Job 3:7

KJV

Lo, let that night be solitary, let no joyful voice come therein.

KJV (with Strong's)

Lo, let that night {H3915} be solitary {H1565}, let no joyful voice {H7445} come {H935} therein.

Complete Jewish Bible

may that night be desolate, may no cry of joy be heard in it;

Berean Standard Bible

Behold, may that night be barren; may no joyful voice come into it.

American Standard Version

Lo, let that night be barren; Let no joyful voice come therein.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 3:7 captures the profound depth of Job's despair as he curses the night of his conception or birth. Following seven days of silent mourning, Job breaks his silence, not with praise, but with a fervent wish for the night of his origin to be utterly barren, desolate, and devoid of any celebratory sounds. This verse encapsulates his desire for non-existence, reflecting the overwhelming burden of his catastrophic losses and unimaginable physical suffering.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 3 marks a dramatic shift in the book of Job, transitioning from Job's initial unwavering piety and acceptance of God's will in [Job 1:21](/job/1-21 "Job 1:21 - Job's Initial Response to Loss") and [Job 2:10](/job/2-10 "Job 2:10 - Job's Steadfastness Amidst Suffering") to a profound and extended lament. After his three friends sit with him in silent empathy for seven days ([Job 2:13](/job/2-13 "Job 2:13 - Friends Sit with Job in Silence")), Job finally breaks the silence, not with a question to God, but with a curse upon his own existence. Chapter 3 serves as the opening salvo of the poetic dialogues, setting the stage for the intricate theological debate that follows between Job and his friends. This specific verse directly follows Job's curse on the day of his birth in [Job 3:3-6](/job/3-3 "Job 3:3-6 - Job Curses the Day of His Birth"), extending his desperate wish for non-existence from the day to the night, emphasizing its utter desolation.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Near Eastern cultures, birth was a highly celebrated event, often accompanied by feasting, singing, and expressions of joy, particularly for the birth of a son who would carry on the family line. To curse the day or night of one's birth, as Job does, was an extreme expression of despair, bordering on a rejection of life itself—a stark contrast to the cultural norms of celebrating new life. Such laments, however, were not entirely unique; similar expressions of profound sorrow and a wish for non-existence can be found in other biblical texts, such as [Jeremiah 20:14-18](/jeremiah/20-14 "Jeremiah 20:14-18 - Jeremiah's Lament Over His Birth"), indicating a shared human experience of lament in the face of overwhelming suffering. Job's lament also takes place within a patriarchal society where a man's well-being was intrinsically linked to his family, wealth, and health, all of which Job had lost.

