Job 3:4

KJV

Let that day be darkness; let not God regard it from above, neither let the light shine upon it.

KJV (with Strong's)

Let that day {H3117} be darkness {H2822}; let not God {H433} regard {H1875} it from above {H4605}, neither let the light {H5105} shine {H3313} upon it.

Complete Jewish Bible

May that day be darkness, may God on high not seek it, may no light shine on it,

Berean Standard Bible

If only that day had turned to darkness! May God above disregard it; may no light shine upon it.

American Standard Version

Let that day be darkness; Let not God from above seek for it, Neither let the light shine upon it.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 3:4 encapsulates the raw, overwhelming despair of Job as he curses the very day of his birth. Following a period of profound loss—his children, wealth, and health—and seven days of silent, agonizing mourning, this verse initiates Job's anguished lament. He expresses an intense longing for the day he entered the world to be utterly obliterated from existence, shrouded in perpetual darkness, and completely overlooked by divine providence.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 3:4 marks a dramatic shift in Job's demeanor, immediately following the narrative accounts of his catastrophic losses in [Job 1](/job/1 "Job 1 - Job's Righteousness and Initial Calamities") and [Job 2](/job/2 "Job 2 - Satan's Second Attack and Job's Integrity"). While Job initially responded to his calamities with remarkable worship and resignation to God's sovereign will, famously declaring, "The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD" ([Job 1:21](/job/1-21 "Job 1:21 - Job's Initial Response to Loss")), the relentless physical pain, emotional torment, and the silent, unhelpful presence of his friends have worn him down to the point of utter despair. This verse is the opening salvo of his extended monologue, a deeply personal and visceral expression of suffering that sets the stage for the subsequent dialogues with his friends. His curse of his birth day is not a direct curse against God, but rather an agonizing wish for non-existence, a desperate attempt to escape the unbearable reality of his present suffering.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Book of Job is set in the land of Uz, a location generally believed to be in the Edomite or Arabian region, suggesting a patriarchal, pre-Mosaic era. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, one's birth was typically a cause for celebration and blessing, often associated with divine favor and the continuation of the family line. To curse the day of one's birth, as Job does here, was an extreme expression of sorrow and a profound rejection of one's very existence, signifying a state of suffering so immense that life itself had become a burden. This sentiment is echoed in other ancient laments and wisdom literature, where the absence of light or the return to chaos symbolized the antithesis of life and order. The concept of God "regarding" or "seeking out" a day also taps into ancient understandings of divine providence and active involvement in creation and human affairs.
* **Key Themes:** Job 3:4 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the Book of Job and biblical theology. Foremost is the theme of **Profound Despair and Lament**, vividly portraying the depths of human suffering and the overwhelming desire to escape unbearable pain, even through a wish for non-existence. This verse also introduces the theme of **Rejection of Existence**, as Job's curse is a wish to undo his very beginning, reflecting a complete weariness with life under such circumstances. Furthermore, the **Symbolism of Darkness vs. Light** is central. Darkness (Hebrew: _choshek_) in biblical thought often signifies chaos, death, judgment, or the absence of God's blessing, reminiscent of the pre-creation state in [Genesis 1:2](/genesis/1-2 "Genesis 1:2 - The Earth Before Creation"). Job's wish for darkness is a desire for the complete antithesis of life and divine favor, a stark contrast to the divine act of creation where [God spoke light into existence](/genesis/1-3 "God Speaks Light Into Existence"). Finally, the phrase "let not God regard it from above" introduces the theme of **Longing for Divine Non-Regard**, expressing a desperate plea for God to simply ignore or forget that day, removing it from His providential care and allowing it to remain in utter oblivion.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Darkness (Hebrew, _chôshek'_):** This word (H2822, חשך) carries profound theological weight beyond a mere absence of light. In biblical cosmology, _chôshek_ often represents chaos, the unformed void (as in [Genesis 1:2](/genesis/1-2 "Genesis 1:2 - The Spirit of God Hovering Over the Waters")), or a state of judgment and calamity (e.g., [Exodus 10:21-23](/exodus/10-21 "Exodus 10:21-23 - The Plague of Darkness")). Job's desire for the day of his birth to be _chôshek_ is a wish for it to be consigned to a state of non-existence, a return to primordial chaos, or a place utterly devoid of divine blessing and life.
* **Regard (Hebrew, _dârash'_):** The verb _dârash_ (H1875, דרש) means to seek, inquire, care for, or pay attention to. It implies active engagement and recognition. When Job pleads, "let not God regard it from above," he is asking for a complete withdrawal of divine attention, oversight, and providential care from that specific day. It's a desire for God to "un-see" or "un-acknowledge" his birth, effectively wishing for it to be erased from the divine record and memory, thereby negating his existence.
* **Light (Hebrew, _nᵉhârâh'_):** This term (H5105, נהרה), derived from a root meaning "to shine," specifically refers to daylight or the light of day. In Job's desperate lament, his wish that "the light shine not upon it" is a profound desire for the day of his birth to be deprived of the very essence of existence, vitality, and divine favor that light symbolizes. It's a plea for that day to be consigned to a state of perpetual gloom, devoid of the life-giving and blessing-imparting qualities associated with the sun's illumination and, by extension, God's providential care.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Let that day be darkness":** Job begins his curse by invoking a state of primordial chaos and non-existence upon the day of his birth. This is not simply a wish for the absence of sunlight, but for the day to be plunged into a metaphorical darkness that signifies the antithesis of life, order, and divine blessing. It is a desire for the day to be utterly devoid of any positive attribute or memory, effectively wishing it had never existed in the realm of creation.
* **"let not God regard it from above":** This clause expresses Job's desperate plea for divine non-intervention and non-acknowledgment. "From above" indicates God's heavenly dwelling and His sovereign oversight of creation. Job wishes for God to avert His gaze, to not "seek out" or "care for" that particular day, thereby removing it from His providential care and allowing it to remain in utter oblivion. It's a wish for the day to be forgotten by the very Creator who brought it into being.
* **"neither let the light shine upon it":** This final clause reinforces and intensifies the preceding wishes. "Light" here symbolizes life, joy, prosperity, and divine favor. By wishing for the absence of light, Job desires that his birth day be deprived of all that is good, blessed, and life-affirming. It is a comprehensive curse, seeking to strip the day of any positive association, consigning it to a state of perpetual gloom and unblessed existence, mirroring the depth of his own suffering.

