Job 3:5

KJV

Let darkness and the shadow of death stain it; let a cloud dwell upon it; let the blackness of the day terrify it.

KJV (with Strong's)

Let darkness {H2822} and the shadow of death {H6757} stain {H1350} it; let a cloud {H6053} dwell {H7931} upon it; let the blackness {H3650} of the day {H3117} terrify {H1204} it.

Complete Jewish Bible

may gloom dark as death defile it, may clouds settle on it, may it be terrified by its own blackness.

Berean Standard Bible

May darkness and gloom reclaim it, and a cloud settle over it; may the blackness of the day overwhelm it.

American Standard Version

Let darkness and the shadow of death claim it for their own; Let a cloud dwell upon it; Let all that maketh black the day terrify it.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 3:5 is a profound articulation of Job's utter despair, forming a critical part of his lament where he curses the day of his birth. Overwhelmed by unimaginable suffering and a profound sense of abandonment, Job invokes the most potent forces of primordial darkness, the very "shadow of death," and terrifying gloom to utterly obliterate, defile, and consume the moment of his entry into the world. This verse reflects a desperate desire for non-existence, a stark reversal of creation's light and order, and an expression of anguish so deep it seeks to blot out the origin of his pain, wishing for his birth-day to be plunged into an eternal, terrifying abyss.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 3 marks a dramatic and pivotal shift in the book of Job, transitioning from Job's initial declarations of faith and endurance to a raw, agonizing lament. After seven days of silent mourning with his friends, Job breaks his silence not with words of submission, but with a passionate outburst of despair, cursing the day he was born and expressing a profound desire for oblivion rather than continued suffering. Verse 5 is an integral and intensifying part of this imprecation, as Job wishes for his birth-day to be plunged into a terrifying, eternal darkness, as if it had never experienced the light of creation. This desperate cry stands in stark contrast to Job's earlier declarations of unwavering faith, such as his famous words, "[The LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD](/job/1-21 "Job 1:21 - Job's Initial Response to Loss")," or his rebuke to his wife, "[Shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?](/job/2-10 "Job 2:10 - Job's Endurance"). His current state reveals the profound depths of human anguish when pushed to its absolute limits, challenging conventional wisdom about suffering and righteousness.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, the act of cursing one's day of birth, or even the moment of conception, was a powerful and culturally understood expression of extreme despair. It signified a wish to reverse the natural order and deny one's very existence, a motif found in various ancient laments. The imagery employed by Job—darkness, chaos, and the "shadow of death"—resonates deeply with ancient cosmologies where chaos was the pre-creational state, and light represented order, life, and divine presence. To wish for one's birth-day to be consumed by such forces was to desire its complete annihilation and a return to a state of non-being, akin to the primeval void before creation. This was not merely a poetic flourish but a deeply felt, culturally understood expression of ultimate woe and a profound rejection of one's current reality. Furthermore, the concept of a "day" having a distinct "blackness" or "terror" could allude to ancient fears of cosmic disruptions, such as eclipses, or the terrifying "Day of the Lord" imagery found elsewhere in prophetic literature, signifying divine judgment and utter devastation.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Job and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **profound human suffering and despair**, demonstrating that even the most righteous individuals can reach a point of utter hopelessness. Job's language is one of absolute desolation, wishing for non-existence rather than relief, illustrating the intensity of his physical and emotional agony. Secondly, the imagery of darkness and chaos evokes a powerful theme of **anti-creation**. Job's desire for his birth-day to be plunged back into primeval darkness directly reverses the divine act of bringing light and order out of chaos, as described in [Genesis 1:2-3](/genesis/1-2-3 "Genesis 1:2-3 - God Creates Light and Order"). This inversion underscores the depth of his suffering, as he wishes to undo the very moment of his being. Lastly, the verse, as part of Job's extended lament in [Job 3](/job/3 "Job 3 - Job Curses His Birth"), underscores the biblical principle of **the power and legitimacy of lament**. It demonstrates that it is permissible, and even necessary, to express raw sorrow, anger, and confusion directly to God, without pretense or theological niceties, a theme also prevalent in many psalms of lament, such as [Psalm 88](/psalms/88 "Psalm 88 - A Psalm of Deep Distress").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **darkness (Hebrew, _chôshek'_):** This term (H2822, חֹשֶׁךְ) refers to the absence of light, but figuratively, it encompasses a wide range of negative connotations including misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, and wickedness. In Job's desperate plea, "darkness" signifies not merely the lack of light but an oppressive, destructive force he wishes to consume the day of his birth, reflecting the profound misery and sorrow that now define his existence. It is a wish for the day to be plunged into a state of utter desolation, devoid of any goodness or light.
* **shadow of death (Hebrew, _tsalmâveth'_):** This powerful Hebrew term (H6757, צַלְמָוֶת) is a compound word derived from "shade" and "death," literally meaning "shade of death." It denotes an intense, oppressive, and terrifying darkness, often associated with the grave, extreme danger, or profound calamity. It evokes a suffocating, life-extinguishing gloom, implying a state of profound misery and proximity to Sheol. Job invokes this "shadow of death" to claim ownership over his birth-day, desiring its utter annihilation and a return to non-existence, as if it were a place of no return.
* **terrify (Hebrew, _bâʻath'_):** The verb (H1204, בָּעַת) means "to fear," "to affright," or "to trouble." It describes an active, unsettling, and frightening action. When Job wishes for "the blackness of the day" to "terrify" his birth-day, he is imbuing this abstract concept with agency, desiring that the very dreadfulness of the day should cause it to recoil in fear and be driven away or abolished. This emphasizes the profound horror and revulsion Job now associates with his own existence, wishing for the day of his birth to be so dreadful that it actively recoils from itself.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Let darkness and the shadow of death stain it":** Job begins with a powerful imprecation for his birth-day to be utterly consumed and defiled by the forces of chaos and ultimate gloom. The verb "stain it" (יִגְאָלֻהוּ, _yig'aluhu_, from H1350, _gâʼal_) carries a dual connotation of defilement or pollution, but also of redemption or claiming ownership. Here, it implies that darkness and the "shadow of death" should claim permanent ownership over the day, irrevocably marring and defiling it, blotting out any light or goodness it might have possessed. It's a wish for his birth-day to be eternally cursed and rendered abhorrent, a reversal of any positive association with life.
* **"let a cloud dwell upon it":** This clause adds to the imagery of perpetual gloom, obscurity, and oppression. A "cloud" (עֲנָנָה, _'ananah_, H6053) here is not a gentle, life-giving rain cloud, but one that brings oppressive darkness, obscuring light and vision. The verb "dwell" (תִּשְׁכֹּן, _tishkon_, H7931) suggests a permanent, settled presence, implying that this day should be perpetually shrouded in a dense, foreboding cloud, never to see the light of day again. It reinforces the desire for complete concealment, oblivion, and a state of perpetual gloom.
* **"let the blackness of the day terrify it":** The final clause intensifies the curse by introducing an active, terrifying element. "The blackness of the day" (כְּמְרִירֵי יוֹם, _k'marirei yom_, from H3650, _kimrîyr_, and H3117, _yôwm_) refers to a specific, dreadful gloom or horror, perhaps akin to the darkness associated with a solar eclipse or the awe-inspiring terror of a day of divine judgment. Job personifies this "blackness," wishing for it to actively "terrify" (יְבַעֲתֻהוּ, _yeva'atuhu_, from H1204, _bâʻath_) his birth-day, as if the day itself could experience fear and be driven away by its own inherent horror. This expresses a desire for the day to be so utterly dreadful that it is driven into non-existence by its own terrifying nature.