* **Key Themes:** Job 3:7 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Job. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Profound Human Suffering and Despair**, illustrating the depths of agony that can lead an individual to wish for non-existence. Secondly, it highlights the theme of **Lament as a Legitimate Expression of Faith**, showing that even the most righteous can voice raw, unfiltered pain and questions to God, rather than maintaining a facade of piety. This contrasts with the later arguments of his friends, who often suggest Job's suffering is a direct result of sin. Thirdly, the verse subtly introduces the theme of **The Mystery of God's Sovereignty in Suffering**, as Job's curse is directed at the circumstances of his birth, implying a questioning of the very fabric of his existence, which ultimately points to the One who ordained it. The desire for a "solitary" night devoid of "joyful voice" also emphasizes the theme of **Isolation and Abandonment** that often accompanies severe grief and pain.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Lo (Hebrew, _hēn'_):** This interjection serves as an emphatic particle, often translated as "behold" or "indeed." In this context, it introduces Job's declaration with a sense of urgency and solemnity, signaling the gravity of the curse he is about to utter. It draws immediate attention to the profound and desperate nature of his wish, underscoring the intensity of his emotional state.
* **solitary (Hebrew, _galmud'_):** This powerful word conveys a sense of barrenness, desolation, and utter loneliness. It describes a place or state that is unfruitful, abandoned, and empty. When applied to the night of his birth, Job wishes for it to be infertile, unproductive, and completely isolated from any life or activity, as if it never truly contributed to his existence. It implies a desire for a void, a non-event.
* **joyful voice (Hebrew, _r'nanah'_):** This term refers to a shout of joy, singing, exultation, or a celebratory sound. It denotes the sounds of festivity, mirth, and communal rejoicing typically associated with significant life events, especially births. Job's wish for the absence of such a voice underscores his desire for the night of his origin to be completely devoid of any positive human emotion, presence, or celebration, emphasizing the profound sorrow and abandonment that has consumed him.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Lo,"**: This opening interjection, "hēn," serves to emphasize the declaration that follows. It's a dramatic exclamation that draws attention to the profound and desperate nature of Job's curse, signaling the intensity of his emotional state and the gravity of his words. It sets a somber, weighty tone for the lament.
* **"let that night be solitary,"**: Job expresses a fervent wish for the night of his conception or birth to be utterly desolate and barren. The Hebrew word "galmud" implies a state of being unfruitful, abandoned, and devoid of any life or activity. Job desires that this specific night be marked by an absolute emptiness, as if it never produced anything, particularly his own life. This reflects his profound wish for non-existence, as if his very beginning should have been a void.
* **"let no joyful voice come therein."**: This clause further amplifies the desolation wished upon the night. "Joyful voice" (r'nanah) refers to sounds of celebration, singing, or exultation that would typically accompany a birth or other festive occasions. By wishing for the absence of such sounds, Job emphasizes his desire for the night of his origin to be completely devoid of any positive human emotion, presence, or communal recognition. It underscores his overwhelming sorrow and the complete lack of joy associated with his existence.

#### Literary Devices
Job 3:7 is rich in literary devices that amplify Job's despair. The entire chapter is a powerful **Lament**, a poetic expression of grief and sorrow, directed not at God directly but at the circumstances of his birth. Job employs **Hyperbole** by wishing for the complete annihilation of his origin, an extreme and impossible desire that vividly conveys the depth of his suffering. The phrase "let that night be solitary" creates potent **Imagery** of a barren, empty space, evoking a sense of utter desolation and isolation. This imagery is further reinforced by the **Antithesis** between the expected "joyful voice" of birth and the desired silence and emptiness. The absence of joy is highlighted by the very mention of what should be present but is wished away, underscoring the profound sorrow that has consumed Job.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 3:7 encapsulates a critical theological tension within the book: the human experience of profound suffering and the questioning of life's value in the face of overwhelming pain, set against the backdrop of God's mysterious sovereignty. Job's lament, while extreme, provides a biblical precedent for the validity of expressing raw, unfiltered grief and even despair to God. It challenges simplistic theological frameworks that equate suffering directly with sin, forcing a deeper contemplation of the problem of evil and the nature of divine justice. This verse reminds us that faith is not the absence of doubt or pain, but often involves wrestling honestly with God in the midst of it.

* [Psalm 88:1-9](/psalms/88-1 "Psalm 88:1-9 - A Psalm of Utter Despair")
* [Lamentations 3:1-18](/lamentations/3-1 "Lamentations 3:1-18 - Jeremiah's Lament of Affliction")
* [Jeremiah 20:14-18](/jeremiah/20-14 "Jeremiah 20:14-18 - Jeremiah Curses His Birth")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job's profound lament in Job 3:7 offers a crucial space for acknowledging the reality of human anguish and the natural inclination to question existence when faced with unimaginable pain. It validates the experience of deep sorrow, reminding us that lament is not a sign of weak faith but a legitimate and often necessary form of prayer and expression within a relationship with God. In a world that often pressures individuals to maintain a facade of strength or happiness, Job's raw honesty provides permission to voice our deepest sorrows, frustrations, and even despair to the Almighty. This passage encourages empathy for those who are suffering, urging us to sit with them in their pain, much like Job's friends initially did in silence, rather than offering platitudes or premature theological explanations. Ultimately, while Job's words express a wish contrary to God's gift of life, they serve as a powerful testament to the human experience of grief, reminding us that even in the darkest nights, God is present, and our cries, however desperate, are heard.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Job's raw honesty in this verse challenge my own understanding of what it means to express faith in suffering?**
* **In what ways do I, or those around me, tend to suppress or minimize expressions of deep grief or despair?**
* **What does Job's lament teach me about the importance of listening to and sitting with those who are in profound pain, rather than offering quick solutions?**

