Translations
Modern
Why did I not perish at birth; why did I not die as I came from the womb?
Traditional
Why died I not from the womb? why did I not give up the ghost when I came out of the belly?
Literal
Why did I not die from the womb? I should have come forth from the belly and expired!
Latin
Quare non in vulva mortuus sum? egressus ex utero non statim perii?
Original
Hebrew
English
Why did I not perish at birth; why did I not die as I came from the womb?
Notes
Job's language shifts from wishing he was never born to grief. He goes from hating life towards an attraction for death. Job asks "why" seven times, as he has grief for his situation (3:11, 12, 16, 20, 23; see Psalms 10:1; 22:1; Jeremiah 20:18; Lamentations 5:20).
Job's outbreak of emotion did not mean his integrity failed under pressure (42:7–8; James 5:11). The prophets Elijah and Jeremiah, both men of God, exaggerated with similar language (1 Kings 19:4; Jeremiah 20:14–18).
Theme notes and profiles
Events
- Job's Trialc. 1650 BC
Glossary
Topics
Afflictions and Adversities: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Despondency: General Scriptures Concerning