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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 3:21 who long for death that does not come, and search for it like hidden treasure,</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/job/3-21.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/2/18_Job_03_21.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Job 3:21 - Job Laments His Birth" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="who long for death that does not come, and search for it like hidden treasure," /><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/3-21.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/3-21.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 21</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="/ad1.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/3-20.htm" title="Job 3:20">◄</a> Job 3:21 <a href="/job/3-22.htm" title="Job 3:22">►</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 />to those who long for death that does not come, who search for it more than for hidden treasure,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/job/3.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />They long for death, and it won’t come. They search for death more eagerly than for hidden treasure.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/job/3.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />who long for death, but it comes not, and dig for it more than for hidden treasures,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/job/3.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />who long for death that does not come, and search for it like hidden treasure,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/job/3.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Which long for death, but it <i>cometh</i> not; and dig for it more than for hid treasures;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/job/3.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Who long for death, but it does not <i>come,</i> And search for it more than hidden treasures;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/job/3.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Who long for death, but there is none, And dig for it more than for hidden treasures;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/job/3.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Who long for death, but there is none, And dig for it more than for hidden treasures,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/job/3.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Who long for death, but there is none, And dig for it more than for hidden treasures;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/job/3.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Who long for death, but there is none, And dig for it more than for hidden treasures,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/job/3.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Who wait for death, but it does not come, And dig (search) for death more [diligently] than for hidden treasures,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/job/3.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />who wait for death, but it does not come, and search for it more than for hidden treasure,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/job/3.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />who wait for death, but it does not come, and search for it more than for hidden treasure, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/job/3.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Who long for death, but it cometh not, And dig for it more than for hid treasures;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/job/3.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />I keep longing for death more than I would seek a valuable treasure. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/job/3.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Which long for death, but it cometh not; and dig for it more than for hid treasures;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/job/3.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />to those who long for death but it never comes- though they dig for it more than for buried treasure?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/job/3.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />They wait for death, but it never comes; they prefer a grave to any treasure. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/job/3.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />To those who are longing for death— even though it does not come? To those who search for it more than for hidden treasure?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/job/3.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />who long for death that does not come, and search for it like hidden treasure,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/job/3.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />to those who wait for death that does not come, and search for it more than for hidden treasures, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/job/3.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Who long for death, but it doesn't come; and dig for it more than for hidden treasures,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/job/3.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Who long for death, but it cometh not; and dig for it more than for hid treasures;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/job/3.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />who long for death, but it doesn’t come; and dig for it more than for hidden treasures, <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/job/3.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Who are waiting for death, and it is not, "" And they seek it above hid treasures.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/job/3.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Who are waiting for death, and it is not, And they seek it above hid treasures.