Job 3:8

KJV

Let them curse it that curse the day, who are ready to raise up their mourning.

KJV (with Strong's)

Let them curse {H5344} it that curse {H779} the day {H3117}, who are ready {H6264} to raise up {H5782} their mourning {H3882}.

Complete Jewish Bible

may those who curse days curse it, those who[se curses] could rouse Livyatan;

Berean Standard Bible

May it be cursed by those who curse the day— those prepared to rouse Leviathan.

American Standard Version

Let them curse it that curse the day, Who are ready to rouse up leviathan.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 3:8 is a profound cry of despair from Job, who, in his immense suffering, wishes for the day of his birth to be utterly obliterated. He invokes powerful, even mythical, entities associated with chaos and darkness to curse and consume that specific day, thereby expressing a desire for his very existence to be retroactively undone and swallowed by oblivion. This verse captures the raw, unfiltered agony of a man wrestling with inexplicable pain and loss, seeking an end to his suffering through non-existence.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 3:8 is part of Job's initial, extended lament in [Job 3](/job/3 "Job 3 - Job's Lament"), which immediately follows seven days of silent mourning with his three friends ([Job 2:13](/job/2-13 "Job 2:13 - Job's Friends Sit in Silence")). Breaking his silence, Job does not offer a prayer of petition or a question to God, but rather a passionate curse against the day of his birth, wishing it had never dawned. This dramatic outburst sets the stage for the entire book, shifting from Job's earlier pious endurance ([Job 1:21](/job/1-21 "Job 1:21 - Job's Initial Response to Loss")) to a deep, visceral questioning of his existence and divine justice. His words are not merely a wish for death, but a desire for his very beginning to be erased, framing the subsequent dialogues about the nature of suffering and God's ways.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East (ANE), the day of one's birth was often celebrated, but also, in times of great distress, could become an object of lament or curse, as seen in other ANE texts. The concept of "cursing the day" could refer to invoking individuals believed to possess special powers—perhaps sorcerers, diviners, or those with ritualistic authority—to pronounce a potent curse that would effectively "uncreate" or bring ill fortune upon a specific day. Furthermore, the invocation of entities associated with primordial chaos, such as the "mourning" (often linked to Leviathan, a mythical sea monster), reflects ANE cosmological beliefs where chaos monsters symbolized the forces of disorder that God had subdued at creation. Job's desire for his birth day to be swallowed by such chaos underscores the depth of his wish for non-existence.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within the book of Job and the broader biblical narrative. Foremost is the theme of **Profound Despair and Lament**, showcasing the Bible's unflinching portrayal of human suffering and the permission to voice even the most agonizing emotions. Job's wish for non-existence, rather than continued suffering, highlights the depth of his agony. Another theme is the **Power of Curses and Words**, reflecting ancient beliefs in the efficacy of spoken words to influence reality, even to the point of attempting to reverse time or bring cosmic disorder. Finally, the **Confrontation with Chaos** is evident in the invocation of forces associated with primordial disorder, hinting at the struggle between order and chaos that permeates both human experience and the divine creative act, as seen in accounts like [Genesis 1:2](/genesis/1-2 "Genesis 1:2 - The Spirit of God Hovering Over the Waters").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Curse (Hebrew, _'arar'_):** This verb signifies a strong, solemn pronouncement of evil or misfortune upon someone or something, often with the intention of bringing about destruction or reversal. In the context of [Job 3:8](/job/3-8 "Job 3:8 - Job's Curse of His Birth Day"), Job is not just wishing ill upon the day, but actively calling for its undoing, its being rendered null and void, as if it had never existed. This is a profound act of verbal aggression against a moment in time, reflecting the depth of his desire to escape his present reality.
* **Mourning (Hebrew, _liwyatan'_):** While the KJV translates this as "mourning," the Hebrew word here is לִוְיָתָן (_liwyatan_), which is consistently translated as "Leviathan" elsewhere in the Old Testament (e.g., [Psalm 74:14](/psalm/74-14 "Psalm 74:14 - God's Defeat of Leviathan")). In this context, it is highly debated whether Job is referring to literal mourning rites or, more likely, invoking those who are capable of stirring up Leviathan, the mythical sea monster. Leviathan is often depicted as a symbol of primordial chaos and untamed power, a creature that only God can subdue ([Isaiah 27:1](/isaiah/27-1 "Isaiah 27:1 - God's Victory Over Leviathan")). Job's invocation of those who "raise up Leviathan" suggests a desire for his birth day to be consumed by the ultimate forces of disorder and primeval darkness, effectively blotting it out of existence.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Let them curse it that curse the day":** Job is calling upon those who possess the power or specialized knowledge to pronounce a potent curse upon a specific day. This could refer to professional sorcerers, diviners, or those believed to have a unique ability to influence cosmic events through ritualistic pronouncements. Job is not merely cursing the day himself, but is invoking external, powerful agents to ensure its utter annihilation. This highlights the extremity of his desire for the day of his birth to be retroactively nullified.
* **"who are ready to raise up their mourning":** This clause, as discussed in "Key Word Analysis," is a challenging translation. Given the Hebrew word _liwyatan_ (Leviathan), it is most plausibly interpreted as "those who are skilled at rousing Leviathan." This implies an appeal to figures who can stir up or control forces of primordial chaos, symbolized by the mythical sea monster. Job's wish is for his birth day to be swallowed by these forces of ultimate disorder, aligning his personal despair with cosmic, destructive powers. He desires not just an end to his life, but an undoing of his very beginning, a plunge into the abyss of non-existence.

