Job 3:21
They long/want to die, but they do not die. They desire to die more than people desire to find a hidden treasure.
Translation for Translators
In The King James Version
Which long for death, but it cometh not; and dig for it more than for hid treasures;
In Context
22When they finally die and are buried, they are very happy.
Cross References
1 Kings 19:4Then he went by himself further south into the desert. He walked all day. He sat down under a broom tree and prayed that Yahweh would allow him to die. He said, “Yahweh, I’ve had enough. So allow me to die, because for me to live is no better than being with my ancestors who have died.”
Job 6:9I wish that he would crush me and let me die. I wish that he would reach out his hand and take away my life.
Job 11:20But wicked people [SYN] will not be able to understand why bad things are happening to them; they will not have any way to escape from their troubles. The only thing that they will want to do is to die. [EUP]”
Ecclesiastes 4:2So I thought that those who are already dead are more fortunate than those who are still alive.
Jonah 4:8Then, when the sun rose high in the sky, God sent a very hot wind from the east, and the sun shone very strongly on Jonah’s head, with the result that he felt faint. He wanted to die, and he said, “It would be better for me to die than to continue to live!”
Matthew Henry on Job 3:21-26
20 Wherefore is light given to him that is in misery, and life unto the bitter in soul; 21 Which long for death, but it cometh not; and dig for it more than for hid treasures; 22 Which rejoice exceedingly, and are glad, when they can find the grave? 23 Why is light given to a man whose way is hid, and whom God hath hedged in? 24 For my sighing cometh before I eat, and my roarings are poured out like the waters. 25 For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me.… Read the whole commentary →