Job 3:9

KJV

Let the stars of the twilight thereof be dark; let it look for light, but [have] none; neither let it see the dawning of the day:

KJV (with Strong's)

Let the stars {H3556} of the twilight {H5399} thereof be dark {H2821}; let it look {H6960} for light {H216}, but have none; neither let it see {H7200} the dawning {H6079} of the day {H7837}:

Complete Jewish Bible

may the stars of its twilight be dark, may it look for light but get none, may it never see the shimmer of dawn

Berean Standard Bible

May its morning stars grow dark; may it wait in vain for daylight; may it not see the breaking of dawn.

American Standard Version

Let the stars of the twilight thereof be dark: Let it look for light, but have none; Neither let it behold the eyelids of the morning:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 3:9 encapsulates the profound depth of Job's despair as he curses the day of his birth, wishing for its utter obliteration from memory and existence. He desires that the night of his conception or birth would remain in perpetual darkness, never experiencing the light of dawn, thereby signifying a complete reversal of creation and the non-occurrence of his life. This verse is a powerful, poetic expression of overwhelming suffering, where the very beginning of his existence is wished away as a means to escape his unbearable pain.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 3:9 is a pivotal part of Job's initial lament, which marks his first spoken words after seven days of silent mourning with his friends. Following the catastrophic loss of his children, wealth, and health (Job 1-2), Job breaks his silence not with a prayer of faith, but with a curse upon the day of his birth (Job 3:1-10). This dramatic shift from his earlier declarations of steadfast faith in [Job 1:21](/job/1-21 "Job's Initial Response to Loss") and [Job 2:10](/job/2-10 "Job's Steadfastness in Suffering") sets the tone for the ensuing dialogues. His lament is highly poetic and structured, using vivid imagery to express a desire for non-existence, thereby initiating the central theological debate of the book concerning the nature of suffering, divine justice, and human response to inexplicable pain.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, the concept of light was intrinsically linked with life, blessing, order, and divine presence, while darkness symbolized chaos, death, non-existence, and divine judgment. To wish for a day to remain in darkness, or for the stars of twilight to be obscured, was to invoke a profound state of uncreation or anti-creation. It was a wish for the reversal of the cosmic order established in [Genesis 1](/genesis/1 "Genesis 1 - The Creation Account"), where God separated light from darkness. Cursing the day of one's birth, though extreme, was a recognized form of lament, signifying a complete rejection of one's circumstances and a desperate cry for relief from overwhelming suffering. Such expressions, while shocking, were understood within a cultural framework that allowed for raw, unvarnished appeals to the divine in times of extreme distress.

