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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 3:11 Why did I not perish at birth; why did I not die as I came from the womb?</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/job/3-11.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/11/18_Job_03_11.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Job 3:11 - Job Laments His Birth" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Why did I not perish at birth; why did I not die as I came from the womb?" /><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/3-11.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/3-11.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 11</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="/ad11.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/3-10.htm" title="Job 3:10">◄</a> Job 3:11 <a href="/job/3-12.htm" title="Job 3:12">►</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 />&#8220Why did I not perish at birth, and die as I came from the womb?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/job/3.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“Why wasn’t I born dead? Why didn’t I die as I came from the womb?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/job/3.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />“Why did I not die at birth, come out from the womb and expire?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/job/3.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Why did I not perish at birth; why did I not die as I came from the womb?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/job/3.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Why died I not from the womb? <i>why</i> did I <i>not</i> give up the ghost when I came out of the belly?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/job/3.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />“Why did I not die at birth? <i>Why</i> did I <i>not</i> perish when I came from the womb?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/job/3.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Why did I not die at birth, Come out of the womb and pass away?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/job/3.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Why did I not die at birth, Come forth from the womb and expire?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/job/3.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Why did I not die at birth, Come forth from the womb and expire?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/job/3.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />“Why did I not die from the womb, Come forth from the womb and breathe my last?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/job/3.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“Why did I not die at birth, Come forth from the womb and expire?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/job/3.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Why was I not stillborn; why didn’t I die as I came from the womb?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/job/3.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Why was I not stillborn; why didn&#8217t I die as I came from the womb? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/job/3.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Why died I not from the womb? Why did I not give up the ghost when my mother bare me?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/job/3.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Why didn't I die at birth? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/job/3.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Why died I not from the womb? why did I not give up the ghost when I came out of the belly?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/job/3.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"Why didn't I die as soon as I was born and breathe my last breath when I came out of the womb?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/job/3.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />I wish I had died in my mother's womb or died the moment I was born. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/job/3.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Why didn't I die while I was still in the womb, or die while I was being born?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/job/3.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Why did I not perish at birth; why did I not die as I came from the womb?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/job/3.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />"Why did I not die at birth, and why did I not expire as I came out of the womb? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/job/3.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />"Why did I not die from the womb? Why did I not give up the spirit when my mother bore me?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/job/3.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Why died I not from the womb? why did I not expire at the time of my birth?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/job/3.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />“Why didn’t I die from the womb? Why didn’t I give up the spirit when my mother bore me? <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/job/3.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Why do I not die from the womb? I have come forth from the belly and gasp!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/job/3.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Why from the womb do I not die? From the belly I have come forth and gasp!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/job/3.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Wherefore shall I not die from the womb? and I came forth from the belly, and I shall expire.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/job/3.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Why did I not die in the womb, why did I not perish when I came out of the belly? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/job/3.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Why did I not die in the womb? Having left the womb, why did I not immediately perish?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/job/3.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Why did I not die at birth, come forth from the womb and expire? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/job/3.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />“Why did I not die at birth, come forth from the womb and expire?<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/job/3.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Why did I not die from the womb? Why did I come forth at birth?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/job/3.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Why did I not die from the womb, and from conception why did I come out the threshold?<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/job/3.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Why died I not from the womb? Why did I not perish at birth?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/job/3.