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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 3:23 Why is life given to a man whose way is hidden, whom God has hedged in?</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/job/3-23.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/5/18_Job_03_23.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Job 3:23 - Job Laments His Birth" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Why is life given to a man whose way is hidden, whom God has hedged in?" /><script type="application/javascript" 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src="/ad3.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/3-22.htm" title="Job 3:22">◄</a> Job 3:23 <a href="/job/3-24.htm" title="Job 3:24">►</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 is life given to a man whose way is hidden, whom God has hedged in?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/job/3.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Why is life given to those with no future, those God has surrounded with difficulties?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/job/3.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Why is light given to a man whose way is hidden, whom God has hedged in?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/job/3.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Why is life given to a man whose way is hidden, whom God has hedged in?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/job/3.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br /><i>Why is light given</i> to a man whose way is hid, and whom God hath hedged in?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/job/3.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br /><i>Why is light given</i> to a man whose way is hidden, And whom God has hedged in?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/job/3.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“<i>Why is light given</i> to a man whose way is hidden, And whom God has shut off?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/job/3.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Why is light given to a man whose way is hidden, And whom God has hedged in?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/job/3.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“<i>Why is light given</i> to a man whose way is hidden, And whom God has hedged in?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/job/3.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br /><i>Why is light given</i> to a man whose way is hidden, And whom God has hedged in?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/job/3.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“<i>Why is the light of day given</i> to a man whose way is hidden, And whom God has hedged in?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/job/3.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Why is life given to a man whose path is hidden, whom God has hedged in?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/job/3.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Why is life given to a man whose path is hidden, whom God has hedged in? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/job/3.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Why is light given to a man whose way is hid, And whom God hath hedged in?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/job/3.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Why do I go on living when God has me surrounded, and I can't see the road? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/job/3.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Why is light given to a man whose way is hid, and whom God hath hedged in?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/job/3.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Why give light to those whose paths have been hidden, to those whom God has fenced in?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/job/3.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />God keeps their future hidden and hems them in on every side. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/job/3.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />To the formerly successful man who lost his way in life, and God fenced him in?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/job/3.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Why is life given to a man whose way is hidden, whom God has hedged in?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/job/3.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Why is light given to a man whose way is hidden, and whom God has hedged in? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/job/3.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Why is light given to a man whose way is hid, whom God has hedged in?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/job/3.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Why is light given to a man whose way is hid, and whom God hath hedged in?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/job/3.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Why is light given to a man whose way is hidden, whom God has hedged in? <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/job/3.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />To a man whose way has been hidden, "" And whom God shuts up?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/job/3.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> To a man whose way hath been hidden, And whom God doth shut up?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/job/3.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />To a man whose way was hid, and God will hedge about him?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/job/3.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />To a man whose way is hidden, and God hath surrounded him with darkness? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/job/3.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />to a man whose way is hidden and whom God has surrounded with darkness?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/job/3.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />A man whose path is hidden from him, one whom God has hemmed in! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/job/3.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Why is light given to one who cannot see the way, whom God has fenced in?<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/job/3.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Why is light given to a man whose way is hid, whom God has hedged in?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/job/3.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />To a man whose way is hidden and God descends upon him?<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/job/3.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />To a man whose way is hid, And whom God hath hedged in?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/job/3.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Death <i>is</i> rest to <i>such</i> a man, for God has hedged him in.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/job/3-23.