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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 3:12 Why were there knees to receive me, and breasts that I should be nursed?</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/job/3-12.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/12/18_Job_03_12.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Job 3:12 - Job Laments His Birth" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Why were there knees to receive me, and breasts that I should be nursed?" /><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/3-12.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/3-12.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 12</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="/ad12.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/3-11.htm" title="Job 3:11">◄</a> Job 3:12 <a href="/job/3-13.htm" title="Job 3:13">►</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 />Why were there knees to receive me and breasts that I might be nursed?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/job/3.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Why was I laid on my mother’s lap? Why did she nurse me at her breasts?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/job/3.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Why did the knees receive me? Or why the breasts, that I should nurse?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/job/3.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Why were there knees to receive me, and breasts that I should be nursed?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/job/3.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Why did the knees prevent me? or why the breasts that I should suck?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/job/3.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Why did the knees receive me? Or why the breasts, that I should nurse?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/job/3.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Why were the knees <i>there</i> in front of me, And why the breasts, that I would nurse?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/job/3.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Why did the knees receive me, And why the breasts, that I should suck?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/job/3.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Why did the knees receive me, And why the breasts, that I should suck?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/job/3.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Why did the knees receive me, And why the breasts, that I should suck?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/job/3.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“Why did the knees receive me? And why the breasts, that I would nurse?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/job/3.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Why did the knees receive me, and why were there breasts for me to nurse?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/job/3.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Why did the knees receive me, and why were there breasts for me to nurse? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/job/3.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Why did the knees receive me? Or why the breast, that I should suck?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/job/3.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Why was I accepted and allowed to nurse at my mother's breast? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/job/3.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Why did the knees receive me? or why the breasts, that I should suck?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/job/3.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Why did knees welcome me? Why did breasts let me nurse?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/job/3.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Why did my mother hold me on her knees? Why did she feed me at her breast? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/job/3.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Why was there a lap to hold me, and why were there breasts to nurse me?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/job/3.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Why were there knees to receive me, and breasts that I should be nursed?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/job/3.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Why did the knees welcome me, and why were there two breasts that I might nurse at them? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/job/3.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Why did the knees receive me? Or why the breast, that I should suck?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/job/3.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Why did the knees receive me? or why the breasts that I should be nursed?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/job/3.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Why did the knees receive me? Or why the breast, that I should nurse? <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/job/3.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Why have knees been before me? And what [are] breasts, that I suck?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/job/3.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Wherefore have knees been before me? And what are breasts, that I suck?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/job/3.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Why did the knees anticipate me? and wherefore the breasts that I shall suck?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/job/3.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Why received upon the knees? why suckled at the breasts ? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/job/3.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Why was I received upon the knees? Why was I suckled at the breasts?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/job/3.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Why did knees receive me, or breasts nurse me? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/job/3.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Why were there knees to receive me, or breasts for me to suck?<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/job/3.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Why was I reared at my mother's knee? Why did I suck the breasts?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/job/3.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Why did the knees rear me and why did I suck from the breasts?<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/job/3.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Why did the knees receive me? And wherefore the breasts, that I should suck?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/job/3.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />and why did the knees support me? and why did I suck the breasts?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/job/3-12.