### FAQ

**Why does Job curse the night of his birth instead of God directly?**

Answer: Job's decision to curse the night of his birth rather than God directly is significant. It reflects his deep-seated piety and reverence for God, even in his immense suffering. While he is overwhelmed by his circumstances and wishes for non-existence, he refrains from directly blaspheming God, which was precisely what Satan predicted he would do ([Job 1:11](/job/1-11 "Job 1:11 - Satan's Challenge to God")). By cursing the *day* and *night* of his birth ([Job 3:3-7](/job/3-3 "Job 3:3-7 - Job's Lament Over His Birth")), Job is expressing a wish that his life had never begun, effectively questioning the very fabric of his existence and the circumstances that led to his suffering, rather than directly accusing the divine orchestrator. This indirect lament allows him to vent his profound anguish while still, in a sense, maintaining his integrity before God.

**Is it acceptable for believers to express such deep despair or even wish for death?**

Answer: The book of Job, along with other biblical texts like the Psalms of lament ([Psalm 88](/psalms/88 "Psalm 88 - A Psalm of Utter Despair")) or the laments of Jeremiah ([Jeremiah 20:14-18](/jeremiah/20-14 "Jeremiah 20:14-18 - Jeremiah Curses His Birth")), demonstrates that it is indeed acceptable, and even biblically modeled, for believers to express profound despair, grief, and even a longing for an end to suffering. These passages provide a sacred space for the raw, unedited emotions of human experience. While wishing for death is not the ideal or ultimate hope for a believer, the Bible acknowledges that such thoughts can arise from overwhelming pain. God is big enough to handle our honest cries, doubts, and despair. The purpose of these laments is often to bring the full weight of one's suffering before God, trusting that He hears and cares, even when answers are not immediately apparent.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job's profound lament in [Job 3:7](/job/3-7 "Job 3:7 - Job Curses the Night of His Birth"), a desperate wish for non-existence and a night devoid of joy, finds its ultimate counterpoint and fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While Job cursed his birth, Jesus embraced His, knowing it would lead to unimaginable suffering for the salvation of humanity. Christ, the ultimate Man of Sorrows, experienced a depth of anguish far exceeding Job's, bearing not only physical pain and loss but the very sin of the world. His cry of dereliction on the cross, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" ([Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry of Dereliction")), echoes the profound sense of abandonment Job felt, yet it was a cry that ultimately secured our redemption. Unlike Job's wish for a solitary, joyless night, Christ's death on the cross transformed the darkest hour into the dawn of eternal life and true joy for all who believe. Through His resurrection, Christ conquered death, sorrow, and the power of sin, offering a hope that transcends any earthly suffering. He is the one who promises to wipe away every tear ([Revelation 21:4](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - God Wipes Away Every Tear")) and bring an end to all pain, ensuring that for those in Him, there will be no more solitary nights, but an eternity filled with the "fullness of joy" in His presence ([Psalm 16:11](/psalms/16-11 "Psalm 16:11 - Fullness of Joy in God's Presence")). He transforms the curse of existence under sin into the blessing of new life in Him, turning lament into everlasting praise.

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

Isaiah 24:8

The mirth of tabrets ceaseth, the noise of them that rejoice endeth, the joy of the harp ceaseth.

Jeremiah 7:34

Then will I cause to cease from the cities of Judah, and from the streets of Jerusalem, the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride: for the land shall be desolate.

Revelation 18:22

And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft [he be], shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee;

Revelation 18:23

And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.

Isaiah 13:20

It shall never be inhabited, neither shall it be dwelt in from generation to generation: neither shall the Arabian pitch tent there; neither shall the shepherds make their fold there.

Isaiah 13:22

And the wild beasts of the islands shall cry in their desolate houses, and dragons in [their] pleasant palaces: and her time [is] near to come, and her days shall not be prolonged.