "Hamath" H2574) This name means to go in, enter
Usage: Occurs in 2307 OT verses. KJV: abide, apply, attain, [idiom] be, befall, [phrase] besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, [idiom] certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, [idiom] doubtless again, [phrase] eat, [phrase] employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, [phrase] follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, [phrase] have, [idiom] indeed, (in-) vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, [idiom] (well) stricken (in age), [idiom] surely, take (in), way. See also: Genesis 2:19; Genesis 32:7; Exodus 1:19.
אֹֽפֶל
ʼôphel
H652
"darkness"
N-ms
This word describes a state of darkness or gloom, both physically and spiritually. In the book of Isaiah, it is used to describe a time of spiritual darkness and calamity. The term can also imply secrecy or stealth.
Definition: 1) darkness, gloom 2) spiritual unreceptivity, calamity (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 8 OT verses. KJV: darkness, obscurity, privily. See also: Job 3:6; Job 30:26; Psalms 11:2.
Study Notes — Job 30:26
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Job 30:26 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Job 30:26
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 30:26
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 30:26
- Trapp's Commentary on Job 30:26
- Ellicott's Commentary on Job 30:26
- Cambridge Bible on Job 30:26
- Barnes' Notes on Job 30:26
- Sermons on Job 30:26
Context — Job’s Prosperity Becomes Calamity
24Yet no one stretches out his hand against a ruined man when he cries for help in his distress.
25Have I not wept for those in trouble? Has my soul not grieved for the needy?
26But when I hoped for good, evil came; when I looked for light, darkness fell.
27I am churning within and cannot rest; days of affliction confront me. 28I go about blackened, but not by the sun. I stand up in the assembly and cry for help.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jeremiah 8:15 | We hoped for peace, but no good has come, for a time of healing, but there was only terror. |
| 2 | Job 3:25–26 | For the thing I feared has overtaken me, and what I dreaded has befallen me. I am not at ease or quiet; I have no rest, for trouble has come.” |
| 3 | Jeremiah 14:19 | Have You rejected Judah completely? Do You despise Zion? Why have You stricken us so that we are beyond healing? We hoped for peace, but no good has come, and for the time of healing, but there was only terror. |
| 4 | Psalms 97:11 | Light shines on the righteous, gladness on the upright in heart. |
| 5 | Isaiah 50:10 | Who among you fears the LORD and obeys the voice of His Servant? Who among you walks in darkness and has no light? Let him trust in the name of the LORD; let him lean on his God. |
| 6 | Job 23:17 | Yet I am not silenced by the darkness, by the thick darkness that covers my face. |
| 7 | Job 19:8 | He has blocked my way so I cannot pass; He has veiled my paths with darkness. |
| 8 | Micah 1:12 | For the dwellers of Maroth pined for good, but calamity came down from the LORD, even to the gate of Jerusalem. |
| 9 | Job 29:18 | So I thought: ‘I will die in my nest and multiply my days as the sand. |
| 10 | Job 18:6 | The light in his tent grows dark, and the lamp beside him goes out. |
Job 30:26 Summary
[This verse is saying that even when we hope for good things to happen, sometimes bad things happen instead, and that can be really confusing and hard to understand. But as the Bible says in Psalm 119:105, God's word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path, and we can trust that He is always with us, even in the darkest times. We can look to God's promise in Jeremiah 29:11 that He has plans to prosper us, not to harm us, and that gives us hope for the future. By trusting in God's goodness and sovereignty, we can navigate the difficulties of life and find peace in the midst of chaos.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Job mean when he says 'when I hoped for good, evil came'?
Job is expressing his disappointment and frustration with the way his life has turned out, despite his hopes and expectations for good things to happen, as seen in Jeremiah 29:11 where God promises to prosper those who trust in Him.
Is Job saying that God is responsible for the evil that came into his life?
While Job is lamenting the evil that has befallen him, he is not necessarily saying that God is directly responsible, but rather that he is struggling to understand why God has allowed these things to happen, as seen in Job 1:21 where Job acknowledges God's sovereignty over all things.
How does this verse relate to the concept of faith and trust in God?
This verse highlights the tension between trusting in God's goodness and the reality of suffering and evil in the world, as seen in Habakkuk 3:17-19 where the prophet expresses his trust in God despite the difficulties he faces.
What can we learn from Job's experience in this verse?