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />For why died I not in the belly? and <i>why</i> did I not come forth from the womb and die immediately?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/job/3-11.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=443" 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">10</span>For that night did not shut the doors of the womb to hide the sorrow from my eyes. <span class="reftext">11</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/4100.htm" title="4100: lām·māh (Interrog) -- What? how? anything. ">Why</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4191.htm" title="4191: ’ā·mūṯ (V-Qal-Imperf-1cs) -- To die. A primitive root: to die; causatively, to kill.">did I not perish</a> <a href="/hebrew/7358.htm" title="7358: mê·re·ḥem (Prep-m:: N-ms) -- Womb. From racham; the womb.">at birth;</a> <a href="/hebrew/1478.htm" title="1478: wə·’eḡ·wā‘ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjImperf-1cs) -- To expire, perish, die. A primitive root; to breathe out, i.e. expire.">why did I not die</a> <a href="/hebrew/3318.htm" title="3318: yā·ṣā·ṯî (V-Qal-Perf-1cs) -- A primitive root; to go out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim.">as I came</a> <a href="/hebrew/990.htm" title="990: mib·be·ṭen (Prep-m:: N-fs) -- From an unused root probably meaning to be hollow; the belly, especially the womb; also the bosom or body of anything.">from the womb?</a> </span><span class="reftext">12</span>Why were there knees to receive me, and breasts that I should be nursed?…<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="/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="/numbers/11-15.htm">Numbers 11:15</a></span><br />If this is how You are going to treat me, please kill me right now—if I have found favor in Your eyes—and let me not see my own wretchedness.”<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="/psalms/88-3.htm">Psalm 88:3-6</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/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="/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="/lamentations/3-1.htm">Lamentations 3:1-9</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="/matthew/26-38.htm">Matthew 26:38-39</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.” / Going a little farther, He fell facedown and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/14-34.htm">Mark 14:34-36</a></span><br />Then He said to them, “My soul is consumed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch.” / Going a little farther, He fell to the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour would pass from Him. / “Abba, Father,” He said, “all things are possible for You. Take this cup from Me. Yet not what I will, but what You will.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/22-42.htm">Luke 22:42-44</a></span><br />“Father, if You are willing, take this cup from Me. Yet not My will, but Yours be done.” / Then an angel from heaven appeared to Him and strengthened Him. / And in His anguish, He prayed more earnestly, and His sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground.<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="/philippians/1-21.htm">Philippians 1:21-24</a></span><br />For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. / But if I go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. So what shall I choose? I do not know. / I am torn between the two. I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better indeed. ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Why died I not from the womb? why did I not give up the ghost when I came out of the belly?</p><p class="hdg">died I.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/58-8.htm">Psalm 58:8</a></b></br> As a snail <i>which</i> melteth, let <i>every one of them</i> pass away: <i>like</i> the untimely birth of a woman, <i>that</i> they may not see the sun.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/15-10.htm">Jeremiah 15:10</a></b></br> Woe is me, my mother, that thou hast borne me a man of strife and a man of contention to the whole earth! I have neither lent on usury, nor men have lent to me on usury; <i>yet</i> every one of them doth curse me.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/hosea/9-14.htm">Hosea 9:14</a></b></br> Give them, O LORD: what wilt thou give? give them a miscarrying womb and dry breasts.</p><p class="hdg">when I came.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/22-9.htm">Psalm 22:9,10</a></b></br> But thou <i>art</i> he that took me out of the womb: thou didst make me hope <i>when I was</i> upon my mother's breasts… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/71-6.htm">Psalm 71:6</a></b></br> By thee have I been holden up from the womb: thou art he that took me out of my mother's bowels: my praise <i>shall be</i> continually of thee.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/139-13.htm">Psalm 139:13-16</a></b></br> For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/nehemiah/5-15.htm">Bare</a> <a href="/1_kings/7-20.htm">Belly</a> <a href="/job/3-10.htm">Birth</a> <a href="/job/3-10.htm">Body</a> <a href="/job/3-10.htm">Bore</a> <a href="/1_kings/19-12.htm">Breath</a> <a href="/job/3-5.htm">Death</a> <a href="/job/2-9.htm">Die</a> <a href="/job/1-19.htm">Died</a> <a href="/numbers/17-13.htm">Expire</a> <a href="/job/3-3.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/jeremiah/14-6.htm">Gasp</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/10-13.htm">Ghost</a> <a href="/nehemiah/8-18.htm">Last</a> <a href="/job/1-21.htm">Mother</a> <a href="/job/3-10.htm">Mother's</a> <a href="/job/3-3.htm">Perish</a> <a href="/nehemiah/9-30.htm">Spirit</a> <a href="/esther/9-31.htm">Time</a> <a href="/job/3-10.htm">Womb</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/job/28-9.htm">Bare</a> <a href="/job/10-19.htm">Belly</a> <a href="/job/3-16.htm">Birth</a> <a href="/job/4-15.htm">Body</a> <a href="/job/41-2.htm">Bore</a> <a href="/job/4-9.htm">Breath</a> <a href="/job/3-21.htm">Death</a> <a href="/job/4-21.htm">Die</a> <a href="/job/10-18.htm">Died</a> <a href="/job/10-18.htm">Expire</a> <a href="/job/5-6.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/job/11-20.htm">Gasp</a> <a href="/job/10-18.htm">Ghost</a> <a href="/job/3-22.htm">Last</a> <a href="/job/17-14.htm">Mother</a> <a href="/job/10-18.htm">Mother's</a> <a href="/job/4-9.htm">Perish</a> <a href="/job/4-15.htm">Spirit</a> <a href="/job/5-14.htm">Time</a> <a href="/job/10-18.htm">Womb</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 did I not perish at birth;</b><br>This phrase reflects Job's deep anguish and despair. In the cultural context of the Ancient Near East, life was often seen as a blessing from God, yet Job's suffering leads him to question the value of his own existence. The rhetorical question highlights his wish that he had never been born, a sentiment 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. This lamentation is a common motif in biblical literature, expressing the depth of human suffering and the struggle to understand divine justice. Job's questioning can also be seen as a precursor to the New Testament's exploration of suffering and redemption, ultimately pointing to the hope found in Christ's resurrection.<p><b>why did I not die as I came from the womb?