Job 3:4 - Let that day be darkness. Don’t let God from above seek for it, neither let the light shine on it.

Generated Verse: Job 3:4

What does "Job 3:4" mean?


Job 3:4 is a powerful expression of utter despair and a wish for non-existence. Let's break it down:

"Let that day be darkness." This is a curse on the day of Job's birth. He wishes that it were enveloped in complete darkness, that it never existed. It's not just physical darkness, but a darkness of memory, of meaning, of God's favor.

"Don’t let God from above seek for it." This is a plea to God himself. Job wants God to forget about that day, to not include it in His reckoning of time or creation. He wants it to be banished from God's sight and attention. "Seek for it" implies that God might actively search for the day to acknowledge it, to bless it, or to use it in His purposes. Job wants none of that.

"Neither let the light shine on it." This reinforces the first statement. Light symbolizes life, joy, goodness, and divine presence. Job wants to ensure that no light of any kind—literal or metaphorical—ever touches or illuminates that day. He desires its complete and utter obliteration.

In essence, Job is expressing a desire to have never been born. He feels that his life is so filled with suffering that it would have been better if the day of his birth had never occurred. The verse conveys profound anguish, hopelessness, and a rejection of the very concept of his existence. It's a desperate cry against the pain and injustice he perceives in his life.

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