Job 3:21

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

19Small and great are there, and the slave is free from his master. 20“Why does God give light to one who is in misery, and life to those whose soul is bitter, to those who wait for death that does not come, and search for it more than for hidden treasures, 22who rejoice even to jubilation, and are exultant when they find the grave? 23Why is light given to a man whose way is hidden, and whom God has hedged in?

Job 3:21 word by word

הַֽמְחַכִּ֣ים לַמָּ֣וֶת וְאֵינֶ֑נּוּ וַֽ֝יַּחְפְּרֻ֗הוּ מִמַּטְמוֹנִֽים׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Which longחָכָהchâkâh · to waitH2442
• for deathמָ֫וֶתmâveth · deathH4194
• not; and digחָפַרchâphar · to searchH2658
• for it more than for hid treasuresמַטְמוֹןmaţmôn maţmôn maţmûn · treasureH4301

Cross-references for Job 3:21

• Numbers 11:15But if you are going to deal with me like this, then kill me immediately. If I have found favor in your sight then do not let me see my trouble.”
• 1 Kings 19:4while he went a day’s journey into the desert. He went and sat down under a shrub and asked the Lord to take his life: “I’ve had enough! Now, O Lord, take my life. After all, I’m no better than my ancestors.”
• Jonah 4:3So now, Lord, kill me instead, because I would rather die than live!”
• Revelation 9:6In those days people will seek death, but will not be able to 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 like 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

• Afflictions and Adversities
• Despondency

In the dictionaries

• Above
• Dig
• Roaring
• Safety
• Solitary
• Job, Book of
• Sheol
• Treasure; Treasurer; Treasury

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