Job 3:14-24

14 with kings councillors of the earth, who gloried in swords;

15 or with rulers, whose gold was abundant, who filled their houses with silver:

16 or as an untimely birth proceeding from his mother's womb, or as infants who never saw light.

17 There the ungodly have burnt out the fury of rage; there the wearied in body rest.

18 And the men of old time have together ceased to hear the exactor's voice.

19 The small and great are there, and the servant that feared his lord.

20 For why is light given to those who are in bitterness, and life to those souls which are in griefs?

21 who desire death, and obtain it not, digging as treasures;

22 and would be very joyful if they should gain it?

23 Death rest to a man, for God has hedged him in.

24 For my groaning comes before my food, and I weep being beset with terror.

Job 3:14-24 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JOB 3

In this chapter we have an account of Job's cursing the day of his birth, and the night of his conception; Job 3:1-3; first the day, to which he wishes the most extreme darkness, Job 3:4,5; then the night, to which he wishes the same and that it might be destitute of all joy, and be cursed by others as well as by himself, Job 3:6-9; The reasons follow, because it did not prevent his coming into the world, and because he died not on it, Job 3:10-12; which would, as he judged, have been an happiness to him; and this he illustrates by the still and quiet state of the dead, the company they are with, and their freedom from all trouble, oppression, and bondage, Job 3:13-19; but however, since it was otherwise with him, he desires his life might not be prolonged, and expostulates about the continuance of it, Job 3:20-23; and this by reason of his present troubles, which were many and great, and came upon him as he feared they would, and which had made him uneasy in his prosperity, Job 3:24-26.