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=449" 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">11</span>Why did I not perish at birth; why did I not die as I came from the womb? <span class="reftext">12</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/4069.htm" title="4069: mad·dū·a‘ (Interrog) -- Why? for what reason?. Or madduaa; from mah and the passive participle of yada'; what known?; i.e. why?.">Why</a> <a href="/hebrew/1290.htm" title="1290: ḇir·kā·yim (N-fd) -- The knee. From barak; a knee.">were there knees</a> <a href="/hebrew/6923.htm" title="6923: qid·də·mū·nî (V-Piel-Perf-3cp:: 1cs) -- To come or be in front, meet. A primitive root; to project, i.e. Precede; hence, to anticipate, hasten, meet.">to receive me,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4100.htm" title="4100: ū·ma·hō·šā- (Conj-w:: Interrog) -- What? how? anything. ">and</a> <a href="/hebrew/7699.htm" title="7699: ḏa·yim (N-md) -- The breast of a, woman, animal. Or shod; probably from shuwd contracted; the breast of a woman or animal.">breasts</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">that</a> <a href="/hebrew/3243.htm" title="3243: ’î·nāq (V-Qal-Imperf-1cs) -- To suck. A primitive root; to suck; causatively, to give milk.">I should be nursed?</a> </span><span class="reftext">13</span>For now I would be lying down in peace; I would be asleep and at rest…<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="/jeremiah/20-14.htm">Jeremiah 20:14-18</a></span><br />Cursed be the day I was born! May the day my mother bore me never be blessed. / Cursed be the man who brought my father the news, saying, “A son is born to you,” bringing him great joy. / May that man be like the cities that the LORD overthrew without compassion. May he hear an outcry in the morning and a battle cry at noon, ...<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="/lamentations/3-1.htm">Lamentations 3:1-3</a></span><br />I am the man who has seen affliction under the rod of God’s wrath. / He has driven me away and made me walk in darkness instead of light. / Indeed, He keeps turning His hand against me all day long.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/49-15.htm">Isaiah 49:15</a></span><br />“Can a woman forget her nursing child, or lack compassion for the son of her womb? Even if she could forget, I will not forget you!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/22-9.htm">Psalm 22:9-10</a></span><br />Yet You brought me forth from the womb; You made me secure at my mother’s breast. / From birth I was cast upon You; from my mother’s womb You have been my God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/139-13.htm">Psalm 139:13-16</a></span><br />For You formed my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. / I praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Marvelous are Your works, and I know this very well. / My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in secret, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/30-1.htm">Genesis 30:1-2</a></span><br />When Rachel saw that she was not bearing any children for Jacob, she envied her sister. “Give me children, or I will die!” she said to Jacob. / Jacob became angry with Rachel and said, “Am I in the place of God, who has withheld children from you?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/1-10.htm">1 Samuel 1:10-11</a></span><br />In her bitter distress, Hannah prayed to the LORD and wept with many tears. / And she made a vow, saying, “O LORD of Hosts, if only You will look upon the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, not forgetting Your maidservant but giving her a son, then I will dedicate him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall ever touch his head.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/4-27.htm">2 Kings 4:27-28</a></span><br />When she reached the man of God at the mountain, she clung to his feet. Gehazi came over to push her away, but the man of God said, “Leave her alone, for her soul is in deep distress, and the LORD has hidden it from me and has not told me.” / Then she said, “Did I ask you for a son, my lord? Didn’t I say, ‘Do not deceive me?’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ruth/1-20.htm">Ruth 1:20-21</a></span><br />“Do not call me Naomi,” she replied. “Call me Mara, because the Almighty has dealt quite bitterly with me. / I went away full, but the LORD has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi? After all, the LORD has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/2-16.htm">Matthew 2:16-18</a></span><br />When Herod saw that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was filled with rage. Sending orders, he put to death all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, according to the time he had learned from the Magi. / Then what was spoken through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled: / “A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/1-41.htm">Luke 1:41-44</a></span><br />When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. / In a loud voice she exclaimed, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! / And why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/16-21.htm">John 16:21</a></span><br />A woman has pain in childbirth because her time has come; but when she brings forth her child, she forgets her anguish because of her joy that a child has been born into the world.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/8-22.htm">Romans 8:22-23</a></span><br />We know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until the present time. / 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/4-11.htm">1 Corinthians 4:11-13</a></span><br />To this very hour we are hungry and thirsty, we are poorly clothed, we are brutally treated, we are homeless. / We work hard with our own hands. When we are vilified, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; / when we are slandered, we answer gently. Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Why did the knees prevent me? or why the breasts that I should suck?</p><p class="hdg">the knees.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/30-3.htm">Genesis 30:3</a></b></br> And she said, Behold my maid Bilhah, go in unto her; and she shall bear upon my knees, that I may also have children by her.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/50-23.htm">Genesis 50:23</a></b></br> And Joseph saw Ephraim's children of the third <i>generation</i>: the children also of Machir the son of Manasseh were brought up upon Joseph's knees.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/66-12.htm">Isaiah 66:12</a></b></br> For thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream: then shall ye suck, ye shall be borne upon <i>her</i> sides, and be dandled upon <i>her</i> knees.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_kings/3-21.htm">Breast</a> <a href="/leviticus/9-21.htm">Breasts</a> <a href="/ezra/9-5.htm">Knees</a> <a href="/esther/2-9.htm">Meet</a> <a href="/2_samuel/17-29.htm">Milk</a> <a href="/1_samuel/1-23.htm">Nursed</a> <a href="/nehemiah/5-9.htm">Prevent</a> <a href="/job/2-10.htm">Receive</a> <a href="/1_kings/3-21.htm">Suck</a> <a href="/esther/9-26.htm">Wherefore</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/job/24-9.htm">Breast</a> <a href="/job/21-24.htm">Breasts</a> <a href="/job/4-4.htm">Knees</a> <a href="/job/5-14.htm">Meet</a> <a href="/job/10-10.htm">Milk</a> <a href="/songs/8-1.htm">Nursed</a> <a href="/psalms/59-10.htm">Prevent</a> <a href="/job/4-12.htm">Receive</a> <a href="/job/20-16.htm">Suck</a> <a href="/job/3-20.htm">Wherefore</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>Why were there knees to receive me</b><br>In this phrase, Job is lamenting his birth and questioning the purpose of his existence. The imagery of "knees to receive me" reflects the ancient Near Eastern custom of a child being received onto the knees of a parent or midwife, symbolizing acceptance and legitimacy. This act was a sign of familial acknowledgment and care. In the broader biblical context, this can be compared to <a href="/genesis/50-23.htm">Genesis 50:23</a>, where Joseph's grandchildren are placed on his knees, signifying blessing and acceptance. Job's questioning here highlights his deep despair and the reversal of expected joy at birth, contrasting with the cultural norms of celebrating new life.