Job 3:21

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Job 3:21 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Who long for death, but it cometh not, And dig for it more than for hid treasures;” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Who long for death, but it cometh not, And dig for it more than for hid treasures;
Job 3:21 — American Standard Version

Context — Job 3

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
21Who long for death, but it cometh not, And dig for it more than for hid treasures;

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Which long for death, but it [cometh] not, etc.] Who earnestly desire, wistly look out, wish for, and expect it, and with open mouth gape for it, as a hungry man for his food, or as the fish for the bait, or the fishermen for the fish, as some f125 observe the word may signify; but it comes not to their wish and expectation, or so soon as they would have it; the reason is, because the fixed time for it is not come, otherwise it will certainly come at God’s appointed time, and often in an hour not thought of; death is not desirable in itself, being a dissolution of nature, or as it is the sanction of the law, or the wages of sin, or a penal evil; and though it is and may be lawfully desired…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Which long for death - Whose pain and anguish are so great that they would regard it as a privilege to die. Much as people dread death, and much as they have occasion to dread what is beyond, yet there is no doubt that this often occurs. Pain becomes so intense, and suffering is so protracted, that they would regard it as a privilege to be permitted to die. Yet that sorrow “must” be intense which prompts to this wish, and usually must be long continued. In ordinary cases such is the love of life, and such the dread of death and of what is beyond, that people are willing to bear all that human nature can endure rather than meet death; see the notes at Job 2:4. This idea has been expressed…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Dig - Desire with as much earnestness as men dig for treasure: but it is observable, Job durst not do anything to hasten or procure his death: notwithstanding all his miseries, he was contented to wait all the days of his appointed time, 'till his change came, Job 14:14. Job 3:22”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“3:21 People in misery long for death with the desperation of those who dig for hidden treasure.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“long: Heb. wait, Num 11:15; Kg1 19:4; Jon 4:3, Jon 4:8; Rev 9:6 dig: Pro 2:4 Job 3:23”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification