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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Job 3:5 May darkness and gloom reclaim it, and a cloud settle over it; may the blackness of the day overwhelm it.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/job/3-5.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/5/18_Job_03_05.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Job 3:5 - Job Laments His Birth" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="May darkness and gloom reclaim it, and a cloud settle over it; may the blackness of the day overwhelm it." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/job/3-5.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/job/3-5.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/job/">Job</a> > <a href="/job/3.htm">Chapter 3</a> > Verse 5</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad5.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/job/3-4.htm" title="Job 3:4">◄</a> Job 3:5 <a href="/job/3-6.htm" title="Job 3:6">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/job/3.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/job/3.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />May gloom and utter darkness claim it once more; may a cloud settle over it; may blackness overwhelm it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/job/3.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Let the darkness and utter gloom claim that day for its own. Let a black cloud overshadow it, and let the darkness terrify it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/job/3.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Let gloom and deep darkness claim it. Let clouds dwell upon it; let the blackness of the day terrify it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/job/3.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />May darkness and gloom reclaim it, and a cloud settle over it; may the blackness of the day overwhelm it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/job/3.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Let darkness and the shadow of death stain it; let a cloud dwell upon it; let the blackness of the day terrify it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/job/3.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />May darkness and the shadow of death claim it; May a cloud settle on it; May the blackness of the day terrify it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/job/3.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“May darkness and black gloom claim it; May a cloud settle on it; May the blackness of the day terrify it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/job/3.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Let darkness and black gloom claim it; Let a cloud settle on it; Let the blackness of the day terrify it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/job/3.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Let darkness and black gloom claim it; Let a cloud settle on it; Let the blackness of the day terrify it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/job/3.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Let darkness and shadow of death redeem it; Let a cloud dwell upon it; Let the blackness of the day terrify it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/job/3.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“Let darkness and gloom claim it for their own; Let a cloud settle upon it; Let all that blackens the day terrify it (the day that I was born).<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/job/3.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />May darkness and gloom reclaim it, and a cloud settle over it. May what darkens the day terrify it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/job/3.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />May darkness and gloom reclaim it, and a cloud settle over it. May an eclipse of the sun terrify it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/job/3.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Let darkness and the shadow of death claim it for their own; Let a cloud dwell upon it; Let all that maketh black the day terrify it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/job/3.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />and send thick, gloomy shadows to fill it with dread. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/job/3.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Let darkness and the shadow of death claim it for their own; let a cloud dwell upon it; let all that maketh black the day terrify it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/job/3.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Let the darkness and long shadows claim it as their own. Let a dark cloud hang over it. Let the gloom terrify it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/job/3.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Make it a day of gloom and thick darkness; cover it with clouds, and blot out the sun. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/job/3.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Let darkness and deep gloom reclaim it; let clouds settle down on it; let blackness in mid-day terrify it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/job/3.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />May darkness and gloom reclaim it, and a cloud settle over it; may the blackness of the day overwhelm it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/job/3.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Let darkness and the deepest shadow claim it; let a cloud settle on it; let whatever blackens the day terrify it! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/job/3.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Let darkness and the shadow of death claim it for their own. Let a cloud dwell on it. Let the blackness of the day terrify it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/job/3.