1 After this opened Job his mouth, and cursed his day.
2 And Job spake, and said,
3 Let the day perish wherein I was born, and the night [in which] it was said, There is a man child conceived.
4 Let that day be darkness; let not God regard it from above, neither let the light shine upon it.
5 Let darkness and the shadow of death stain it; let a cloud dwell upon it; let the blackness of the day terrify it.
6 [As for] that night, let darkness seize upon it; let it not be joined unto the days of the year, let it not come into the number of the months.
7 Lo, let that night be solitary, let no joyful voice come therein.
8 Let them curse it that curse the day, who are ready to raise up their mourning.
9 Let the stars of the twilight thereof be dark; let it look for light, but [have] none; neither let it see the dawning of the day:
10 Because it shut not up the doors of my [mother’s] womb, nor hid sorrow from mine eyes.
11 Why died I not from the womb? [why] did I [not] give up the ghost when I came out of the belly?
12 Why did the knees prevent me? or why the breasts that I should suck?
13 For now should I have lain still and been quiet, I should have slept: then had I been at rest,
14 With kings and counsellers of the earth, which built desolate places for themselves;
15 Or with princes that had gold, who filled their houses with silver:
16 Or as an hidden untimely birth I had not been; as infants [which] never saw light.
17 There the wicked cease [from] troubling; and there the weary be at rest.
18 [There] the prisoners rest together; they hear not the voice of the oppressor.
19 The small and great are there; and the servant [is] free from his master.
20 Wherefore is light given to him that is in misery, and life unto the bitter [in] soul;
21 Which long for death, but it [cometh] not; and dig for it more than for hid treasures;
22 Which rejoice exceedingly, [and] are glad, when they can find the grave?
23 [Why is light given] to a man whose way is hid, and whom God hath hedged in?
24 For my sighing cometh before I eat, and my roarings are poured out like the waters.
25 For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me.
26 I was not in safety, neither had I rest, neither was I quiet; yet trouble came.
Overview of Job Chapter 3
Job Chapter 3 marks a significant turning point in the narrative of the Book of Job. This chapter features Job’s lamentation, where he expresses profound grief and despair following the catastrophic losses he has suffered. The chapter is structured as a poetic monologue, highlighting Job’s emotional turmoil and questioning the purpose of his existence.
Key Themes
- Despair and Mourning: Job’s lamentation reveals the depths of his sorrow and his wish that he had never been born.
- The Question of Existence: Job grapples with the meaning of life and the reasons for his suffering.
- Cursing the Day of Birth: Job curses the day he was born, expressing a desire for non-existence.
- The Silence of God: Job’s cries highlight the perceived absence of divine intervention in his suffering.
Structure and Literary Devices
The chapter is primarily composed of poetic verses, which serve to amplify the emotional weight of Job’s words. The structure can be analyzed as follows:
- Opening Lament (Verses 1-10): Job curses the day of his birth, wishing it had never occurred.
- Desire for Death (Verses 11-19): Job questions why he was not stillborn or why he is not dead, expressing a longing for death as a release from suffering.
- Reflection on Suffering (Verses 20-23): Job articulates his anguish and confusion, questioning why he continues to endure pain.
- Conclusion (Verse 24-26): Job concludes with a poignant statement of his grief, emphasizing his overwhelming sorrow and sense of abandonment.
Character Analysis
Job emerges in this chapter as a deeply wounded individual, struggling with the weight of his losses. His character can be analyzed through the following lenses:
- Victim of Circumstance: Job’s misfortunes have stripped him of his wealth, health, and family, leading to a profound identity crisis.
- Philosopher of Suffering: Job’s questioning reveals a deep engagement with existential themes, making him a figure of philosophical inquiry.
- Humanity in Despair: Job’s raw emotions resonate with readers, showcasing the universal experience of grief and the search for meaning in suffering.
Theological Implications
Job Chapter 3 raises critical theological questions regarding suffering, divine justice, and the nature of God. Some implications include:
- The Problem of Evil: Job’s lament challenges the notion of a just and benevolent God in the face of undeserved suffering.
- The Silence of God: Job’s experience reflects the struggle of many believers who feel abandoned during times of crisis.
- Human Suffering: The chapter invites readers to contemplate the role of suffering in the human experience and its relationship to faith.
Conclusion
Job Chapter 3 serves as a profound exploration of despair and the human condition. Through Job’s lament, the chapter invites readers to engage with complex themes of existence, suffering, and the search for meaning in the face of overwhelming loss. It sets the stage for the subsequent dialogues and debates about suffering, justice, and divine providence that unfold in the remainder of the Book of Job.
