JOB OPENED HIS MOUTH: Breaking a week's silence (Job
2:13).
Job 3:4
CARE ABOUT IT: Or, "inquire after it" (RV
mg).
Job 3:5
"May it be a day of eclipse."
Job 3:6
"Let it be a day set apart completely."
Job 3:7
"Let it be a barren day, with no joy of new life."
Job 3:8
THOSE WHO ARE READY TO ROUSE LEVIATHAN: Job wishes that
the mythological "Leviathan" or such a creature of chaos could be summoned by
the mourners to swallow up that day. Job, in a cursing mood, employs the most
vivid and forceful proverbial language available to call for the obliteration of
that day. The figure then is of an awakened monster of chaos who could swallow
that day. According to some mythological notions, such swallowing of the sun and
moon brought about an eclipse! Of course, since Job believed in One God only,
and rejected the current superstitious and idolatrous concepts of the sun (Job
31:26-28), it may be safely assumed that he is merely using a common
figure of speech -- not endorsing belief in such a false god!
LEVIATHAN: Poss reference to "eclipses" -- great
creatures that blot out the sun (v 5). [AV has "their mourning" in place of
"Leviathan".] Elsewhere, sig a mythological 7-headed sea god, with poss
connections with Babylon and Egypt: see Lesson, Leviathan.
Job 3:12
KNEES TO RECEIVE ME: By which the father acknowledged
his paternity: Gen 50:2; Isa 66:2.
Job 3:20
WHY IS LIGHT GIVEN TO THOSE IN MISERY, AND LIFE TO THE
BITTER OF SOUL?: "Why must I live even now?"
Job 3:23
"Why must I continue living when I have lost the meaning of
life?"