#### Literary Devices
Job 3:8 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey the depth of Job's anguish. **Invocation** is central, as Job calls upon external, powerful agents ("them that curse the day," "who are ready to raise up their mourning") to execute his wish. This elevates his personal lament to a cosmic scale. **Hyperbole** is evident in the extreme nature of his desire—not just death, but the complete erasure of his birth day, a wish for non-existence that is beyond human capability. There is a strong element of **Allusion** to ancient Near Eastern mythology, particularly with the reference to Leviathan, symbolizing primordial chaos. This alludes to a cosmic battle between order and disorder, reflecting Job's internal turmoil. Finally, the **Personification** of "the day" as something that can be cursed, consumed, and blotted out gives it an active role in Job's suffering, making it a target for his profound bitterness.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 3:8 stands as a stark testament to the biblical portrayal of raw human suffering and the permission to lament, even to the point of cursing one's own existence. It challenges simplistic notions of divine justice and invites a deeper exploration of how faith endures in the face of inexplicable pain. The verse connects to broader theological themes of creation and chaos, as Job's desire for his birth day to be consumed by disorder implicitly yearns for a reversal of the divine ordering of the cosmos. It reminds us that while God is sovereign over all, human experience includes moments of profound despair where the very fabric of existence feels unbearable. The book of Job ultimately guides the reader through this lament to a renewed, though transformed, understanding of God's wisdom and sovereignty, even when answers to suffering remain elusive.

* [Jeremiah 20:14-18](/jeremiah/20-14 "Jeremiah 20:14-18 - Jeremiah's Lament")
* [Psalm 88:1-18](/psalm/88 "Psalm 88 - A Psalm of Deep Distress")
* [Lamentations 3:1-20](/lamentations/3-1 "Lamentations 3:1-20 - A Lament of Affliction")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job's agonizing lament in [Job 3:8](/job/3-8 "Job 3:8 - Job's Curse of His Birth Day") serves as a powerful validation for those who find themselves in the depths of despair, questioning their very existence. The Bible does not sanitize human suffering; instead, it provides space for the most profound and unsettling emotions. This verse reminds us that it is permissible, even necessary, to voice our pain honestly before God, without pretense or theological platitudes. While Job's initial response is one of despair and a desire for non-existence, the broader narrative of the book of Job gently guides us toward a path of perseverance, lament, and ultimately, a renewed, albeit transformed, trust in God's sovereign wisdom, even when answers are withheld. It teaches us that true faith is not the absence of doubt or pain, but the willingness to bring our brokenness to God, trusting that He is present even in the darkest valleys.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Job's raw lament in this verse validate your own experiences of deep pain or despair?**
* **In what ways might we be tempted to "curse the day" of a difficult experience, and what does this reveal about our desire for control or escape?**
* **How can we honestly express our lament and questioning to God while still holding onto hope or trust in His character?**

### FAQ

**Who are "them that curse the day" and why would Job invoke them?**

Answer: "Them that curse the day" likely refers to individuals believed to possess special powers or ritualistic authority to pronounce potent curses. In ancient cultures, there were often figures like sorcerers, diviners, or professional cursers who were thought to be able to influence events or bring misfortune through their words. Job, in his extreme agony, is not merely expressing a personal wish but is invoking these powerful, external agents to ensure the complete and utter annihilation of his birth day. He desires that this day be retroactively undone, as if it had never occurred, thereby erasing his suffering and existence. This invocation underscores the depth of his despair and his desperate attempt to escape his unbearable reality by any means, even by appealing to forces associated with the dark arts or primordial chaos.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job's desperate wish in [Job 3:8](/job/3-8 "Job 3:8 - Job's Curse of His Birth Day") to have his birth day cursed and consumed by chaos, thereby undoing his very existence, finds its ultimate and redemptive answer in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While Job yearned for non-existence to escape suffering, Christ willingly embraced existence and entered into the deepest human suffering, not to be undone, but to undo the power of sin and death. On the cross, Jesus became the ultimate "cursed one" ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse")), bearing the curse of humanity's sin so that we might receive blessing. He descended into the chaos and darkness of death, not to be swallowed by it, but to conquer it, rising victorious over the forces of disorder that Job invoked. Through Christ's sacrifice, the "day" of our spiritual birth, our new creation in Him, is eternally secured and blessed, rather than cursed ([2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ")). He is the one who truly "raises up" life from the depths of despair, offering not oblivion, but abundant and eternal life ([John 10:10](/john/10-10 "John 10:10 - Abundant Life")). In Christ, our deepest laments are heard, our suffering is understood, and the ultimate victory over chaos and death is assured, transforming our desire for undoing into the hope of glorious renewal.

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 41:1

¶ Canst thou draw out leviathan with an hook? or his tongue with a cord [which] thou lettest down?

Job 41:10

None [is so] fierce that dare stir him up: who then is able to stand before me?

Job 41:25

When he raiseth up himself, the mighty are afraid: by reason of breakings they purify themselves.

Matthew 11:17

And saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented.

Mark 5:38

And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly.

Amos 5:16

¶ Therefore the LORD, the God of hosts, the Lord, saith thus; Wailing [shall be] in all streets; and they shall say in all the highways, Alas! alas! and they shall call the husbandman to mourning, and such as are skilful of lamentation to wailing.

2 Chronicles 35:25

And Jeremiah lamented for Josiah: and all the singing men and the singing women spake of Josiah in their lamentations to this day, and made them an ordinance in Israel: and, behold, they [are] written in the lamentations.