Translations
Modern
…who long for death that does not come, and search for it like hidden treasure,
Traditional
Which long for death, but it cometh not; and dig for it more than for hid treasures;
Literal
…those waiting for death and there is none, and those digging for it more than hidden treasures,
Latin
…qui expectant mortem, et non venit, quasi effodientes thesaurum;
Original
Hebrew
English
…who long for death that does not come, and search for it like hidden treasure,
Notes
People in grief desperately long for death, like those who search for hidden treasure.
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