Job 3:22
New International Version
who are filled with gladness and rejoice when they reach the grave?

New Living Translation
They’re filled with joy when they finally die, and rejoice when they find the grave.

English Standard Version
who rejoice exceedingly and are glad when they find the grave?

Berean Standard Bible
who rejoice and greatly exult when they can find the grave?

King James Bible
Which rejoice exceedingly, and are glad, when they can find the grave?

New King James Version
Who rejoice exceedingly, And are glad when they can find the grave?

New American Standard Bible
Who are filled with jubilation, And rejoice when they find the grave?

NASB 1995
Who rejoice greatly, And exult when they find the grave?

NASB 1977
Who rejoice greatly, They exult when they find the grave?

Legacy Standard Bible
Who are glad with joy, And rejoice when they find the grave?

Amplified Bible
Who rejoice exceedingly, And rejoice when they find the grave?

Christian Standard Bible
who are filled with much joy and are glad when they reach the grave?

Holman Christian Standard Bible
who are filled with much joy and are glad when they reach the grave?

American Standard Version
Who rejoice exceedingly, And are glad, when they can find the grave?

Contemporary English Version
Nothing could make me happier than to be in the grave.

English Revised Version
Which rejoice exceedingly, and are glad, when they can find the grave?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
They are ecstatic, delighted to find the grave.

Good News Translation
They are not happy till they are dead and buried;

International Standard Version
To those who are happy beyond measure when they reach their graves?

Majority Standard Bible
who rejoice and greatly exult when they can find the grave?

NET Bible
who rejoice even to jubilation, and are exultant when they find the grave?

New Heart English Bible
who rejoice exceedingly, and are glad, when they can find the grave?

Webster's Bible Translation
Who rejoice exceedingly, and are glad, when they can find the grave?

World English Bible
who rejoice exceedingly, and are glad, when they can find the grave?
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Who are glad—to joy, "" They rejoice when they find a grave.

Young's Literal Translation
Who are glad -- unto joy, They rejoice when they find a grave.

Smith's Literal Translation
Rejoicing with joy when they find the grave;
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And they rejoice exceedingly when they have found the grave.

Catholic Public Domain Version
and who rejoice greatly when they have found the grave,

New American Bible
They rejoice in it exultingly, and are glad when they find the grave:

New Revised Standard Version
who rejoice exceedingly, and are glad when they find the grave?
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Who rejoice exceedingly, and are glad when they can find the grave?

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Who rejoice and they assemble and they exult when they find the tomb
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Who rejoice unto exultation, And are glad, when they can find the grave?--

Brenton Septuagint Translation
and would be very joyful if they should gain it?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Job Laments His Birth
21who long for death that does not come, and search for it like hidden treasure, 22who rejoice and greatly exult when they can find the grave? 23Why is life given to a man whose way is hidden, whom God has hedged in?…

Cross References
Proverbs 2:4
if you seek it like silver and search it out like hidden treasure,

Jeremiah 29:13
You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.

Matthew 7:7-8
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. / For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

Proverbs 8:17
I love those who love me, and those who seek me early shall find me.

Psalm 119:162
I rejoice in Your promise like one who finds great spoil.

Isaiah 55:6
Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near.

Luke 11:9-10
So I tell you: Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. / For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

Proverbs 3:13-15
Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who acquires understanding, / for she is more profitable than silver, and her gain is better than fine gold. / She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire compares with her.

Psalm 19:10
They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb.

Matthew 13:44-46
The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and in his joy he went and sold all he had and bought that field. / Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls. / When he found one very precious pearl, he went away and sold all he had and bought it.

Psalm 119:111
Your testimonies are my heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart.

Proverbs 16:16
How much better to acquire wisdom than gold! To gain understanding is more desirable than silver.

James 1:5
Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

Psalm 119:72
The law from Your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of gold and silver.

Colossians 2:3
in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.


Treasury of Scripture

Which rejoice exceedingly, and are glad, when they can find the grave?

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Delight Exceedingly Exult Exultation Exultingly Filled Find Full Glad Gladness Grave Great Greatly Joy Last Reach Rejoice Resting-Place
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Delight Exceedingly Exult Exultation Exultingly Filled Find Full Glad Gladness Grave Great Greatly Joy Last Reach Rejoice Resting-Place
Job 3
1. Job curses the day and services of his birth.
13. The ease of death.
20. He complains of life, because of his anguish.














who rejoice
The Hebrew word for "rejoice" here is "שָׂמַח" (samach), which conveys a sense of joy or gladness. In the context of Job's lament, this word is paradoxical. Job is expressing a deep irony: those who find joy in death. Historically, this reflects the ancient Near Eastern understanding of death as a release from suffering. In Job's intense suffering, he sees death as a potential source of relief, a sentiment that underscores the depth of his despair. This word challenges us to consider the nature of true joy and the hope that transcends earthly suffering.

and greatly exult
The phrase "greatly exult" comes from the Hebrew "גִּיל" (gil), which means to spin around with intense emotion, often associated with joy. The use of this word in the context of finding the grave is striking. It suggests an overwhelming, almost ecstatic response to the prospect of death. This highlights the extremity of Job's anguish, where the grave is seen not as an end, but as a deliverance. For the conservative Christian, this can be a reminder of the hope found in Christ, who transforms death from a feared end into a passage to eternal life.

when they find
The verb "find" is translated from the Hebrew "מָצָא" (matsa), which means to discover or encounter. In the ancient world, finding the grave could imply a search for peace or rest. Job's use of this word suggests an active seeking, a desire to encounter death as a resolution to his suffering. This reflects the human condition's search for meaning and relief amidst trials. For believers, it points to the ultimate "finding" of peace in God, who offers rest for the weary soul.

the grave
The term "grave" is derived from the Hebrew "קֶבֶר" (qeber), referring to a burial place. In Job's time, the grave was often seen as a place of rest, a final destination where the troubles of life ceased. Job's longing for the grave underscores his profound suffering and desire for release. In a broader biblical context, the grave is not the end for those who trust in God. The resurrection of Jesus Christ transforms the grave from a place of despair to a symbol of hope and new life. This verse invites reflection on the Christian hope of resurrection and eternal life, which offers comfort in the face of mortality.

Verse 22. - Which rejoice exceedingly; literally, to exultation or "to dancing;" i.e. so that they almost dance with joy. And are glad, when they can find the grave. Job speaks as if he knew of such cases; and, no doubt, the fact of suicide proves that among men there are some who prefer to die rather than live. But suicides are seldom altogether in possession of their senses. Of sane men it may be doubted whether one in a thousand, however miserable, really wishes to die, or is "glad when he can find the grave." In such thoughts as those to which Job here gives expression there is something morbid and unreal.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
who rejoice
הַשְּׂמֵחִ֥ים (haś·śə·mê·ḥîm)
Article | Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 8055: To brighten up, be, blithe, gleesome

and greatly
גִ֑יל (ḡîl)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1524: A revolution, joy

exult
יָ֝שִׂ֗ישׂוּ (yā·śî·śū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 7797: To be bright, cheerful

when
כִּ֣י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

they can find
יִמְצְאוּ־ (yim·ṣə·’ū-)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 4672: To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be present

the grave?
קָֽבֶר׃ (qā·ḇer)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6913: A grave, sepulcher


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OT Poetry: Job 3:22 Who rejoice exceedingly and are glad when (Jb)
Job 3:21
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