Job 3:20-26

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Job 3:20-26

Job, finding it to no purpose to wish either that he had not been born or had died as soon as he was born, here complains that his life was now continued and not cut off. When men are set on quarrelling there is no end of it; the corrupt heart will carry on the humour. Having cursed the day of his birth, here he courts the day of his death. The beginning of this strife and impatience is as the letting forth of water. I. He thinks it hard, in general, that miserable lives should be prolonged... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 3:20

Wherefore is light given to him that is in misery ,.... That labours under various calamities and afflictions, as Job did, being stripped of his substance, deprived of his children, and now in great pain of body and distress of mind; who, since he died not so soon as he wished he had, expostulates why his life is protracted; for that is what he means by light, as appears from the following clause, even the light of the living, or the light of the world; which though sweet and pleasant to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 3:21

Which long for death, but it cometh not ,.... Who earnestly desire, wistly look out, wish for, and expect it, and with open mouth gape for it, as a hungry man for his food, or as the fish for the bait, or the fishermen for the fish, as some F1 So Junius & Tremellius, Piscator. vid. Schultens in loc. observe the word may signify; but it comes not to their wish and expectation, or so soon as they would have it; the reason is, because the fixed time for it is not come, otherwise it... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 3:22

Which rejoice exceedingly ,.... Or, "which joy till they do skip again", as Mr. Broughton renders it, and to the same purport others F4 השמחים אלי גיל "qu laetantur ad choream usque", Schultens, "quasi ad tripudium", Michaelis. ; are so elated as to skip and dance for joy: and are glad when they can find the grave ; which is to be understood either of those who dig in the earth for hid treasure, such as is laid there by men; when they strike and hit upon a grave where they... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 3:23

Why is light given to a man whose way is hid ,.... Some of the Jewish writers connect this with Job 3:22 , thus; "who rejoice and are glad when they find a grave for a man", &c.; but it should be observed that such are said to rejoice at finding a grave, not for others, but for themselves; the words stand in better connection with Job 3:20 , from whence the supplement is taken in our version and others; and so it is a continuation or repetition of the expostulation why light and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 3:24

For my sighing cometh before I eat ,.... Or, "before my bread", or "food" F7 לפני לחמי "ante cibum meum", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator; "ante panem meum", Cocceius, Schmidt, Michaelis. ; before he sat down to eat, or had tasted of his food, there were nothing but sighing and sobbing, so that he had no appetite for his food, and could take no delight in it; and, while he was eating, his tears mingled with it, so that these were his meat and his drink continually, and he was fed... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 3:25

For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me ,.... Some refer this to his fears about his children, lest they should sin and offend God, and bring down his judgments on them, and now what he feared was come to pass, Job 1:5 ; others take in all his sorrows and troubles; which, through the changeableness of the world, and the uncertainty of all things in it, and the various providences of God, he feared would come upon him at one time or another; and this he mentions to justify his... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 3:26

I was not in safety ,.... This cannot refer to the time of his prosperity; for he certainly then was in safety, God having set an hedge about him, so that none of his enemies, nor even Satan himself, could come at him to hurt him: neither had I rest, neither was I quiet ; which also was not true of him before his afflictions, for he did then enjoy great peace, rest, and quietness; he lay in his nest at ease, and in great tranquillity; and thought and said he should die in such a state,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Job 3:20

Wherefore is light given - Why is life granted to him who is incapable of enjoying it, or of performing its functions? read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Job 3:21

Which long for death - They look to it as the end of all their miseries; and long more for a separation from life, than those who love gold do for a rich mine. read more

Group of Brands