Translations
Modern
Why is light given to the miserable, and life to the bitter of soul,
Traditional
Wherefore is light given to him that is in misery, and life unto the bitter in soul;
Literal
Why is light given to the one toiling, and life to the bitter of soul,
Latin
Quare misero data est lux, et vita his qui in amaritudine animæ sunt:
Original
Hebrew
English
Why is light given to the miserable, and life to the bitter of soul,
Notes
“Angry” (Judges 18:25).
“Fierce” (2 Samuel 17:8).
“Anguish” (Job 7:11).
Desperate (Proverbs 31:6).
“Distress” (1 Samuel 1:10; 22:2).
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 God: Job's