Job 3:19-25

19 Everyone is there, the famous and the unknown, and slaves at last are free.
20 Why let people go on living in misery? Why give light to those in grief?
21 They wait for death, but it never comes; 1 they prefer a grave to any treasure.
22 They are not happy till they are dead and buried;
23 God keeps their future hidden and hems them in on every side.
24 Instead of eating, I mourn, and I can never stop groaning.
25 Everything I fear and dread comes true.

Job 3:19-25 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.

Cross References 1

  • 1. 3.21Revelation 9.6.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.