Bible Commentaries
Job 3

Verse 1

After this: i.e. after this long restraint.

cursed. Here we have the Hebrew kalal, which was in the primitive text. See note on Job 1:5 .

his day: i.e. his birthday. Compare Job 3:3 .

Verse 2

spake = answered, i.e. began, or lamented. Hebrew idiom. See note on Deuteronomy 1:41 .

Verse 3

and = or. He knew not which it was. Compare Judges 11:31 .

man. Hebrew. geber. App-14 .

Verse 4

darkness. Hebrew. hashak. GOD. Hebrew Eloah. See App-4 .

Verse 5

the shadow of death. Hebrew. zalmaveth = the darkness of death.

stain it = pollute it. Hebrew. ga'al, to pollute; not ga'al, to redeem.

Verse 6

darkness = intense or thick darkness. Hebrew. 'ophel. Not hashak (verses: Job 3:4 , Job 3:5 , Job 3:9 ) which is less intense.

Verse 7

Lo. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6 .

Verse 8

their mourning = a dragon. Referring probably to what the constellation signified.

Verse 9

dark. Hebrew. hashak. See Job 3:4 .

let it look. Figure of speech Prosopopoeia. App-6 .

Verse 11

Why . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 .

from = in, or within.

give up the ghost = die. Hebrew. gava', to expire. Compare Job 10:18 ; Job 13:19 ; Job 14:10 .

Verse 12

the knees [of the mother]. Figure of speech Ellipsis. App-6 .

prevent = come before, so as to meet.

Verse 14

desolate places = ruins: i.e. places (tombs or monuments) already going to ruins.

Verse 17

wicked = lawless agitators. Hebrew. rasha'. App-44 .

weary = worn out [of strength].

Verse 18

oppressor = taskmaster.

Verse 19

master = masters. Hebrew, plural for emphasis.

Verse 20

Wherefore . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 .

soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 .

Verse 21

long = wait, or look for.

Verse 22

grave = sepulchre. Hebrew. keber. See App-35 .

Verse 23

Why . . . ? Figure of speech Ellipsis. App-6 . supplies the sentence from v- 20; but it may be repeated from Job 3:22 , "the grave", regarding verses: Job 21:22 as a parenthesis.

GOD. Hebrew Eloah. App-4 .

Verse 24

I eat = my food.