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=512" 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">22</span>who rejoice and greatly exult when they can find the grave? <span class="reftext">23</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1397.htm" title="1397: lə·ḡe·ḇer (Prep-l:: N-ms) -- Man. From gabar; properly, a valiant man or warrior; generally, a person simply.">Why is life given to a man</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer- (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">whose</a> <a href="/hebrew/1870.htm" title="1870: dar·kōw (N-csc:: 3ms) -- Way, road, distance, journey, manner. From darak; a road; figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb.">way</a> <a href="/hebrew/5641.htm" title="5641: nis·tā·rāh (V-Nifal-Perf-3fs) -- To hide, conceal. A primitive root; to hide, literally or figuratively.">is hidden,</a> <a href="/hebrew/433.htm" title="433: ’ĕ·lō·w·ah (N-ms) -- God, god. Probably prolonged From 'el; a deity or the Deity.">whom God</a> <a href="/hebrew/1157.htm" title="1157: ba·‘ă·ḏōw (Prep:: 3ms) -- From ad with prepositional prefix; in up to or over against; generally at, beside, among, behind, for, etc."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5526.htm" title="5526: way·yā·seḵ (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- Or sakak; a primitive root; properly, to entwine as a screen; by implication, to fence in, cover over, protect.">has hedged in?</a> </span><span class="reftext">24</span>I sigh when food is put before me, and my groans pour out like water.…<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="/psalms/88-8.htm">Psalm 88:8</a></span><br />You have removed my friends from me; You have made me repulsive to them; I am confined and cannot escape.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/lamentations/3-7.htm">Lamentations 3:7</a></span><br />He has walled me in so I cannot escape; He has weighed me down with chains.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/59-10.htm">Isaiah 59:10</a></span><br />Like the blind, we feel our way along the wall, groping like those without eyes. We stumble at midday as in the twilight; among the vigorous we are like the dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/13-16.htm">Jeremiah 13:16</a></span><br />Give glory to the LORD your God before He brings darkness, before your feet stumble on the dusky mountains. You wait for light, but He turns it into deep gloom and thick darkness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/107-10.htm">Psalm 107:10-14</a></span><br />Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, prisoners in affliction and chains, / because they rebelled against the words of God and despised the counsel of the Most High. / He humbled their hearts with hard labor; they stumbled, and there was no one to help. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/4-19.htm">Proverbs 4:19</a></span><br />But the way of the wicked is like the darkest gloom; they do not know what makes them stumble.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/42-7.htm">Isaiah 42:7</a></span><br />to open the eyes of the blind, to bring prisoners out of the dungeon and those sitting in darkness out from the prison house.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ecclesiastes/6-12.htm">Ecclesiastes 6:12</a></span><br />For who knows what is good for a man during the few days in which he passes through his fleeting life like a shadow? Who can tell a man what will come after him under the sun?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/142-3.htm">Psalm 142:3</a></span><br />Although my spirit grows faint within me, You know my way. Along the path I travel they have hidden a snare for me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/9-2.htm">Isaiah 9:2</a></span><br />The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/4-16.htm">Matthew 4:16</a></span><br />the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/12-35.htm">John 12:35</a></span><br />Then Jesus told them, “For a little while longer, the Light will be among you. Walk while you have the Light, so that darkness will not overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/4-4.htm">2 Corinthians 4:4</a></span><br />The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/4-18.htm">Ephesians 4:18</a></span><br />They are darkened in their understanding and alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardness of their hearts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/2-11.htm">1 John 2:11</a></span><br />But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness. He does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Why is light given to a man whose way is hid, and whom God has hedged in?</p><p class="hdg">whose way.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/40-27.htm">Isaiah 40:27</a></b></br> Why sayest thou, O Jacob, and speakest, O Israel, My way is hid from the LORD, and my judgment is passed over from my God?</p><p class="hdg">hedged in.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/12-14.htm">Job 12:14</a></b></br> Behold, he breaketh down, and it cannot be built again: he shutteth up a man, and there can be no opening.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/19-8.htm">Job 19:8</a></b></br> He hath fenced up my way that I cannot pass, and he hath set darkness in my paths.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/31-8.htm">Psalm 31:8</a></b></br> And hast not shut me up into the hand of the enemy: thou hast set my feet in a large room.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/james/1-2.htm">Hedged</a> <a href="/job/3-21.htm">Hid</a> <a href="/job/3-21.htm">Hidden</a> <a href="/job/3-20.htm">Light</a> <a href="/job/3-10.htm">Shut</a> <a href="/job/3-10.htm">Veiled</a> <a href="/job/2-12.htm">Way</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/job/19-8.htm">Hedged</a> <a href="/job/5-21.htm">Hid</a> <a href="/job/5-21.htm">Hidden</a> <a href="/job/9-7.htm">Light</a> <a href="/job/5-16.htm">Shut</a> <a href="/job/13-24.htm">Veiled</a> <a href="/job/4-6.htm">Way</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 is life given to a man</b><br>This phrase reflects Job's deep anguish and existential questioning. In the context of the Book of Job, Job is a righteous man who has lost everything, including his health, wealth, and family. His question is rhetorical, expressing his despair and confusion about the purpose of life amidst suffering. This echoes the broader biblical theme of questioning God's purposes, seen in other scriptures like <a href="/ecclesiastes/1-2.htm">Ecclesiastes 1:2</a>, where the Preacher questions the meaning of life.<p><b>whose way is hidden,</b><br>The "way" being "hidden" suggests a lack of understanding or clarity about one's life path or purpose. In the ancient Near Eastern context, knowing one's path was often associated with divine favor and guidance. Job feels abandoned and without direction, a sentiment echoed in <a href="/psalms/77-19.htm">Psalm 77:19</a>, where God's ways are described as being in the sea, unseen and mysterious. This phrase highlights the human struggle with divine mystery and the hiddenness of God's plans.<p><b>whom God has hedged in?</b><br>The imagery of being "hedged in" can be seen as both protective and restrictive. Earlier in <a href="/job/1-10.htm">Job 1:10</a>, Satan accuses God of placing a hedge around Job, protecting him. Here, Job feels trapped by his circumstances, suggesting a reversal of that protection. This duality reflects the complexity of God's sovereignty and human suffering. Theologically, it raises questions about God's role in human trials, a theme explored throughout the Book of Job and in the New Testament, where suffering is often seen as a means of spiritual growth (<a href="/james/1-2.htm">James 1:2-4</a>).