<p><b>and breasts that I should be nursed?</b><br>The mention of "breasts that I should be nursed" emphasizes the nurturing and sustenance provided by a mother. In the ancient world, breastfeeding was a critical aspect of infant survival and maternal bonding. Job's lament here underscores his wish that he had never been nurtured into life, reflecting his profound suffering and desire for non-existence. This can be connected to other biblical passages that speak of maternal care, such as <a href="/isaiah/49-15.htm">Isaiah 49:15</a>, where God's care is compared to that of a nursing mother. Theologically, this phrase can also be seen as a type of Christ, who, in His humanity, experienced the full range of human life from birth to death, yet without despair, offering hope and redemption through His suffering.<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, known for his immense suffering and perseverance.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/job's_lament.htm">Job's Lament</a></b><br>This chapter is part of Job's lament, where he curses the day of his birth, expressing deep anguish and questioning the purpose of his existence.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_knees_and_breasts.htm">The Knees and Breasts</a></b><br>Symbolic references to the nurturing and care given to a newborn, representing the beginning of life and the sustenance provided by a mother.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_suffering.htm">Understanding Suffering</a></b><br>Job's lament highlights the depth of human suffering and the struggle to find meaning in pain. It encourages believers to seek God even in their darkest moments.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_sanctity_of_life.htm">The Sanctity of Life</a></b><br>Despite Job's despair, the nurturing imagery of knees and breasts underscores the sanctity and value of life from its inception.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/q/questioning_god.htm">Questioning God</a></b><br>Job's honest questioning of God is a reminder that God can handle our doubts and fears. It is an invitation to bring our deepest concerns to Him.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/e/empathy_and_support.htm">Empathy and Support</a></b><br>Job's lament calls believers to empathize with those in suffering, offering support and understanding rather than judgment.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/hope_beyond_despair.htm">Hope Beyond Despair</a></b><br>While Job's words are filled with despair, the broader account of Job points to restoration and hope, encouraging believers to trust in God's ultimate plan.<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_christianity's_apostolic_age.htm">What role does Satan play in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_should_wives_treat_husbands_biblically.htm">What is Satan's role according to the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_no_proof_of_god's_speech_today.htm">In Job 33:14, if God truly speaks in multiple ways, why is there no verifiable evidence of such divine communication today?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_is_god_silent_in_job_24_12.htm">In Job 24:12, why does it seem like God remains silent in the face of rampant oppression, clashing with other biblical passages where God intervenes?</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>(12) <span class= "bld">Prevent</span>--<span class= "ital">i.e.</span>, "Why was I nursed with care instead of being allowed to fall to the ground and be killed?"<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/job/3.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 12.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Why did the knees prevent me?</span> <span class="accented">i.e.</span> "Why did my mother take me on her knees and nurse me, instead of casting me on the ground, where I should have perished?" There seems to be an allusion to the practice of parents only bringing up a certain number of their children (see Rosenmuller, 'Scholia in Vit. Test.,' vol. 5. p. 101). <span class="cmt_word">Or why the breasts that I should suck?</span> <span class="accented">i.e.</span> "Why were breasts offered to me, that I should suck them? How much better would it have been if I had been allowed to perish of inanition!" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/job/3-12.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">Why</span><br /><span class="heb">מַ֭דּוּעַ</span> <span class="translit">(mad·dū·a‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4069.htm">Strong's 4069: </a> </span><span class="str2">Why? for what reason?</span><br /><br /><span class="word">were there knees</span><br /><span class="heb">בִרְכָּ֑יִם</span> <span class="translit">(ḇir·kā·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - fd<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1290.htm">Strong's 1290: </a> </span><span class="str2">The knee</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to receive me,</span><br /><span class="heb">קִדְּמ֣וּנִי</span> <span class="translit">(qid·də·mū·nî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person common plural | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6923.htm">Strong's 6923: </a> </span><span class="str2">To project, precede, to anticipate, hasten, meet</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[and]</span><br /><span class="heb">וּמַה־</span> <span class="translit">(ū·ma·hō·šā-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4100.htm">Strong's 4100: </a> </span><span class="str2">What?, what!, indefinitely what</span><br /><br /><span class="word">breasts</span><br /><span class="heb">שָּׁ֝דַ֗יִם</span> <span class="translit">(ḏa·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - md<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7699.htm">Strong's 7699: </a> </span><span class="str2">The breast of a, woman, animal</span><br /><br /><span class="word">that</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(kî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I should be nursed?</span><br /><span class="heb">אִינָֽק׃</span> <span class="translit">(’î·nāq)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3243.htm">Strong's 3243: </a> </span><span class="str2">To suck, to give milk</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/job/3-12.htm">Job 3:12 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/job/3-12.htm">Job 3:12 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/job/3-12.htm">Job 3:12 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/job/3-12.htm">Job 3:12 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/job/3-12.htm">Job 3:12 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/job/3-12.htm">Job 3:12 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/job/3-12.htm">Job 3:12 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/job/3-12.htm">Job 3:12 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/job/3-12.htm">Job 3:12 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/job/3-12.htm">Job 3:12 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/job/3-12.htm">OT Poetry: Job 3:12 Why did the knees receive me? (Jb) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/job/3-11.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Job 3:11"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Job 3:11" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/job/3-13.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Job 3:13"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Job 3:13" /></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>