#### Literary Devices
Job 3:4 is rich in literary devices that amplify Job's profound anguish. The most prominent is **Apostrophe**, where Job directly addresses an inanimate object—"that day"—as if it could hear and respond, allowing him to vent his despair without directly cursing God. **Hyperbole** is evident in the extreme nature of his wishes; he doesn't just wish for a bad day, but for its utter non-existence, a state of perpetual darkness and divine disregard. The verse also employs powerful **Imagery** of light and darkness, which are fundamental biblical symbols. Darkness here represents chaos, death, and the absence of blessing, while light signifies life, divine favor, and creation. This stark contrast underscores the severity of Job's suffering. Furthermore, there is a clear use of **Parallelism**, particularly synonymous parallelism, as the second and third clauses ("let not God regard it from above, neither let the light shine upon it") reiterate and intensify the initial wish for the day to be devoid of divine blessing and life. Finally, **Personification** is subtly present as Job attributes the capacity to "be darkness" or to "not have light shine upon it" to the day itself, treating it as an entity that can experience these conditions.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 3:4 profoundly articulates the human experience of suffering and despair, demonstrating that even the most righteous individuals can reach a point of utter brokenness where they long for non-existence. This lament challenges simplistic notions of divine justice and highlights the mystery of suffering, a central theme throughout the book. It underscores the biblical affirmation of human emotional reality, showing that honest, even agonizing, expressions of pain are permissible before God, even if they border on questioning His providence. The verse also implicitly contrasts the chaos Job wishes for with God's original act of creation, where light triumphed over darkness, setting the stage for a deeper theological exploration of God's ultimate control over life and death, light and darkness.