#### Literary Devices
Job 3:5 is rich with **Imagery**, painting a vivid and suffocating picture of utter desolation and despair. The repeated references to "darkness," "shadow of death," "cloud," and "blackness" create a cumulative effect of oppressive gloom, directly contrasting with the light of creation and life. The verse employs powerful **Personification**, as Job attributes agency to abstract concepts: darkness and the shadow of death are desired to "stain" the day, a cloud is to "dwell upon it," and the "blackness of the day" is to "terrify" it. This gives these forces a malevolent power to act upon the day of his birth, as if the day itself were a sentient being capable of experiencing terror and defilement. The entire verse functions as an **Imprecation**, a solemn curse against the day of his birth, demonstrating the intensity and depth of Job's suffering and his profound desire for non-existence. Furthermore, the imagery of plunging the day back into primordial darkness can be seen as an **Inversion** or **Anti-Creation** motif, directly reversing the divine act of bringing light and order out of chaos, underscoring Job's wish for his very being to be undone. The language is also highly **Hyperbolic**, expressing an extreme, almost cosmic, desire for non-being, reflecting the overwhelming and unbearable nature of his pain.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 3:5, with its raw expression of despair and its invocation of primordial darkness, connects deeply to the biblical understanding of suffering, the nature of evil, and the ultimate triumph of divine light. The "shadow of death" is not merely a poetic phrase but a profound theological concept representing the deepest human experience of danger, despair, and proximity to death, often associated with the realm of Sheol or the grave. Job's wish for his birth-day to be consumed by such darkness reflects a desire for the undoing of creation itself, a longing for the pre-creational chaos to reclaim the moment of his existence. This highlights the theological tension between God's good creation and the reality of suffering that can lead humanity to wish for its reversal. Yet, even in this profound lament, the book of Job ultimately affirms God's sovereignty and wisdom, even when His ways are inscrutable to human understanding. The verse also underscores the biblical validation of honest lament, demonstrating that expressing even the darkest emotions to God is part of an authentic relationship, a necessary step in processing profound pain, and a testament to God's capacity to bear our deepest anguish.

