God’s Word Translation
Job 3:21
21to those who long for death but it never comes— though they dig for it more than for buried treasure?
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,
- English Standard Version (ESV)who long for death, but it comes not, and dig for it more than for hidden treasures,
- New King James Version (NKJV)Who long for death, but it does not come, And search for it more than hidden treasures;
Context of Job 3:21
19There ⌞you find⌟ both the unimportant and important people. There the slave is free from his master. 20“Why give light to one in misery and life to those who find it so bitter, to those who long for death but it never comes— though they dig for it more than for buried treasure? 22They are ecstatic, delighted to find the grave. 23Why give light to those whose paths have been hidden, to those whom God has fenced 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 this is how you’re going to treat me, why don’t you just kill me? I can’t face this trouble anymore.”
- 1 Kings 19:4Then he traveled through the wilderness for a day. He sat down under a broom plant and wanted to die. “I’ve had enough now, Lord,” he said. “Take my life! I’m no better than my ancestors.”
- Jonah 4:3So now, Lord, take my life. I’d rather be dead than alive.”
- Revelation 9:6At that time people will look for death and never find it. They will long to die, but death will escape them.
- Proverbs 2:4if you search for wisdom as if it were money and hunt for it as if it were hidden treasure,
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
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
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