* [Jeremiah 20:14-18](/jeremiah/20-14-18 "Jeremiah's Lament and Curse of His Birth Day")
* [Psalm 88:6-7](/psalm/88-6-7 "Psalm 88:6-7 - A Psalm of Deep Distress")
* [Lamentations 3:1-9](/lamentations/3-1-9 "Lamentations 3:1-9 - The Prophet's Deep Anguish")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 3:4 offers a profound validation of the human experience of extreme suffering and despair. It reminds us that faith does not preclude anguish, and that even the most godly individuals can feel overwhelmed to the point of wishing for non-existence. This passage grants us permission to be honest with God about the depth of our pain, even when our words are raw, unrefined, or seemingly rebellious. It teaches us about the limits of human endurance and the profound need for divine grace and comfort when trials are unbearable. Rather than condemning Job, the text allows his lament to stand, inviting us to empathize with his suffering and to recognize that true spiritual maturity is not the absence of pain, but the willingness to bring all of our pain, even our darkest thoughts, before a God who is big enough to handle them. It encourages us to find solace not in the absence of suffering, but in the enduring presence of God through it, even when His presence feels like absence.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Job's raw expression of despair in Job 3:4 challenge or affirm your understanding of how believers should express suffering?**
* **In what ways might wishing for "darkness" or "non-regard" be a natural, albeit extreme, human response to overwhelming pain?**
* **How does this verse encourage you to be more honest and vulnerable in your prayers and laments to God, even when your emotions are difficult or messy?**

### FAQ
**Does Job's cursing of his birth day mean he is cursing God?**

Answer: While Job's words are extreme and express a profound wish for non-existence, they are not a direct curse against God. In [Job 1:21](/job/1-21 "Job 1:21 - Job's Initial Response") and [Job 2:10](/job/2-10 "Job 2:10 - Job's Refusal to Curse God"), Job explicitly refuses to curse God, even when prompted by his wife. His lament in [Job 3](/job/3 "Job 3 - Job's Lament") is directed at the day of his birth, expressing a desire to undo his existence as a means of escaping his unbearable suffering. It's an expression of utter despair and weariness with life, rather than outright rebellion against God's sovereignty. The book's narrative framework ensures that Job's integrity in not cursing God is maintained.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job 3:4, with its profound cry for darkness and non-existence, finds a powerful, inverse fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Job longed for the light to be extinguished from his day, wishing for an oblivion that would end his suffering. Yet, Jesus is the very [Light of the World](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, the Light of the World"), who came precisely to banish the darkness that Job yearned for. He entered into the ultimate "darkness" of human suffering and sin, experiencing abandonment and anguish far deeper than Job's, even crying out, "[My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry of Dereliction")" on the cross. Unlike Job's wish for God to "not regard" a day, Christ's suffering was fully "regarded" by God, a divine act of love that brought salvation. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus conquered the power of darkness and death, offering true light and life to all who believe, as prophesied in [Isaiah 9:2](/isaiah/9-2 "Isaiah 9:2 - The People Walking in Darkness Have Seen a Great Light") and proclaimed in [John 1:4-5](/john/1-4-5 "John 1:4-5 - In Him Was Life, and the Life Was the Light of Men"). Where Job sought to undo his beginning to escape pain, Christ's coming brought a new beginning, transforming the curse of sin and suffering into the glorious dawn of redemption, inviting us out of the kingdom of darkness into the [kingdom of His beloved Son](/colossians/1-13 "Colossians 1:13 - Delivered from the Domain of Darkness").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Revelation 16:10

And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain,

Matthew 27:45

Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.

Acts 27:20

And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on [us], all hope that we should be saved was then taken away.

Amos 5:18

Woe unto you that desire the day of the LORD! to what end [is] it for you? the day of the LORD [is] darkness, and not light.

Exodus 10:22

And Moses stretched forth his hand toward heaven; and there was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days:

Exodus 10:23

They saw not one another, neither rose any from his place for three days: but all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings.

Joel 2:2

A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains: a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, [even] to the years of many generations.