<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/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The sovereign Creator who allows Job's trials as a test of faith and integrity. He is ultimately in control of all circumstances.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/s/satan.htm">Satan</a></b><br>The adversary who challenges Job's faithfulness, suggesting that Job is only righteous because of his prosperity.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/j/job's_friends.htm">Job's Friends</a></b><br>Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, who come to comfort Job but end up accusing him of wrongdoing as the cause of his suffering.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/l/land_of_uz.htm">Land of Uz</a></b><br>The setting of the Book of Job, a region whose exact location is uncertain but is traditionally considered to be in the area of Edom or northern Arabia.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_suffering.htm">Understanding Suffering</a></b><br>Suffering can feel like a hedge, limiting our understanding and perspective. Job's lament reflects a common human experience of feeling trapped by circumstances beyond our control.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty.htm">God's Sovereignty</a></b><br>Even when our way seems hidden, God is sovereign. His purposes are often beyond our comprehension, but His character is trustworthy.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_in_trials.htm">Faith in Trials</a></b><br>Job's question challenges us to maintain faith even when we cannot see the way forward. Trusting God in the dark is a profound act of faith.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/community_and_comfort.htm">Community and Comfort</a></b><br>Job's friends initially come to comfort him, reminding us of the importance of community. However, their failure to empathize teaches us to be compassionate and patient with those who suffer.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/hope_beyond_understanding.htm">Hope Beyond Understanding</a></b><br>While Job feels hedged in, the broader biblical account assures us of hope and redemption. Our current understanding is limited, but God's plan is ultimately for our good.<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/heard_the_good_news_of_jesus.htm">Have you heard the good news of Jesus Christ?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_it_unfair_only_christians_enter_heaven.htm">Isn't it unfair that Christianity says only Christians go to Heaven?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_can_job_argue_with_a_silent_god.htm">How can Job's claim in Job 23:3-5 that he would argue his case directly before God be reconciled with a supposedly omnipresent deity who remains silent?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_is_david_innocent_in_psalm_17_3.htm">How can David claim innocence in Psalm 17:3 if the Bible elsewhere teaches that all humans are sinful (Romans 3:23)?</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>(23) <span class= "bld">Hedged in.</span>--The same expression was used in an opposite sense in <a href="/job/1-10.htm" title="Have not you made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he has on every side? you have blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.">Job 1:10</a>.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/job/3.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 23.</span> - Why is light given <span class="cmt_word">to a man whose way is hid?</span> "Obscured," that is, "darkened," "placed under a cloud" (comp. ver. 20, where the sentiment is nearly the same). <span class="cmt_word">And whom God hath hedged in</span>. Not in the way of protection, as in <a href="/job/1-10.htm">Job 1:10</a>, but of obstruction and confinement: (comp. <a href="/job/19-8.htm">Job 19:8</a> and <a href="/hosea/2-6.htm">Hosea 2:6</a>). Job feels himself confined, imprisoned, blocked in. He can neither see the path which he ought to pursue nor take steps in any direction. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/job/3-23.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 is life given to a man</span><br /><span class="heb">לְ֭גֶבֶר</span> <span class="translit">(lə·ḡe·ḇer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1397.htm">Strong's 1397: </a> </span><span class="str2">A valiant man, warrior, a person simply</span><br /><br /><span class="word">whose</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲשֶׁר־</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·šer-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - relative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">way</span><br /><span class="heb">דַּרְכּ֣וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(dar·kōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - common singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1870.htm">Strong's 1870: </a> </span><span class="str2">A road, a course of life, mode of action</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is hidden,</span><br /><span class="heb">נִסְתָּ֑רָה</span> <span class="translit">(nis·tā·rāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5641.htm">Strong's 5641: </a> </span><span class="str2">To hide, conceal</span><br /><br /><span class="word">whom God</span><br /><span class="heb">אֱל֣וֹהַּ</span> <span class="translit">(’ĕ·lō·w·ah)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_433.htm">Strong's 433: </a> </span><span class="str2">God -- a deity, the Deity</span><br /><br /><span class="word">has hedged in?</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיָּ֖סֶךְ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yā·seḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5526.htm">Strong's 5526: </a> </span><span class="str2">To entwine as a, screen, to fence in, cover over, protect</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/job/3-23.htm">Job 3:23 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/job/3-23.htm">Job 3:23 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/job/3-23.htm">Job 3:23 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/job/3-23.htm">Job 3:23 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/job/3-23.htm">Job 3:23 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/job/3-23.htm">Job 3:23 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/job/3-23.htm">Job 3:23 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/job/3-23.htm">Job 3:23 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/job/3-23.htm">Job 3:23 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/job/3-23.htm">Job 3:23 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/job/3-23.htm">OT Poetry: Job 3:23 Why is light given to a man (Jb) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/job/3-22.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Job 3:22"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Job 3:22" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/job/3-24.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Job 3:24"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Job 3:24" /></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>