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/job/3.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Waiting for death, and it is not; and they will dig more than for hidden treasures;<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/job/3.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />That look for death, and it cometh not, as they that dig for a treasure: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/job/3.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />who expect death, and it does not arrive, like those who dig for treasure<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/job/3.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />They wait for death and it does not come; they search for it more than for hidden treasures. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/job/3.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />who long for death, but it does not come, and dig for it more than for hidden treasures;<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/job/3.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Who long for death, but it comes not, and seek it as one seeks a hidden treasure;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/job/3.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Who expect death, and it is not, and seek it like a treasure<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/job/3.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Who long for death, but it cometh not; And dig for it more than for hid treasures;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/job/3.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />who desire death, and obtain it not, digging <i>for it</i> as <i>for</i> treasures;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/job/3-21.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=500" 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">20</span>Why is light given to the miserable, and life to the bitter of soul, <span class="reftext">21</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/2442.htm" title="2442: ham·ḥak·kîm (Art:: V-Piel-Prtcpl-mp) -- To wait, await. A primitive root; properly, to adhere to; hence, to await.">who long</a> <a href="/hebrew/4194.htm" title="4194: lam·mā·weṯ (Prep-l, Art:: N-ms) -- Death. From muwth; death; concretely, the dead, their place or state; figuratively, pestilence, ruin.">for death</a> <a href="/hebrew/369.htm" title="369: wə·’ê·nen·nū (Conj-w:: Adv:: 3ms) -- As if from a primitive root meaning to be nothing or not exist; a non-entity; generally used as a negative particle.">that does not come,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2658.htm" title="2658: way·yaḥ·pə·ru·hū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp:: 3ms) -- To dig, search for. A primitive root; properly, to pry into; by implication, to delve, to explore.">and search for it</a> <a href="/hebrew/4301.htm" title="4301: mim·maṭ·mō·w·nîm (Prep-m:: N-mp) -- Hidden treasure, treasure. Or matmon; or matmun; from taman; a secret storehouse; hence, a secreted valuable; generally money.">like hidden treasure,</a> </span><span class="reftext">22</span>who rejoice and greatly exult when they can find the grave?…<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="/revelation/9-6.htm">Revelation 9:6</a></span><br />In those days men will seek death and will not find it; they will long to die, but death will escape them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/8-3.htm">Jeremiah 8:3</a></span><br />And wherever I have banished them, the remnant of this evil family will choose death over life,” declares the LORD of Hosts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ecclesiastes/4-2.htm">Ecclesiastes 4:2-3</a></span><br />So I admired the dead, who had already died, above the living, who are still alive. / But better than both is he who has not yet existed, who has not seen the evil that is done under the sun.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/19-4.htm">1 Kings 19:4</a></span><br />while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He sat down under a broom tree and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, LORD,” he said. “Take my life, for I am no better than my fathers.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jonah/4-3.htm">Jonah 4:3</a></span><br />And now, O LORD, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/philippians/1-23.htm">Philippians 1:23</a></span><br />I am torn between the two. I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better indeed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/5-2.htm">2 Corinthians 5:2-4</a></span><br />For in this tent we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, / because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. / For while we are in this tent, we groan under our burdens, because we do not wish to be unclothed but clothed, so that our mortality may be swallowed up by life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/88-3.htm">Psalm 88:3-5</a></span><br />For my soul is full of troubles, and my life draws near to Sheol. / I am counted among those descending to the Pit. I am like a man without strength. / I am forsaken among the dead, like the slain who lie in the grave, whom You remember no more, who are cut off from Your care.