We can learn that even in the midst of great disappointment and suffering, we can still trust in God's goodness and sovereignty, as seen in Romans 8:28 where it is written that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I have hoped for good but experienced evil instead, and how can I trust God in those situations?
- How can I, like Job, acknowledge the darkness and difficulties in my life while still holding on to the hope of God's light and goodness?
- In what ways can I, like Job, express my honest feelings and frustrations to God, and what can I learn from His response?
- How can I balance my desire for good things to happen in my life with the reality of suffering and evil in the world, and what role does faith and trust in God play in that balance?
Gill's Exposition on Job 30:26
When I looked for good,.... As he thought he might reasonably expect it, since he had shown such a sympathizing spirit to persons in trouble, and such pity and mercy to the poor: in the time of his
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 30:26
When I looked for good, then evil came unto me: and when I waited for light, there came darkness. I may be allowed to crave help, seeing that "when I looked for good (on account of my piety and charity), yet evil" etc.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 30:26
Instead of the return of the like pity to me, which I might justly challenge and expect whensoever I should stand in need of it, I meet with a sad disappointment, and my pity is recompensed with others’ cruelty to me.
Trapp's Commentary on Job 30:26
Job 30:26 When I looked for good, then evil came [unto me]: and when I waited for light, there came darkness.Ver. 26. When I looked for good] According to that general rule, and the common course of God’ s proceedings, "With what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again," Matthew 7:2. "With the merciful thou wilt show thyself merciful," Psalms 18:25. Middah cenegedh middah, say the Hebrews, Men shall have measure for measure, like for like. Hence Job expected to have all things at will, but it happened somewhat otherwise; and this puzzled him, he could not understand these cross occurrences. He could almost find in his heart to think that he was therefore so little pitied by others, because he had been so full of pity toward others. When I waited for light, then came darkness] Things grew every day worse and worse with me, mending like sour ale in summer, as we say. Thus it fares many times with God’ s best servants, these children of light walk in darkness, nevertheless let them trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon their God, in the fail of all outward comforts, Isaiah 50:10 Habakkuk 3:17-18. This is the triumph of faith, which tells the soul that things must go backward before they can come forward, and when matters are at worst they will mend.
Ellicott's Commentary on Job 30:26
(26) When I looked for good.—Before, in Job 3:25-26, he had spoken as one who did not wish to be the fool of prosperity, and so overtaken unawares by calamity, and who therefore looked at things on the darker side; now he speaks as one who hoped for the best, and yet, notwithstanding that hope, was disappointed and deceived.
Cambridge Bible on Job 30:26
26. This being his feeling towards those in trouble he looked that his own prosperity would continue; his afflictions were unexpected.
Barnes' Notes on Job 30:26
When I looked for good - When I supposed that respect would be shown me; or when I looked forward to an honored old age.
Sermons on Job 30:26
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Homily 33 on Matthew by St. John Chrysostom | John Chrysostom preaches on the importance of emulating the faith and endurance of biblical figures like Job, the apostles, and the three children in the fiery furnace. He emphasiz |
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Fear Thou Not; for I Am With Thee by A.B. Simpson | A.B. Simpson emphasizes that fear is a tool used by Satan to weaken our faith and hinder our blessings. He highlights how fear, rooted in falsehood, can paralyze us and lead to dis |
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The Discovery and Death of Self. by Francois Fenelon | Francois Fenelon preaches about the discovery and death of self, emphasizing the painful but necessary process of exposing and overcoming self-love in order to fully surrender to G |
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Prayer by Bob Jennings | In this sermon, the preacher begins by acknowledging the small size of their congregation in the city of Beaumont and questioning the impact they can make. They pray for God's pres |
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Hope and Comfort Usually Follow Genuine Humiliation and Repentance by Jonathan Edwards | Jonathan Edwards preaches about the process of finding hope and comfort after genuine humiliation and repentance. He explains how God brings His people into the wilderness of troub |
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The Eyes of the Lord Upon by John Gill | John Gill emphasizes that the eyes of the Lord are always watching over those whose hearts are upright towards Him, as illustrated in 2 Chronicles 16:9. He reflects on King Asa's f |
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Christian Joy by Thomas Watson | Thomas Watson preaches about the Christian joy that comes from the Holy Spirit, which is a delightful passion arising from the feeling of God's love and favor, supporting the soul |