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Let darkness and the shades of death stain it; let a cloud dwell upon it; let the blackness of the day terrify it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/job/3.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Let darkness and the shadow of death claim it for their own. Let a cloud dwell on it. Let all that makes the day black terrify it. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/job/3.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Let darkness and death-shade redeem it, "" Let a cloud dwell on it, "" Let them terrify it as the most bitter of days.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/job/3.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Let darkness and death-shade redeem it, Let a cloud tabernacle upon it, Let them terrify it as the most bitter of days.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/job/3.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Darkness shall pollute it, and the shadow of death; a cloud shall dwell upon it; the obscurations of day shall terrify it.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/job/3.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Let darkness, and the shadow of death cover it, let a mist overspread it, and let it be wrapped up in bitterness. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/job/3.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Let darkness and the shadow of death obscure it, let a fog overtake it, and let it be enveloped in bitterness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/job/3.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />May darkness and gloom claim it, clouds settle upon it, blackness of day affright it! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/job/3.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Let gloom and deep darkness claim it. Let clouds settle upon it; let the blackness of the day terrify it.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/job/3.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Let the darkness and the shadow of death cover it; let a cloud overshadow it; let those whose days are bitter be terrified by it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/job/3.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Let darkness and the shadow of death cover it. Let a cloud sink upon it and let the bitterness of the day terrify it<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/job/3.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Let darkness and the shadow of death claim it for their own; Let a cloud dwell upon it; Let all that maketh black the day terrify it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/job/3.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />But let darkness and the shadow of death seize it; let blackness come upon it;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/job/3-5.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XAwuD5NuZq0?start=397" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/job/3.htm">Job Laments His Birth</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">4</span>If only that day had turned to darkness! May God above disregard it; may no light shine upon it. <span class="reftext">5</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/2822.htm" title="2822: ḥō·šeḵ (N-ms) -- From chashak; the dark; hence darkness; figuratively, misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness.">May darkness</a> <a href="/hebrew/6757.htm" title="6757: wə·ṣal·mā·weṯ (Conj-w:: N-ms) -- Death-like shadow, deep shadow. From tsel and maveth; shade of death, i.e. The grave.">and gloom</a> <a href="/hebrew/1350.htm" title="1350: yiḡ·’ā·lu·hū (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp:: 3ms) -- To redeem, act as kinsman. A primitive root, to redeem, i.e. To be the next of kin.">reclaim it,</a> <a href="/hebrew/6053.htm" title="6053: ‘ă·nā·nāh (N-fs) -- A cloud. Feminine of anan; cloudiness.">and a cloud</a> <a href="/hebrew/7931.htm" title="7931: tiš·kān- (V-Qal-Imperf-3fs) -- A primitive root (by transmission) to shakab through the idea of lodging; compare cikluwth, shakam); to reside or permanently stay.">settle</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘ā·lāw (Prep:: 3ms) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">over it;</a> <a href="/hebrew/3650.htm" title="3650: kim·rî·rê (N-mpc) -- Darkness, gloominess. Redupl. From kamar; obscuration (only in plural).">may the blackness</a> <a href="/hebrew/3117.htm" title="3117: yō·wm (N-ms) -- Day. From an unused root meaning to be hot; a day, whether literal, or figurative.">of the day</a> <a href="/hebrew/1204.htm" title="1204: yə·ḇa·‘ă·ṯu·hū (V-Piel-Imperf-3mp:: 3ms) -- To fall upon, startle, terrify. A primitive root; to fear.">overwhelm it.</a> </span><span class="reftext">6</span>If only darkness had taken that night away! May it not appear among the days of the year; may it never be entered in any of the months.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/8-22.htm">Isaiah 8:22</a></span><br />Then they will look to the earth and see only distress and darkness and the gloom of anguish. And they will be driven into utter darkness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/13-16.htm">Jeremiah 13:16</a></span><br />Give glory to the LORD your God before He brings darkness, before your feet stumble on the dusky mountains. You wait for light, but He turns it into deep gloom and thick darkness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/amos/5-18.htm">Amos 5:18</a></span><br />Woe to you who long for the Day of the LORD! What will the Day of the LORD be for you? It will be darkness and not light.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/8-12.htm">Matthew 8:12</a></span><br />But the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/22-13.htm">Matthew 22:13</a></span><br />Then the king told the servants, ‘Tie him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/25-30.htm">Matthew 25:30</a></span><br />And throw that worthless servant into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/16-24.htm">Luke 16:24</a></span><br />So he cried out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. For I am in agony in this fire.