Job 3:5

“Let darkness and the shadow of death stain it, etc.] Let there be such darkness on it as on persons when dying, or in the state of the dead; hence the sorest afflictions, and the state of man in unregeneracy, are compared unto it, (<192304>Psalm 23:4 <230902>Isaiah 9:2); let there be nothing but foul weather, dirt, and darkness in it, which may make it very uncomfortable and undesirable; some render the word, “let darkness and [the] shadow of death redeem it” f99, challenge and claim it as their own, and let light have no share or property in it: let a cloud dwell upon it; as on Mount Sinai when the law was given; a thick dark cloud, even an assemblage of clouds, so thick and close together,…”

“Let . . . the shadow of death--("deepest darkness," Isa 9:2). stain it--This is a later sense of the verb [GESENIUS]; better the old and more poetic idea, "Let darkness (the ancient night of chaotic gloom) resume its rights over light (Gen 1:2), and claim that day as its own." a cloud--collectively, a gathered mass of dark clouds. the blackness of the day terrify it--literally, "the obscurations"; whatever darkens the day [GESENIUS]. The verb in Hebrew expresses sudden terrifying. May it be suddenly affrighted at its own darkness. UMBREIT explains it as "magical incantations that darken the day," forming the climax to the previous clauses; Job 3:8 speaks of "cursers of the day" similarly.…”

“Let darkness and the shadow of death - The Hebrew word צלמות tsalmâveth is exceedingly musical and poetical. It is derived from צל tsêl, “a shadow,” and מות mâveth, “death;” and is used to denote the deepest darkness; see the notes at Isaiah 9:2. It occurs frequently in the sacred Scriptures; compare Job 10:21-22; Psalms 23:4; Job 12:22; Job 16:16; Job 24:17; Job 34:22; Job 38:17; Amos 5:8; Jeremiah 2:6. It is used to denote the abode of departed spirits, described by Job as “a land of darkness, as darkness itself; of the shadow of death without any order, and where the light is as darkness;” Job 10:21-22. The idea seems to have been, that “death” was a dark and gloomy object that…”

“Death - A black and dark shadow like that of the place of the dead, which is a land of darkness. Slain - Take away its beauty and glory. Terrify - That is, men in it. Let it be always observed as a frightful and dismal day. Job 3:6”

“3:5 Job longed for the sinister darkness of the underworld (Exod 10:22; Prov 4:19; Joel 2:2) and the gloom of death (Job 10:21-22; 38:17) to claim the day of his birth.”

“the shadow: Job 10:21, Job 10:22, Job 16:16, Job 24:17, Job 28:3, Job 38:17; Psa 23:4, Psa 44:19, Psa 107:10, Psa 107:14; Isa 9:2; Jer 2:6, Jer 13:16; Amo 5:8; Mat 4:16; Luk 1:79 stain it: or, challenge it let a cloud: Deu 4:11; Eze 30:3, Eze 34:12; Joe 2:2; Heb 12:18 let the blackness: or, let them terrify it, as those who have a bitter day, Jer 4:28; Amo 8:10 Job 3:6”