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/13-3.htm">Psalm 13:3</a></span><br />Consider me and respond, O LORD my God. Give light to my eyes, lest I sleep in death,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/38-10.htm">Isaiah 38:10-12</a></span><br />I said, “In the prime of my life I must go through the gates of Sheol and be deprived of the remainder of my years.” / I said, “I will never again see the LORD, even the LORD, in the land of the living; I will no longer look on mankind with those who dwell in this world. / My dwelling has been picked up and removed from me like a shepherd’s tent. I have rolled up my life like a weaver; He cuts me off from the loom; from day until night You make an end of me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/1-8.htm">2 Corinthians 1:8-9</a></span><br />We do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the hardships we encountered in the province of Asia. We were under a burden far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. / Indeed, we felt we were under the sentence of death, in order that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God, who raises the dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/26-38.htm">Matthew 26:38</a></span><br />Then He said to them, “My soul is consumed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with Me.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/20-1.htm">2 Kings 20:1-3</a></span><br />In those days Hezekiah became mortally ill. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz came to him and said, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Put your house in order, for you are about to die; you will not recover.’” / Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD, saying, / “Please, O LORD, remember how I have walked before You faithfully and with wholehearted devotion; I have done what is good in Your sight.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/42-5.htm">Psalm 42:5-6</a></span><br />Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why the unease within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him for the salvation of His presence. / O my God, my soul despairs within me. Therefore I remember You from the land of Jordan and the peaks of Hermon—even from Mount Mizar.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/8-23.htm">Romans 8:23</a></span><br />Not only that, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Which long for death, but it comes not; and dig for it more than for hid treasures;</p><p class="hdg">long.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/11-15.htm">Numbers 11:15</a></b></br> And if thou deal thus with me, kill me, I pray thee, out of hand, if I have found favour in thy sight; and let me not see my wretchedness.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/19-4.htm">1 Kings 19:4</a></b></br> But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I <i>am</i> not better than my fathers.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jonah/4-3.htm">Jonah 4:3,8</a></b></br> Therefore now, O LORD, take, I beseech thee, my life from me; for <i>it is</i> better for me to die than to live… </p><p class="hdg">dig.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/2-4.htm">Proverbs 2:4</a></b></br> If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as <i>for</i> hid treasures;</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/job/3-11.htm">Death</a> <a href="/esther/9-5.htm">Desire</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/23-13.htm">Dig</a> <a href="/job/3-10.htm">Hid</a> <a href="/job/3-16.htm">Hidden</a> <a href="/esther/2-2.htm">Search</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/26-5.htm">Searching</a> <a href="/esther/2-20.htm">Secret</a> <a href="/job/3-4.htm">Seek</a> <a href="/nehemiah/10-38.htm">Treasure</a> <a href="/nehemiah/12-44.htm">Treasures</a> <a href="/esther/6-5.htm">Waiting</a> <a href="/esther/10-3.htm">Wealth</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/job/5-2.htm">Death</a> <a href="/job/6-7.htm">Desire</a> <a href="/job/6-27.htm">Dig</a> <a href="/job/3-23.htm">Hid</a> <a href="/job/3-23.htm">Hidden</a> <a href="/job/5-27.htm">Search</a> <a href="/job/5-9.htm">Searching</a> <a href="/job/5-13.htm">Secret</a> <a href="/job/5-8.htm">Seek</a> <a href="/job/22-24.htm">Treasure</a> <a href="/job/20-26.htm">Treasures</a> <a href="/job/6-11.htm">Waiting</a> <a href="/job/5-5.htm">Wealth</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>who long for death that does not come</b><br>In this passage, Job expresses a deep desire for death as a release from his immense suffering. This longing reflects the depth of his despair and is a common theme in the lament literature of the Bible. Job's situation is dire, having lost his wealth, children, and health, which leads him to wish for death as an escape. This sentiment is echoed in other biblical figures, such as Elijah (<a href="/1_kings/19-4.htm">1 Kings 19:4</a>) and Jonah (<a href="/jonah/4-3.htm">Jonah 4:3</a>), who also wished for death in moments of extreme distress. Theologically, this phrase highlights the human struggle with suffering and the limits of human endurance. It also underscores the belief in God's sovereignty over life and death, as Job acknowledges that death does not come by his own will but is under God's control.<p><b>and search for it like hidden treasure</b><br>The comparison of searching for death to seeking hidden treasure emphasizes the intensity and desperation of Job's desire. In ancient Near Eastern culture, treasure hunting was a metaphor for the pursuit of wisdom and understanding, as seen in <a href="/proverbs/2-4.htm">Proverbs 2:4</a>, where wisdom is sought like silver and hidden treasures. This imagery suggests that Job's quest for death is not merely a wish for an end to pain but a profound search for meaning and resolution in his suffering. The use of treasure also implies value, indicating that Job sees death as a precious release from his torment. This phrase can be connected to the broader biblical theme of seeking God and His wisdom as the ultimate treasure, as seen in <a href="/matthew/13-44.htm">Matthew 13:44</a>, where the kingdom of heaven is likened to treasure hidden in a field.<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 intense suffering and questioning the reasons behind it.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/u/uz.htm">Uz</a></b><br>The land where Job lived. It is often associated with the region east of Israel, though its exact location is uncertain.