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/12-35.htm">John 12:35</a></span><br />Then Jesus told them, “For a little while longer, the Light will be among you. Walk while you have the Light, so that darkness will not overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_peter/2-17.htm">2 Peter 2:17</a></span><br />These men are springs without water and mists driven by a storm. Blackest darkness is reserved for them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jude/1-13.htm">Jude 1:13</a></span><br />They are wild waves of the sea, foaming up their own shame; wandering stars, for whom blackest darkness has been reserved forever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/16-10.htm">Revelation 16:10</a></span><br />And the fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and its kingdom was plunged into darkness, and men began to gnaw their tongues in anguish<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/88-6.htm">Psalm 88:6</a></span><br />You have laid me in the lowest Pit, in the darkest of the depths.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/107-10.htm">Psalm 107:10</a></span><br />Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, prisoners in affliction and chains,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/50-10.htm">Isaiah 50:10</a></span><br />Who among you fears the LORD and obeys the voice of His Servant? Who among you walks in darkness and has no light? Let him trust in the name of the LORD; let him lean on his God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/lamentations/3-6.htm">Lamentations 3:6</a></span><br />He has made me dwell in darkness like those dead for ages.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Let darkness and the shadow of death stain it; let a cloud dwell on it; let the blackness of the day terrify it.</p><p class="hdg">the shadow.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/10-21.htm">Job 10:21,22</a></b></br> Before I go <i>whence</i> I shall not return, <i>even</i> to the land of darkness and the shadow of death; … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/16-16.htm">Job 16:16</a></b></br> My face is foul with weeping, and on my eyelids <i>is</i> the shadow of death;</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/24-17.htm">Job 24:17</a></b></br> For the morning <i>is</i> to them even as the shadow of death: if <i>one</i> know <i>them, they are in</i> the terrors of the shadow of death.</p><p class="hdg">stain it.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/4-11.htm">Deuteronomy 4:11</a></b></br> And ye came near and stood under the mountain; and the mountain burned with fire unto the midst of heaven, with darkness, clouds, and thick darkness.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/30-3.htm">Ezekiel 30:3</a></b></br> For the day <i>is</i> near, even the day of the LORD <i>is</i> near, a cloudy day; it shall be the time of the heathen.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/34-12.htm">Ezekiel 34:12</a></b></br> As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep <i>that are</i> scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day.</p><p class="hdg">let the blackness.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/4-28.htm">Jeremiah 4:28</a></b></br> For this shall the earth mourn, and the heavens above be black: because I have spoken <i>it</i>, I have purposed <i>it</i>, and will not repent, neither will I turn back from it.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/amos/8-10.htm">Amos 8:10</a></b></br> And I will turn your feasts into mourning, and all your songs into lamentation; and I will bring up sackcloth upon all loins, and baldness upon every head; and I will make it as the mourning of an only <i>son</i>, and the end thereof as a bitter day.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/esther/1-6.htm">Black</a> <a href="/jude/1-13.htm">Blackness</a> <a href="/nehemiah/2-20.htm">Claim</a> <a href="/nehemiah/9-19.htm">Cloud</a> <a href="/1_kings/18-45.htm">Clouds</a> <a href="/esther/7-8.htm">Covered</a> <a href="/job/3-4.htm">Dark</a> <a href="/job/3-4.htm">Darkness</a> <a href="/esther/9-15.htm">Death</a> <a href="/luke/1-79.htm">Death-Shade</a> <a href="/nehemiah/9-11.htm">Deep</a> <a href="/esther/9-19.htm">Dwell</a> <a href="/job/1-9.htm">Fear</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/4-11.htm">Gloom</a> <a href="/job/3-4.htm">Light</a> <a href="/ezra/6-11.htm">Makes</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/35-1.htm">Maketh</a> <a href="/job/3-3.htm">Night</a> <a href="/esther/5-5.htm">Once</a> <a href="/2_thessalonians/2-8.htm">Overwhelm</a> <a href="/nehemiah/5-5.htm">Redeem</a> <a href="/nehemiah/13-27.htm">Settle</a> <a href="/luke/1-79.htm">Shades</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/29-15.htm">Shadow</a> <a href="/1_timothy/6-14.htm">Stain</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/32-18.htm">Terrify</a> <a href="/job/2-1.htm">Themselves</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/job/6-16.htm">Black</a> <a href="/proverbs/7-9.htm">Blackness</a> <a href="/job/31-13.htm">Claim</a> <a href="/job/7-9.htm">Cloud</a> <a href="/job/20-6.htm">Clouds</a> <a href="/job/7-5.htm">Covered</a> <a href="/job/3-6.htm">Dark</a> <a href="/job/3-6.htm">Darkness</a> <a href="/job/3-11.htm">Death</a> <a href="/job/10-21.htm">Death-Shade</a> <a href="/job/4-13.htm">Deep</a> <a href="/job/4-19.htm">Dwell</a> <a href="/job/3-25.htm">Fear</a> <a href="/job/10-21.htm">Gloom</a> <a href="/job/3-9.htm">Light</a> <a href="/job/5-12.htm">Makes</a> <a href="/job/5-18.htm">Maketh</a> <a href="/job/3-6.htm">Night</a> <a href="/job/9-3.htm">Once</a> <a href="/job/6-27.htm">Overwhelm</a> <a href="/job/5-20.htm">Redeem</a> <a href="/psalms/65-10.htm">Settle</a> <a href="/job/7-2.htm">Shades</a> <a href="/job/7-2.htm">Shadow</a> <a href="/isaiah/23-9.htm">Stain</a> <a href="/job/7-14.htm">Terrify</a> <a href="/job/3-14.htm">Themselves</a><div class="vheading2">Job 3</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/3-1.htm">Job curses the day and services of his birth.