Job 3:6
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.
Job 3:6 · King James Version
Meaning
The verse "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." is a powerful and poetic expression found in the Book of Job in the Bible. This verse reflects a sentiment of wishing for a particular night to be forgotten or erased from time. It conveys a deep sense of despair and a desire to separate a dark and troubling night from the rest of the days and months. In the context of the Book of Job, this verse comes at a moment of profound suffering and anguish for the protagonist, Job, who is grappling with the trials and tribulations of life. The verse captures the intensity of emotion and the longing for relief from pain and sorrow. It serves as a poignant reminder of the struggles and challenges faced by individuals in their faith journeys, and the enduring hope for redemption and light to overcome darkness.
Theological Overview
The verse you are referring to, from Job 3:6, demonstrates the profound despair felt by Job as he laments his own existence. Job is expressing a desire for a particular night to be wiped from the calendar, erased from the passage of time. This sentiment can be understood in a theological context as a cry for relief from suffering, a yearning for a chance to escape the darkness and anguish that fills his life. The language in this verse is intense and poetic, illustrating the deep emotional turmoil Job is experiencing. Through a word study, we can see that the use of "darkness" symbolizes not only physical obscurity but also spiritual desolation. By praying for this night to be cut off from the days and months, Job is showing a desire to be removed from the painful cycle of days and months that make up his existence. Overall, this verse offers a glimpse into the profound struggles of humanity and the longing for relief in the midst of suffering.
Job 3:6 in other translations
American Standard Version
As for that night, let thick darkness seize upon it: Let it not rejoice among the days of the year; Let it not come into the number of the months.
World English Bible
As for that night, let thick darkness seize on it. Let it not rejoice among the days of the year. Let it not come into the number of the months.
Douay-Rheims
Let a darksome whirlwind seize upon that night, let it not be counted in the days of the year, nor numbered in the months.
Geneva Bible (1599)
Let darkenesse possesse that night, let it not be ioyned vnto the dayes of the yeere, nor let it come into the count of the moneths.