</b><br>This part of the verse continues Job's lament, expressing a desire for death at the very beginning of life. In the historical context, infant mortality was high, and the survival of a newborn was not guaranteed. Job's wish to have died at birth underscores his profound grief and the perceived futility of his life. This sentiment is mirrored in <a href="/ecclesiastes/4-2.htm">Ecclesiastes 4:2-3</a>, where the Preacher considers those who have never been born as more fortunate than the living or the dead. Theologically, Job's cry can be seen as a foreshadowing of the ultimate deliverance from suffering through Jesus Christ, who, according to Christian belief, conquered death and offers eternal life. This longing for relief from suffering is addressed in the New Testament, where believers are encouraged to find hope and purpose in Christ, even amidst trials.<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/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_lament.htm">Job's Lament</a></b><br>This chapter marks the beginning of Job's lament, where he curses the day of his birth and questions the purpose of his suffering.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_human_suffering.htm">Understanding Human Suffering</a></b><br>Job's lament is a raw expression of human suffering. It is important to recognize that questioning and lamenting in times of deep pain is a part of the human experience and is present in the Bible.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_lament_in_faith.htm">The Role of Lament in Faith</a></b><br>Lamenting is not a sign of weak faith but an honest dialogue with God. It is a way to bring our deepest pains before Him, trusting that He hears us even in our despair.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_value_of_life.htm">The Value of Life</a></b><br>Despite Job's wish to have perished at birth, the broader biblical account affirms the value and sanctity of life. This tension invites believers to seek God's purpose even in suffering.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/compassion_for_the_suffering.htm">Compassion for the Suffering</a></b><br>Job's friends initially sat with him in silence, which can be a model for how to support those in deep pain. Sometimes presence is more powerful than words.<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_dark_night_of_the_soul.htm">What is the Dark Night of the Soul?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_job_3_align_with_god's_justice.htm">How can Job's complaint in Job 3 align with a just and sovereign God, if he questions the value of his own birth?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_can_job_3_3_imply_a_day_is_'cursed'.htm">How can Job 3:3 imply that a specific calendar day could be 'cursed,' and what would that logically accomplish?</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><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 11.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Why died I not from the womb?</span> "<span class="accented">From</span> the womb" must mean, "as soon as I came out of the womb," not "while I yet remained within it" (comp. <a href="/jeremiah/20-17.htm">Jeremiah 20:17</a>, "Because he slew me not from <span class="accented">the womb"</span>). Many of the ancients thought that it was best not to be born; and next best, if one were born, to quit the earth as soon as possible. Herodotus says that with the Trauri, a tribe of Thracians, it was the custom, whenever a child was born, for all its kindred to sit round it in a circle, and weep for the woes that it would have to endure now that it was come into the world; while, on the other hand, whenever a person died, they buried him with laughter and rejoicings, since they said that he was now free from a host of sufferings, and enjoyed the completest happiness (Herod., 5:4). Sophocles expresses the feeling with great terseness and force: <span class="greek">Μὴ φῦναι τὸν ἅπαντα νικᾷ λόγον τὸ δ ἐπεὶ φαςῆ βῆναι κεῖθεν ὅθεν περ ἥκει πολὺ δεύτερον ὡστάχιστα</span> (Ed. Col., 1225-1228): "Not to be born is best of all; once born, next best it is by far to go back there from whence one came as speedily as possible." Modern pessimism sums up all in the phrase that "life is not worth living." <span class="cmt_word">Why did I not give up the ghost when I came out of the belly?</span> As so often, the second clause of the distich repeats the idea of the first, merely varying the phraseology. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/job/3-11.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">לָ֤מָּה</span> <span class="translit">(lām·māh)</span><br /><span class="parse">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">did I not perish</span><br /><span class="heb">אָמ֑וּת</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·mūṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4191.htm">Strong's 4191: </a> </span><span class="str2">To die, to kill</span><br /><br /><span class="word">at birth;</span><br /><span class="heb">מֵרֶ֣חֶם</span> <span class="translit">(mê·re·ḥem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7358.htm">Strong's 7358: </a> </span><span class="str2">The womb </span><br /><br /><span class="word">why did I not die</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאֶגְוָֽע׃</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’eḡ·wā‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1478.htm">Strong's 1478: </a> </span><span class="str2">To breathe out, expire</span><br /><br /><span class="word">as I came</span><br /><span class="heb">יָצָ֣אתִי</span> <span class="translit">(yā·ṣā·ṯî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3318.htm">Strong's 3318: </a> </span><span class="str2">To go, bring, out, direct and proxim</span><br /><br /><span class="word">from the womb?</span><br /><span class="heb">מִבֶּ֖טֶן</span> <span class="translit">(mib·be·ṭen)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_990.htm">Strong's 990: </a> </span><span class="str2">The belly, the womb, the bosom, body of anything</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/job/3-11.htm">Job 3:11 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/job/3-11.htm">Job 3:11 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/job/3-11.htm">Job 3:11 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/job/3-11.htm">Job 3:11 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/job/3-11.htm">Job 3:11 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/job/3-11.htm">Job 3:11 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/job/3-11.htm">Job 3:11 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/job/3-11.htm">Job 3:11 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/job/3-11.htm">Job 3:11 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/job/3-11.htm">Job 3:11 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/job/3-11.htm">OT Poetry: Job 3:11 Why didn't I die from the womb? (Jb) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/job/3-10.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Job 3:10"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Job 3:10" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/job/3-12.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Job 3:12"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Job 3:12" /></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>