English Standard Version
Job 3:21
21who long for death, but it comes not, and dig for it more than for hidden treasures,
Job 3:21 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Which long for death, but it cometh not; and dig for it more than for hid treasures;
- New International Version (NIV)to those who long for death that does not come, who search for it more than for hidden treasure,
- New King James Version (NKJV)Who long for death, but it does not come, And search for it more than hidden treasures;
- New Living Translation (NLT)They long for death, and it won’t come. They search for death more eagerly than for hidden treasure.
Context of Job 3:21
19The small and the great are there, and the slave is free from his master. 20"Why is light given to him who is in misery, and life to the bitter in soul, who long for death, but it comes not, and dig for it more than for hidden treasures, 22who rejoice exceedingly and are glad when they find the grave? 23Why is light given to a man whose way is hidden, whom God has hedged in?
Read all of Job 3Job 3:21 word by word
הַֽמְחַכִּ֣ים לַמָּ֣וֶת וְאֵינֶ֑נּוּ וַֽ֝יַּחְפְּרֻ֗הוּ מִמַּטְמוֹנִֽים׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Job 3:21
- Numbers 11:15If you will treat me like this, kill me at once, if I find favor in your sight, that I may not see my wretchedness."
- 1 Kings 19:4But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he asked that he might die, saying, "It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers."
- Jonah 4:3Therefore now, O Lord, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live."
- Revelation 9:6And in those days people will seek death and will not find it. They will long to die, but death will flee from them.
- Proverbs 2:4if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures,
Commentaries on Job 3:21
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 21Which 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.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 21Which long for death - Whose pain and anguish are so great that they would regard it as a privilege to die. Much as people dread death, and much as they have occasion to dread what is beyond, yet there is no doubt that this often occurs. Pain becomes so intense, and suffering is so protracted, that they would regard it as a privilege to be permitted to die. Yet that sorrow “must” be intense which prompts to this wish, and usually must be long continued…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 20-26Verses 20-26 Job was like a man who had lost his way, and had no prospect of escape, or hope of better times. But surely he was in an ill frame for death when so unwilling to live. Let it be our constant care to get ready for another world, and then leave it to God to order our removal thither as he thinks fit. Grace teaches us in the midst of life's greatest comforts, to be willing to die, and in the midst of its greatest crosses, to be willing to live…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 21People in grief desperately long for death, like those who search for hidden treasure.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 20-2620. Wherefore giveth he light--namely, God; often omitted reverentially (Job 24:23; Ec 9:9). Light, that is, life. The joyful light ill suits the mourners. The grave is most in unison with their feelings.Read the comment
Topics related to Job 3:21
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Job 3
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
Commentaries