Job 3:20-23 KJV,ASV

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

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Job 3:22

Which rejoice exceedingly - Literally, They rejoice with joy, and exult when they find the grave. There is a various reading here in one of Kennicott's MSS., which gives a different sense. Instead of who rejoice, גיל אלי eley gil , with Joy, it has גל אלי eley gal , who rejoice at the Tomb, and exult when they find the grave. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Job 3:23

To a man whose way is hid - Who knows not what is before him in either world, but is full of fears and trembling concerning both. God hath hedged in? - Leaving him no way to escape; and not permitting him to see one step before him. There is an exact parallel to this passage in Lamentations 3:7 , Lamentations 3:9 ; : He hath hedged me about that I cannot get out. He hath inclosed my ways with hewn stone. Mr. Good translates the verse thus: To the man whose path is broken up, and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Job 3:22

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Job 3:23

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 3:1-26

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