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Job 3:20

Wherefore is light given to him that is in misery, and life unto the bitter in soul;

KJV

Quare misero data est lux, et vita his qui in amaritudine animæ sunt :

Vulgate

ἵνα τί γὰρ δέδοται τοῖς ἐν πικρίᾳ φῶς, ζωὴ δὲ ταῖς ἐν ὀδύναις ψυχαῖς;

LXX

Wherefore is light given to him that is in misery, And life unto the bitter in soul;

ASV

לָ֤/מָּה יִתֵּ֣ן לְ/עָמֵ֣ל א֑וֹר וְ֝/חַיִּ֗ים לְ/מָ֣רֵי נָֽפֶשׁ

Hebrew

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In the original Hebrew

7 distinct Hebrew words appear in this verse.

א֣וֹר
'vr
noun · 120×
חַי
chy
verb · 502×
י
y
noun · 752×
ם
m
verb · 1995×
מַה
mh
particle · 745×
מַר
mr
verb · 39×
עָמֵ֖ל
'ml
noun · 9×

Historic Christian voices

4 passages from patristic writers, Reformers, and church catechisms citing this verse.

Cross-references

  • 1Sam 1:10 — And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore.
  • Gen 30:1 — And when Rachel saw that she bare Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister; and said unto Jacob, Give me children, or else I die.
  • Jer 20:18 — Wherefore came I forth out of the womb to see labour and sorrow, that my days should be consumed with shame?
  • Jer 20:18 — Wherefore came I forth out of the womb to see labour and sorrow, that my days should be consumed with shame?
  • Job 6:9 — Even that it would please God to destroy me; that he would let loose his hand, and cut me off!
  • Job 7:15 — So that my soul chooseth strangling, and death rather than my life.
  • Job 40:2 — Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him? he that reproveth God, let him answer it.
  • Jonah 4:3 — Therefore now, O LORD, take, I beseech thee, my life from me; for it is better for me to die than to live.
  • Prov 31:6 — Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.
  • Prov 31:6 — Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.
  • Rev 9:6 — And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them.