Job 10:18-22

Death wish

18 Why did you let me emerge from the womb? I wish I had died without any eye seeing me.
19 Then I would be just as if I hadn't existed, taken from the belly to the grave.
20 Aren't my few days coming to an end? Look away from me so I can brighten up a little
21 before I go and don't return to a land of deepest darkness,
22 a land whose light is like gloom, utter darkness and confusion, such that light shines like gloom.

Job 10:18-22 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JOB 10

Job here declares the greatness of his afflictions, which made him weary of his life, and could not help complaining; entreats the Lord not to condemn him but show him the reason of his thus dealing with him, Job 10:1,2; and expostulates with him about it, and suggests as if it was severe, and not easily reconciled to his perfections, when he knew he was not a wicked man, Job 10:3-7; he puts him in mind of his formation and preservation of him, and after all destroyed him, Job 10:8-12; and represents his case as very distressed; whether he was wicked or righteous it mattered not, his afflictions were increasing upon him, Job 10:13-17; and all this he observes, in order to justify his eager desire after death, which he renews, Job 10:18,19; and entreats, since his days he had to live were but few, that God would give him some respite before he went into another state, which he describes, Job 10:20-22.

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