* [Psalm 23:4](/psalms/23-4 "Psalm 23:4 - The Valley of the Shadow of Death")
* [Psalm 88:6](/psalms/88-6 "Psalm 88:6 - A Psalm of Deep Distress")
* [Jeremiah 20:14-18](/jeremiah/20-14-18 "Jeremiah's Lament Over His Birth")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 3:5 offers a profound validation of the human experience of suffering and despair, reminding us that it is permissible, even biblically modeled, to articulate the deepest, most agonizing emotions to God without pretense or fear of judgment. In moments of overwhelming pain—whether physical, emotional, or spiritual—we may feel a profound desire for escape, even to the point of wishing we had never been born. Job's raw lament gives us permission to bring our unedited anguish before God, trusting that He is big enough to handle our darkest thoughts and feelings. This verse also calls us to cultivate profound empathy for those who are in the depths of despair, resisting the urge to offer simplistic solutions or theological platitudes. Instead, like Job's friends initially, we are called to sit with them in their pain, listen without judgment, and acknowledge the legitimacy of their suffering. Ultimately, while Job wishes for darkness, the Christian hope points to a light that shines even in the deepest "shadow of death," reminding us that our ultimate hope is found not in the absence of suffering, but in the presence of a God who has conquered darkness itself and promises to redeem all things, transforming even the deepest despair into a testament of His enduring grace.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Job's raw honesty in this verse challenge or affirm your own approach to lament and expressing difficult emotions to God?**
* **In what ways might the "shadow of death" manifest in contemporary life, and how can we respond to it, both personally and in supporting others?**
* **What is the difference between expressing despair to God and succumbing to hopelessness, and how does the broader narrative of Job help us understand this distinction?**

### FAQ

**Is it acceptable for a believer to express such extreme despair and wish for non-existence, as Job does here?**

Answer: Yes, the book of Job, and many passages in the Psalms (e.g., [Psalm 88](/psalms/88 "Psalm 88 - A Psalm of Deep Distress") or [Psalm 6:6-7](/psalms/6-6-7 "Psalm 6:6-7 - David's Anguish and Plea")), demonstrate that it is biblically acceptable and even healthy for believers to express profound despair, anguish, and even a desire for death or non-existence to God. This is known as lament, a form of prayer that honestly articulates suffering, anger, and confusion. Job's raw honesty underscores the authenticity of his relationship with God; he does not pretend to be okay but brings his deepest, darkest feelings directly to his Creator. The Bible presents a God who is big enough to handle our ugliest emotions and who invites us to be fully transparent with Him, even when our feelings seem contrary to faith. This does not mean such feelings are the final word, but that they are a legitimate starting point for dialogue with God in times of intense suffering, leading eventually to renewed trust and hope, as seen in the latter part of Job's story.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job's desperate cry for his birth-day to be consumed by "darkness and the shadow of death" and to be terrified by "the blackness of the day" finds its ultimate, paradoxical fulfillment and reversal in Christ. While Job longed for an undoing of his existence to escape suffering, Christ willingly entered the deepest "shadow of death" not to escape, but to conquer it. The cross represents the ultimate descent into the "blackness" of human sin and divine judgment, a moment when the [Son of God cried out in abandonment](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry of Dereliction") as the light of the world seemed to fail. Yet, it was precisely through this darkest hour that Christ, the [Light of the World](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, the Light of the World"), vanquished the power of darkness and death. His resurrection from the grave, the ultimate triumph over the "shadow of death," ensures that for those who believe, the day of their spiritual birth in Christ will never be stained by eternal darkness but will be marked by the [promise of eternal life](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God's Love and Eternal Life") and an inheritance in light. Where Job desired chaos to reclaim his beginning, Christ’s sacrifice brings true order and peace, offering liberation from the fear of death and the despair that haunted Job, as [Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14-15 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Christ's Victory Over Death") powerfully proclaims. He is the one who transforms the deepest darkness into the dawn of eternal hope, ensuring that no believer's "day" will ever be ultimately terrified by blackness, for He has overcome the world.

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

Job 10:21

Before I go [whence] I shall not return, [even] to the land of darkness and the shadow of death;

Job 10:22

A land of darkness, as darkness [itself; and] of the shadow of death, without any order, and [where] the light [is] as darkness.

Psalms 23:4

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou [art] with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Jeremiah 13:16

Give glory to the LORD your God, before he cause darkness, and before your feet stumble upon the dark mountains, and, while ye look for light, he turn it into the shadow of death, [and] make [it] gross darkness.

Job 28:3

He setteth an end to darkness, and searcheth out all perfection: the stones of darkness, and the shadow of death.

Isaiah 9:2

The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.

Luke 1:79

To give light to them that sit in darkness and [in] the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.