* **Key Themes:** Job 3:9 powerfully articulates several core themes central to the book of Job. Foremost is **Profound Despair**, as Job's wish for the non-occurrence of his own life vividly portrays the depth of his anguish, a level of suffering that transcends mere physical pain to encompass an existential crisis. This leads directly to the theme of **Rejection of Existence**, where Job desires for the night of his birth to remain in eternal darkness, never transitioning into day, effectively wishing that his life had never begun. This radical desire for cessation is a recurring motif in his initial speeches (e.g., [Job 6:8-9](/job/6-8 "Job's Wish for Death")). Finally, the verse heavily employs the **Symbolism of Light and Darkness**. As seen throughout biblical literature, light represents life, hope, blessing, and divine favor (e.g., [Psalm 27:1](/psalm/27-1 "Psalm 27:1 - The Lord is My Light")), while darkness signifies death, chaos, despair, and divine absence (e.g., [Exodus 10:21-23](/exodus/10-21 "Exodus 10:21-23 - The Plague of Darkness")). Job's plea for darkness to consume his birth night underscores his complete loss of hope and his desperate desire for release from his torment, echoing the primal darkness before creation in [Genesis 1:2](/genesis/1-2 "Genesis 1:2 - The Spirit Hovering Over the Waters").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Dark (Hebrew, _ḥāšak'_):** The Hebrew verb חָשַׁךְ (_ḥāšak_), meaning "to be dark," "to grow dim," or "to obscure," is used here in the jussive, expressing a strong wish or command. It implies a deep, profound gloom, not merely the absence of light but an active state of being shrouded in obscurity. In the context of creation, darkness often precedes the imposition of order and light. Job's wish for the stars of twilight to be "dark" is a desire for a return to primordial chaos, a state of uncreation where the very markers of time and celestial order are obliterated.
* **Light (Hebrew, _ʾôr'_):** The Hebrew noun אוֹר (_ʾôr_), meaning "light," is a fundamental concept in biblical theology, often associated with life, revelation, joy, and God's presence (e.g., [Psalm 36:9](/psalm/36-9 "Psalm 36:9 - In Your Light We See Light")). Job's wish that the night of his birth "look for light, but [have] none" underscores the absolute nature of his desire for non-existence. He wishes for a perpetual, unyielding darkness, a state utterly devoid of the life-giving, hope-bringing quality of light.
* **Dawning of the day (Hebrew, _šāḥar'_):** The phrase "dawning of the day" translates the Hebrew בְּעַפְעַפֵּי שָׁחַר (_beʿapʿapê šāḥar_), literally "the eyelids of dawn." The word שָׁחַר (_šāḥar_) refers to the early morning light, the first glimmer of day. The poetic imagery of "eyelids" personifies the dawn, suggesting the opening of its eyes to bring forth the new day. Job's plea that the night "neither let it see the dawning of the day" is a powerful and vivid expression of his desire for that moment in time to remain eternally closed off from the light of morning, symbolizing an eternal cessation of his existence.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Let the stars of the twilight thereof be dark;":** Job begins by targeting the celestial markers of the night of his birth. "Twilight" (נֶשֶׁף, _nešep̄_) refers to the deepest part of the night, often associated with mystery or danger. By wishing for the "stars of the twilight" to be "dark," Job is calling for the very beacons of the night to be extinguished. Stars, which typically pierce the darkness and offer guidance or beauty, are here wished to be obscured, emphasizing a complete and utter absence of any light or hope. This is a cosmic curse, a desire for the natural order to fail at the moment of his inception.
* **"let it look for light, but [have] none;":** This clause intensifies the previous one, personifying the night of his birth. Job wishes for this specific night to actively "look for light"—to yearn for the coming of morning, for the natural progression of time—but to be utterly deprived of it. The phrase "[have] none" (וָאַיִן, _wāʾayin_) emphasizes the absolute void. This is not merely a wish for darkness, but for a frustrated, unfulfilled longing for light, trapping that moment in an eternal, hopeless night. It reflects Job's own desperate search for relief that he cannot find.
* **"neither let it see the dawning of the day:":** This final clause provides the ultimate culmination of Job's curse. The "dawning of the day" (literally "eyelids of dawn") signifies the transition from night to day, the beginning of a new cycle, and symbolically, the beginning of life and hope. Job's wish that this night "neither let it see" the dawn is a plea for the cessation of that specific moment in time, preventing it from ever progressing into existence. It is a desire for his birth to be erased from the annals of time, never to have occurred, thereby negating his entire painful life.

#### Literary Devices
Job 3:9 is rich with poetic imagery and literary devices that amplify the depth of Job's despair. **Personification** is prominent, as Job attributes human qualities to inanimate concepts: the "stars of the twilight" are commanded to be dark, and the night itself is depicted as "looking for light" and being unable to "see the dawning of the day." This gives the abstract concept of time and cosmic elements an active role in Job's desired uncreation. **Symbolism** is central, with darkness representing non-existence, chaos, and suffering, while light symbolizes life, hope, and order. Job's plea is a reversal of the creation narrative, where light overcomes darkness, symbolizing his desire for his life to be undone. The language also employs **Hyperbole**, as Job's wish for the complete and eternal obliteration of the moment of his birth is an extreme, exaggerated expression of his desire to escape his suffering. This intense language underscores the overwhelming nature of his pain, pushing beyond mere lament to a cosmic curse.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 3:9, with its raw expression of despair and desire for non-existence, connects deeply with broader biblical themes of suffering, the sovereignty of God, and the human response to pain. While Job's lament is extreme, it highlights the biblical allowance for honest, even desperate, cries to God in times of affliction. It stands in stark contrast to the initial declarations of faith, setting up the tension between Job's righteous character and his profound suffering. The verse's imagery of darkness and the longing for uncreation resonates with passages that describe the chaos before creation or the darkness associated with divine judgment, yet it is uniquely applied to the personal desire for one's own life to be undone. This intense lament serves as a theological anchor for exploring the limits of human endurance and the mystery of God's ways in allowing such pain.