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/j/job's_suffering.htm">Job's Suffering</a></b><br>The context of this verse is Job's lament over his birth and his intense suffering, having lost his wealth, children, and health.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_despair.htm">Understanding Despair</a></b><br>Job's longing for death highlights the depth of human despair. It is crucial to recognize that even the most faithful can experience profound suffering and hopelessness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_value_of_life.htm">The Value of Life</a></b><br>Despite Job's desire for death, the broader biblical account affirms the sanctity and purpose of life. Believers are encouraged to seek God's purpose even in suffering.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/seeking_god_in_suffering.htm">Seeking God in Suffering</a></b><br>Job's lamentation invites believers to bring their deepest pains and questions to God, trusting that He is big enough to handle our struggles.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/hope_beyond_despair.htm">Hope Beyond Despair</a></b><br>While Job expresses a desire for death, the Bible consistently points to hope and redemption through Christ, encouraging believers to find solace in God's promises.<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_is_the_unquenchable_fire.htm">How does Job remain faithful amidst immense suffering?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_doesn't_job_28_align_with_other_wisdom.htm">Why does Job 28 offer poetic descriptions of wisdom's source without reconciling them with scientific or pagan wisdom traditions of the time?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_we_reconcile_prosperity_paradox.htm">Psalm 73:3 says the wicked prosper, yet other passages (e.g., Psalm 1:3) promise prosperity for the righteous--how do we reconcile this contradiction?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_poor_devout_reconcile_psalm_112_3.htm">Psalm 112:3 declares that the righteous will enjoy wealth and riches; how does this reconcile with devout individuals who remain poor and persecuted throughout history?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/job/3.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 21.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Which long for death</span>, but it cometh not; literally, <span class="accented">which wait for death</span>' anxiously and longingly (comp. <a href="/psalms/33-20.htm">Psalm 33:20</a>). <span class="cmt_word">And dig for it more than for hid treasures</span>; <span class="accented">i.e.</span> "seek it more earnestly than even they seek who dig for hid treasures." As Professor Lee remarks, "From the great instability of all Eastern governments, treasures were in Eastern countries often hid away" ('Book of Job,' pp. 200, 201). And hence treasure-seeking became a profession, which was pursued with avidity by a large number of persons. Even at the present day Orientals are so possessed with the idea, that they imagine every European, who is eager to unearth antiquities, must be seeking for buried treasure. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/job/3-21.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">who long</span><br /><span class="heb">הַֽמְחַכִּ֣ים</span> <span class="translit">(ham·ḥak·kîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2442.htm">Strong's 2442: </a> </span><span class="str2">To adhere to, to await</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for death</span><br /><span class="heb">לַמָּ֣וֶת</span> <span class="translit">(lam·mā·weṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4194.htm">Strong's 4194: </a> </span><span class="str2">Death, the dead, their place, state, pestilence, ruin</span><br /><br /><span class="word">that does not come,</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאֵינֶ֑נּוּ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’ê·nen·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adverb | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_369.htm">Strong's 369: </a> </span><span class="str2">A non-entity, a negative particle</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and search for it</span><br /><span class="heb">וַֽ֝יַּחְפְּרֻ֗הוּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yaḥ·pə·ru·hū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2658.htm">Strong's 2658: </a> </span><span class="str2">To pry into, to delve, to explore</span><br /><br /><span class="word">like hidden treasure,</span><br /><span class="heb">מִמַּטְמוֹנִֽים׃</span> <span class="translit">(mim·maṭ·mō·w·nîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4301.htm">Strong's 4301: </a> </span><span class="str2">A secret storehouse, a secreted valuable, money</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/job/3-21.htm">Job 3:21 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/job/3-21.htm">Job 3:21 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/job/3-21.htm">Job 3:21 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/job/3-21.htm">Job 3:21 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/job/3-21.htm">Job 3:21 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/job/3-21.htm">Job 3:21 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/job/3-21.htm">Job 3:21 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/job/3-21.htm">Job 3:21 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/job/3-21.htm">Job 3:21 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/job/3-21.htm">Job 3:21 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/job/3-21.htm">OT Poetry: Job 3:21 Who long for death but it doesn't (Jb) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/job/3-20.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Job 3:20"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Job 3:20" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/job/3-22.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Job 3:22"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Job 3:22" /></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>