King James Version

What Does Job 3:6 Mean?

Job 3:6 in the King James Version says “As for that night, let darkness seize upon it; let it not be joined unto the days of the year, let it not come into the ...” — study this verse from Job chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“As for that night, let darkness seize upon it; let it not be joined unto the days of the year, let it not come into the number of the months. let it not be: or, let it not rejoice among the days”

Job 3:6 · KJV

Context

4

Let that day be darkness; let not God regard it from above, neither let the light shine upon it.

5

Let darkness and the shadow of death stain it; let a cloud dwell upon it; let the blackness of the day terrify it. stain: or, challenge let the: or, let them terrify it, as those who have a bitter day

6

As for that night, let darkness seize upon it; let it not be joined unto the days of the year, let it not come into the number of the months. let it not be: or, let it not rejoice among the days

7

Lo, let that night be solitary, let no joyful voice come therein.

8

Let them curse it that curse the day, who are ready to raise up their mourning. their: or, leviathan

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Job wishes that darkness would seize the night of his conception, that it be excluded from the numbering of months and days. The Hebrew 'laqach' (seize/take) suggests violent possession—Job wants that night captured and removed from the calendar of time. This reflects the ancient understanding that conception, not birth, initiates human existence (Psalm 51:5). Job's wish extends beyond his birth to his very origin, expressing total despair over his existence.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient calendrical systems carefully numbered days within months and months within years. Job's wish that his conception night be excluded from this reckoning reflects the cultural importance of temporal ordering.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Job's regret extending to his conception reflect the depth of his anguish?
  2. What does Scripture's preservation of Job's lament teach us about God's patience with our darkest thoughts?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
הַלַּ֥יְלָה1 of 12

“As for that night”

H3915

properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e., night; figuratively, adversity

הַהוּא֮2 of 12
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

יִקָּחֵ֪ה֫וּ3 of 12

“seize”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

אֹ֥פֶל4 of 12

“let darkness”

H652

dusk

אַל5 of 12
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

יִ֭חַדְּ6 of 12

“upon it let it not be joined”

H2302

to rejoice

בִּימֵ֣י7 of 12

“unto the days”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

שָׁנָ֑ה8 of 12

“of the year”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

בְּמִסְפַּ֥ר9 of 12

“into the number”

H4557

a number, definite (arithmetical) or indefinite (large, innumerable; small, a few); also (abstractly) narration

יְ֝רָחִ֗ים10 of 12

“of the months”

H3391

a lunation, i.e., month

אַל11 of 12
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

יָבֹֽא׃12 of 12

“let it not come”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Job. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Job 3:6 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

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