16 Or why was I not hidden away in the ground like a stillborn child, like an infant who never saw the light of day?

Other Translations of Job 3:16

King James Version

16 Or as an hidden untimely birth I had not been; as infants which never saw light.

English Standard Version

16 Or why was I not as a hidden stillborn child, as infants who never see the light?

The Message

16 Why wasn't I stillborn and buried with all the babies who never saw light,

New King James Version

16 Or why was I not hidden like a stillborn child, Like infants who never saw light?

New Living Translation

16 Why wasn't I buried like a stillborn child, like a baby who never lives to see the light?

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Job 3:16

Commentary on Job 3:11-19

(Read Job 3:11-19)

Job complained of those present at his birth, for their tender attention to him. No creature comes into the world so helpless as man. God's power and providence upheld our frail lives, and his pity and patience spared our forfeited lives. Natural affection is put into parents' hearts by God. To desire to die that we may be with Christ, that we may be free from sin, is the effect and evidence of grace; but to desire to die, only that we may be delivered from the troubles of this life, savours of corruption. It is our wisdom and duty to make the best of that which is, be it living or dying; and so to live to the Lord, and die to the Lord, as in both to be his, Romans 14:8. Observe how Job describes the repose of the grave; There the wicked cease from troubling. When persecutors die, they can no longer persecute. There the weary are at rest: in the grave they rest from all their labours. And a rest from sin, temptation, conflict, sorrows, and labours, remains in the presence and enjoyment of God. There believers rest in Jesus, nay, as far as we trust in the Lord Jesus and obey him, we here find rest to our souls, though in the world we have tribulation.