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/3-13.htm">The ease of death.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">20. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/3-20.htm">He complains of life, because of his anguish.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/job/3.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/job/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/job/3.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>May darkness and gloom reclaim it</b><br>In this phrase, Job is expressing a deep desire for the day of his birth to be shrouded in darkness and obscurity. This reflects his profound despair and wish that his existence had never begun. The use of "darkness and gloom" is symbolic of chaos and disorder, reminiscent of the pre-creation state described in <a href="/genesis/1-2.htm">Genesis 1:2</a>, where "darkness was over the surface of the deep." Job's lamentation is a reversal of creation, longing for a return to nothingness. This imagery is also echoed in other biblical texts, such as <a href="/jeremiah/20-14.htm">Jeremiah 20:14-18</a>, where Jeremiah curses the day of his birth, highlighting a common biblical motif of lamentation in times of extreme distress.<p><b>and a cloud settle over it</b><br>The imagery of a cloud settling over the day signifies obscurity and divine judgment. In the ancient Near Eastern context, clouds often represented the presence of God, as seen in <a href="/exodus/19-9.htm">Exodus 19:9</a>, where God descends on Mount Sinai in a cloud. However, in Job's lament, the cloud is not a symbol of divine presence but rather of concealment and curse. This reflects Job's perception of his situation as being under divine disfavor. The cloud also suggests a barrier between Job and the light of understanding or hope, emphasizing his feeling of isolation and abandonment.<p><b>may the blackness of the day overwhelm it</b><br>The "blackness of the day" is a powerful metaphor for total despair and the absence of joy or purpose. In biblical literature, darkness often symbolizes evil, judgment, or death, as seen in <a href="/amos/5-18.htm">Amos 5:18-20</a>, where the "day of the LORD" is described as darkness, not light. Job's use of this imagery underscores his wish for his birth to be enveloped in the same darkness that he feels in his soul. This phrase can also be seen as a foreshadowing of the ultimate darkness that Christ would endure on the cross, as described in <a href="/matthew/27-45.htm">Matthew 27:45</a>, where darkness fell over the land during the crucifixion, symbolizing the weight of sin and separation from God.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/job.htm">Job</a></b><br>A man described as blameless and upright, who feared God and shunned evil. He is the central figure in the Book of Job, experiencing profound suffering and questioning the reasons behind it.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/d/darkness_and_gloom.htm">Darkness and Gloom</a></b><br>Symbolic elements representing despair, confusion, and the absence of divine presence or blessing. In this context, they are invoked by Job as he curses the day of his birth.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/c/cloud.htm">Cloud</a></b><br>Often used in biblical literature to signify obscurity or divine judgment. Here, it represents Job's desire for his birth to be shrouded in forgetfulness and insignificance.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/b/blackness_of_the_day.htm">Blackness of the Day</a></b><br>A metaphor for total despair and hopelessness, indicating Job's deep anguish and desire for his birth to be erased from memory.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_suffering.htm">Understanding Suffering</a></b><br>Job's lamentation teaches us that expressing deep sorrow and questioning in times of suffering is a part of the human experience. It is important to bring our honest emotions before God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_darkness.htm">The Role of Darkness</a></b><br>In Scripture, darkness often symbolizes separation from God. However, it can also be a place where God works unseen, preparing for a new creation or revelation.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/hope_in_despair.htm">Hope in Despair</a></b><br>While Job's words are filled with despair, the broader account of Job encourages believers to hold onto faith, trusting that God is sovereign even when His purposes are not immediately clear.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/community_support.htm">Community Support</a></b><br>Job's account underscores the importance of having a supportive community during times of suffering. Believers are called to be present and compassionate, offering comfort rather than judgment.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_words.htm">The Power of Words</a></b><br>Job's curse on his birth day reminds us of the power of words to express deep emotions. It challenges us to be mindful of our words, using them to seek understanding and healing.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_job_3.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Job 3</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_defines_christian_goth_culture.htm">What defines Christian Goth culture?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_job_5_3_show_a_fool's_brief_rise.htm">In Job 5:3, how could a fool suddenly flourish only to be cursed, and does this reflect any historical or archeological anomaly?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_job_3's_despair_contradict_james_5_11.htm">Does the despair expressed in Job 3 contradict later biblical accounts (e.g., James 5:11) that describe Job as patient and steadfast?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_is_the_new_man_in_the_story.htm">What are the torments of Sheol?