Job 3 21

Job 3:21 kjv

Which long for death, but it cometh not; and dig for it more than for hid treasures;

Job 3:21 nkjv

Who long for death, but it does not come, And search for it more than hidden treasures;

Job 3:21 niv

to those who long for death that does not come, who search for it more than for hidden treasure,

Job 3:21 esv

who long for death, but it comes not, and dig for it more than for hidden treasures,

Job 3:21 nlt

They long for death, and it won't come.
They search for death more eagerly than for hidden treasure.

Job 3 verses

Job 3 21 Meaning

Job 3:21 vividly describes the intense yearning of individuals in extreme distress for the release of death. This desire is so profound that they actively pursue death with a fervor exceeding the common human drive to unearth and acquire valuable hidden treasures. It portrays a state of profound anguish where existing becomes an intolerable burden, making the cessation of life appear as the most coveted form of relief.

Job 3 21 Context

Job 3:21 is situated within Job's bitter lament, uttered after seven days of silent agony and grieving with his friends. This chapter marks the dramatic beginning of his direct verbal expression of suffering, immediately following his cursing of the day of his birth. Prior to this verse, Job expresses wishes that he had never been born or had perished at birth, viewing the grave as a place of peaceful rest where the wicked no longer torment and the weary find repose. Verse 21 intensifies this desire, showing an active, fervent pursuit of death, which Job sees as a longed-for escape. Historically, ancient Near Eastern wisdom traditions often presented a straightforward link between righteousness and prosperity, and sin with suffering. Job's unprecedented anguish, as a righteous man, profoundly challenges these conventional beliefs, setting the stage for a deep theological debate.

Job 3 21 Word analysis

• Who long for (יְחַכּוּ - yeḥakkû): Derived from the Hebrew root חָכָה (chakáh), meaning "to wait, hope, expect." The verbal form here suggests an intense, active waiting, bordering on fervent expectation for something greatly desired, even when that "something" is death.
• death (מָוֶת - mâvet): A direct term for the end of physical life. In this context, it is not dreaded but embraced as the ultimate release.
• but it comes not: This highlights the profound irony and added torment. The very cessation that is desperately desired is withheld, prolonging the unbearable suffering and control over the timing of one's death, emphasizing the absence of human agency in it.
• and search for it (וְיַחְפְּרֻהוּ - weyaḥperūhû): From the root חָפַר (chāpar), which means "to dig, explore, search out, investigate thoroughly." This signifies an active, painstaking, and laborious effort, similar to a miner's intense work. The object, 'it' (death), is pursued with the utmost diligence.
• more than for hidden treasures (מַטְמוֹנִים - maṭmônîm): Maṭmôn refers to hidden wealth, buried for security in ancient times, the discovery of which represented immense good fortune. This powerful metaphor functions as a superlative. It illustrates that for these sufferers, death is desired more intensely than the most valuable worldly possessions or fortunes.
• "Who long for death, but it comes not": This phrase encapsulates the core of Job's unbearable paradox. He actively yearns for the absolute end of his suffering through death, yet death is withheld. It portrays a deep agony that has twisted the natural human instinct for survival.
• "and search for it more than for hidden treasures": This phrase provides a stark, counter-intuitive comparison. It measures the extreme intensity of the desire for death against one of the most powerful, universal human desires: the pursuit of wealth and material security. It profoundly emphasizes how suffering can warp one's perception of value and hope.

Job 3 21 Bonus section

• The Inversion of Values: The verse masterfully presents an inversion of fundamental human values. Life, which is typically preserved at all costs, becomes an enemy, while death, universally dreaded, is coveted. Worldly treasure, the symbol of aspiration, pales in comparison to the "treasure" of oblivion.
• Divine Sovereignty in Suffering: Despite Job's intense desire, death does not come. This implicitly underscores God's ultimate sovereignty over the very breath of life and the timing of death. Even in such profound despair, human will cannot override divine purpose.
• Beyond Suicide: This lament should not be simplistically equated with modern concepts of suicide. It's an expression of utter brokenness and the perception of life as a greater pain than death, arising from a theological understanding that one's existence is solely at God's discretion.
• Poetic Hyperbole: While deeply earnest, the language uses poetic hyperbole to convey the extraordinary degree of Job's torment, magnifying his despair for profound dramatic and theological effect.

Job 3 21 Commentary

Job 3:21 paints a visceral picture of extreme suffering that warps natural human desires. It reveals a spiritual and psychological abyss where non-existence is valued above life itself, and cessation of pain is sought with a zeal surpassing the lust for wealth. This is not mere passive longing, but an active pursuit of oblivion, emphasizing the incomprehensible depth of Job's affliction and similar human plights. It highlights a critical biblical truth: the ultimate control over life and death rests solely with God, for death "comes not" at the sufferer's desperate behest. This verse also serves as a potent reminder of the severe test of faith endured by the righteous when confronted with suffering beyond human comprehension or resolution, where even the perceived finality of death is denied as an immediate escape.