Job – Chapter 3

Old Testament26 Verses

Chapter Summary

Job 3 opens with the words: "After this, Job opened his mouth, and cursed his day," Job stands at the center of this chapter. Across its 26 verses, two threads run through the text: worship and praise and justice and care for the poor. Taken as a whole, the chapter forms one movement in the account, preparing what follows and completing what came before.

1After this, Job opened his mouth, and cursed his day,

2And he said:

3Let the day perish wherein I was born, and the night in which it was said: A man child is conceived.

4Let that day be turned into darkness, let not God regard it from above, and let not the light shine upon it.

5Let darkness, and the shadow of death, cover it, let a mist overspread it, and let it be wrapped up in bitterness.

6Let a darksome whirlwind seize upon that night, let it not be counted in the days of the year, nor numbered in the months.

7Let that night be solitary, and not worthy of praise.

8Let them curse it who curse the day, who are ready to raise up a leviathan:

9Let the stars be darkened with the mist thereof: let it expect light, and not see it, nor the rising of the dawning of the day:

10Because it shut not up the doors of the womb that bore me, nor took away evils from my eyes.

11Why did I not die in the womb? why did I not perish when I came out of the belly?

12Why received upon the knees? why suckled at the breasts?

13For now I should have been asleep and still, and should have rest in my sleep:

14With kings and consuls of the earth, who build themselves solitudes:

15Or with princes, that possess gold, and fill their houses with silver:

16Or as a hidden untimely birth, I should not be; or as they that, being conceived, have not seen the light.

17There the wicked cease from tumult, and there the wearied in strength are at rest.

18And they sometime bound together without disquiet, have not heard the voice of the oppressor.

19The small and great are there, and the servant is free from his master.

20Why is light given to him that is in misery, and life to them that are in bitterness of soul?

21That look for death, and it cometh not, as they that dig for a treasure:

22And they rejoice exceedingly when they have found the grave?

23To a man whose way is hidden, and God hath surrounded him with darkness?

24Before I eat I sigh: and as overflowing waters, so is my roaring:

25For the fear which I feared, hath come upon me: and that which I was afraid of, hath befallen me.

26Have I not dissembled? have I not kept silence? have I not been quiet? and indignation is come upon me.

Important Verses in Job 3

After this, Job opened his mouth, and cursed his day,

Job 3:1

Let that day be turned into darkness, let not God regard it from above, and let not the light shine upon it.

Job 3:4

Why is light given to him that is in misery, and life to them that are in bitterness of soul?

Job 3:20

To a man whose way is hidden, and God hath surrounded him with darkness?

Job 3:23

Historical Context

Job belongs to the Old Testament and was composed for all who wrestle with the mystery of suffering and God's justice. Chapter 3 of 42 belongs to the early movement of the book, where the narrative or argument is still unfolding. It is a wisdom instruction on how to live before God in ordinary circumstances with 26 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. Historical attention falls on Job, the principal figures named in this chapter. It opens with the line: "After this, Job opened his mouth, and cursed his day," It concludes: "Have I not dissembled? have I not kept silence? have I not been quiet? and indignation is come upon me. " In terms of historical background, Job confronts the deepest human question: why do the innocent suffer? Catholic tradition dates the book to the period described in its introduction: Uncertain; commonly dated between the 7th and 4th centuries BC.

Who Wrote It

Unknown inspired poet of Israel

When It Was Written

Uncertain; commonly dated between the 7th and 4th centuries BC

Catholic Commentary

The literal sense presents maxims, observations, or arguments meant to form character and discernment. A pivotal line is verse 1: "After this, Job opened his mouth, and cursed his day," The passage repeatedly touches on worship and praise.

Catholic exegesis reads Job 3 within the unity of Scripture and Tradition. the Church sees Job as prefiguring Christ in innocent suffering (CIC 1502). St. Basil the Great and other Fathers of the Church saw in texts like this a preparation for or reflection of Christ, the center of revelation (CIC 461).

Applied to the life of faith, the passage supports the Church's conviction that God's ways transcend human understanding. Whether read privately or heard in the liturgy, Job 3 calls for a response of faith, repentance, and charity.

Main Teachings

  • Worship is the heart of the covenant: giving God the praise and adoration that are His due.
  • God defends the poor and the oppressed, and calls His people to act with justice.
  • Sin has real consequences, but God's judgment always aims at conversion and restoration.

People in This Chapter

Job1 mention

Reflection for Today

The early section of Job—Chapter 3 of 42—opens a particular moment in the story of suffering, faith, and divine mystery.

According to Catholic teaching, the Church sees Job as prefiguring Christ in innocent suffering (CIC 1502). This chapter especially highlights Mary and the communion of saints, a theme the Catechism develops in relation to the whole of revelation (CIC 26).

Consider praying with this chapter again at day's end, offering God gratitude for one insight received. The Church encourages daily contact with Scripture (CIC 265) so that Christ's mind may be formed in us.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Job Chapter 3 about?

Job 3 contains 26 verses. It opens with "After this, Job opened his mouth, and cursed his day," and closes with "Have I not dissembled? have I not kept silence? have I not been quiet? and indignation is come upon me. ". The book as a whole is wisdom literature in poetic dialogue.

What is a key verse in Job 3?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "After this, Job opened his mouth, and cursed his day," It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Job Chapter 3?

This chapter mentions Job.

Who wrote Job and when?

Unknown inspired poet of Israel. Uncertain; commonly dated between the 7th and 4th centuries BC.

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