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/job/3.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(5) <span class= "bld">Stain.</span>--Literally, <span class= "ital">redeem</span>--<span class= "ital">i.e., </span>claim as their rightful inheritance. The other meaning enters into this word, as in <a href="/isaiah/63-3.htm" title="I have trodden the wine press alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in my anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled on my garments, and I will stain all my raiment.">Isaiah 63:3</a>; <a href="/malachi/1-7.htm" title="You offer polluted bread on my altar; and you say, Wherein have we polluted you? In that you say, The table of the LORD is contemptible.">Malachi 1:7</a>.<p><span class= "bld">Blackness of the day</span>--<span class= "ital">i.e., </span>preternatural darkness, inopportune and unexpected darkness, like that of eclipses, &c.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/job/3.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 5.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Let darkness and the shadow of death</span>. "The shadow of death" (<span class="hebrew">צלמות</span>) is a favourite expression in the Book of Job, where it occurs no fewer than nine times. Elsewhere it is rare, except in the Psalms, where it occurs four times. It is thought to be an archaic word. <span class="cmt_word">Stain it</span>; rather, <span class="accented">claim it</span>, or <span class="accented">claim it for their own</span> (<span class="accented">Revised</span> Version). <span class="cmt_word">Let a cloud dwell upon it; let the blackness of the day terrify it</span>. The hot, stifling "blackness" of the khamsin wind is probably meant, which suddenly turns the day into night, spreading all around a thick lurid darkness. When such a wind arises, we are told, "The sky instantly becomes black and heavy; the sun loses its splendour, and appears of a dim violet hue; a light, warm breeze is felt, which gradually increases in heat till it almost equals that of an oven. Though no vapour darkens the air, it becomes so grey and thick with the floating clouds of impalpable sand, that it is sometimes necessary to use candles at noonday" (Russell, 'Ancient and Modern Egypt,' p. 55). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/job/3-5.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">May darkness</span><br /><span class="heb">חֹ֣שֶׁךְ</span> <span class="translit">(ḥō·šeḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2822.htm">Strong's 2822: </a> </span><span class="str2">The dark, darkness, misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and gloom</span><br /><span class="heb">וְ֭צַלְמָוֶת</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ṣal·mā·weṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6757.htm">Strong's 6757: </a> </span><span class="str2">Death-like shadow, deep shadow</span><br /><br /><span class="word">reclaim it,</span><br /><span class="heb">יִגְאָלֻ֡הוּ</span> <span class="translit">(yiḡ·’ā·lu·hū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1350.htm">Strong's 1350: </a> </span><span class="str2">To redeem, act as kinsman</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and a cloud</span><br /><span class="heb">עֲנָנָ֑ה</span> <span class="translit">(‘ă·nā·nāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6053.htm">Strong's 6053: </a> </span><span class="str2">Cloudiness</span><br /><br /><span class="word">settle</span><br /><span class="heb">תִּשְׁכָּן־</span> <span class="translit">(tiš·kān-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7931.htm">Strong's 7931: </a> </span><span class="str2">To settle down, abide, dwell</span><br /><br /><span class="word">over it;</span><br /><span class="heb">עָלָ֣יו</span> <span class="translit">(‘ā·lāw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><br /><span class="word">may the blackness</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּֽמְרִ֥ירֵי</span> <span class="translit">(kim·rî·rê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3650.htm">Strong's 3650: </a> </span><span class="str2">Darkness, gloominess</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the day</span><br /><span class="heb">יֽוֹם׃</span> <span class="translit">(yō·wm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3117.htm">Strong's 3117: </a> </span><span class="str2">A day</span><br /><br /><span class="word">overwhelm it.</span><br /><span class="heb">יְ֝בַעֲתֻ֗הוּ</span> <span class="translit">(yə·ḇa·‘ă·ṯu·hū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine plural | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1204.htm">Strong's 1204: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall upon, startle, terrify</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/job/3-5.htm">Job 3:5 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/job/3-5.htm">Job 3:5 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/job/3-5.htm">Job 3:5 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/job/3-5.htm">Job 3:5 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/job/3-5.htm">Job 3:5 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/job/3-5.htm">Job 3:5 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/job/3-5.htm">Job 3:5 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/job/3-5.htm">Job 3:5 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/job/3-5.htm">Job 3:5 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/job/3-5.htm">Job 3:5 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/job/3-5.htm">OT Poetry: Job 3:5 Let darkness and the shadow of death (Jb) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/job/3-4.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Job 3:4"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Job 3:4" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/job/3-6.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Job 3:6"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Job 3:6" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>