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

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job's lament in Job 3:9 offers a profound and unsettling window into the depths of human suffering and despair. It is a reminder that faith does not always preclude moments of profound anguish, even to the point of wishing for non-existence. While Job's desire for his birth to be erased is an extreme expression, it validates the human experience of feeling utterly overwhelmed by pain and the desperate longing for relief. This verse encourages us to acknowledge and allow for the raw, unedited expression of grief and anger before God, understanding that He is big enough to handle our deepest cries. It challenges us to cultivate compassion for those who are suffering profoundly, recognizing that their pain may lead them to similar desperate thoughts. Ultimately, Job's honesty, though unsettling, paves the way for a deeper, more authentic relationship with God, one that can withstand the storms of life and still seek answers, even when none are immediately apparent. It reminds us of the preciousness of life and the light we often take for granted, even when facing significant challenges, and to hold onto the hope that even the darkest night will eventually give way to dawn.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Job's raw expression of despair challenge our preconceived notions of what "faithful" lament should sound like?**
* **In what ways might wishing for non-existence be a desperate attempt to regain control in an uncontrollable situation?**
* **How can we, as individuals or communities, create spaces where such profound and uncomfortable expressions of grief are met with empathy rather than judgment?**
* **What does Job's lament teach us about the nature of suffering and the limits of human endurance?**

### FAQ
**Is it permissible for a believer to express such profound despair and even wish for non-existence, as Job does?**

Answer: Job's lament in [Job 3](/job/3 "Job 3 - Job's Lament") is a powerful testament to the biblical allowance for raw, honest expression of grief and despair before God. While wishing for non-existence is an extreme and not an ideal state, the Bible portrays Job as a righteous man who nonetheless voices these feelings. This demonstrates that God is capable of handling our deepest, most uncomfortable emotions. The Psalms, for instance, are replete with laments that express profound sorrow, confusion, and even anger towards God (e.g., [Psalm 13](/psalm/13 "Psalm 13 - How Long, O Lord?")). The key is that Job, despite his despair, continues to engage with God, even in accusation, rather than abandoning Him. It teaches us that authenticity in prayer, even when it involves extreme pain, is valued by God.

**What is the significance of the "stars of the twilight" and "dawning of the day" in Job's curse?**

Answer: These phrases are highly symbolic and poetic. "Stars of the twilight" refers to the celestial markers of the deepest part of the night, which Job wishes to be utterly obscured, signifying a complete absence of any light or hope. The "dawning of the day" (literally "eyelids of dawn") represents the natural progression from night to day, the beginning of a new cycle, and symbolically, the start of life and hope. By wishing that the night of his birth would never see the dawn, Job is expressing a desire for that moment in time to be eternally frozen in darkness, never to have transitioned into existence. It's a profound wish for the reversal of creation itself, negating his entire painful life. This imagery underscores the depth of his desire for non-existence and the undoing of his personal history.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job's profound lament in [Job 3:9](/job/3-9 "Job 3:9 - Job's Wish for Darkness"), where he wishes for the darkness of uncreation to consume the moment of his birth, finds its ultimate contrast and fulfillment in Christ. Job longs for a world where light never dawned, a reversal of the divine order. Yet, the New Testament proclaims Jesus as the true and eternal Light, who entered a world shrouded in spiritual darkness (cf. [John 1:5](/john/1-5 "John 1:5 - The Light Shines in the Darkness")). While Job curses his day of birth, Jesus' birth is celebrated as the advent of salvation, the "sunrise from on high" that "has visited us to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death" (cf. [Luke 1:78-79](/luke/1-78 "Luke 1:78-79 - The Sunrise from On High")). Job's suffering leads him to wish for non-existence, but Christ, though experiencing unimaginable suffering and even the ultimate darkness of death on the cross, did so not to be erased, but to conquer darkness and death itself (cf. [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over Principalities")). His resurrection is the ultimate "dawning of the day," a new creation where the darkness of sin and death is overcome, and those who believe in Him are brought from darkness into His marvelous light (cf. [1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - Called Out of Darkness")). Thus, Job's desperate cry for the absence of light is ultimately answered by the triumphant presence of Christ, the Light of the World, who promises that those who follow Him "will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life" (cf. [John 8:12](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, the Light of 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 41:18

By his neesings a light doth shine, and his eyes [are] like the eyelids of the morning.

Job 30:26

When I looked for good, then evil came [unto me]: and when I waited for light, there came darkness.

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.

Jeremiah 8:15

We looked for peace, but no good [came; and] for a time of health, and behold trouble!