Job 3:4

Arabic 2018 (الترجمة الكاثوليكيّة (اليسوعيّة))

لِيَكُنْ ذٰلك النَّهارُ ظَلامًا، ولا رَعاهُ اللهُ مِن فَوقُ ولا أَشرَقَ علَيه نور!

What Does This Mean?

Job is speaking and he is cursing the day he was born, wishing it to be completely dark and that God would not care about it. His pain is so intense that he wishes the day did not exist at all.

Explained for Children

Imagine you had the worst day ever and you wished it never happened. Job is so sad that he wishes his birthday was just a dark, dark day with no light or care from anyone.

Historical Background

The book of Job is part of the wisdom literature in the Old Testament. It was written long ago, likely around the time of the patriarchs like Abraham. The story reflects on human suffering and God's role in it, set in the context of ancient Near Eastern culture.

Living It Out Today

Consider a time when you felt utterly disappointed or angry at life. Maybe you lost a job or a relationship ended badly. Job's wish for his birth day to be erased can help us understand the depths of despair some can feel, and encourage us to seek support and hope.

Topics

• suffering
• hope
• despair
• wisdom
• endurance
• faith

Related Verses

• Psalms 88:13
• Lamentations 3:1-18
• Jeremiah 20:14-18
• Romans 8:28
• 1 Peter 1:6-7

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Job curse his birth day?

Job was experiencing great suffering and felt overwhelmed by his circumstances, leading him to express his deep sorrow and despair through harsh words.

How does this relate to the rest of the book?

This verse reflects Job's initial response to his trials, setting the stage for his journey through suffering and eventual restoration.

Can we relate Job's feelings to our own?

Yes, Job's feelings of despair can help us understand that it's okay to express our struggles with God, even in difficult times, as we seek to understand our suffering.

What does this teach us about God's response to suffering?

While this verse shows Job's intense pain, the book of Job ultimately teaches that God is present through suffering and can bring good out of it.