Job 3:11
Why died I not from the womb? why did I not give up the ghost when I came out of the belly?
Original Language Analysis
לָ֤מָּה
H4100
לָ֤מָּה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
1 of 7
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
לֹּ֣א
H3808
לֹּ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
2 of 7
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
אָמ֑וּת
Why died
H4191
אָמ֑וּת
Why died
Strong's:
H4191
Word #:
4 of 7
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
מִבֶּ֖טֶן
of the belly
H990
מִבֶּ֖טֶן
of the belly
Strong's:
H990
Word #:
5 of 7
the belly, especially the womb; also the bosom or body of anything
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern cultures viewed stillbirth and infant mortality as common but tragic. Job's wish for death at birth subverts the cultural assumption that life is always preferable to non-existence.
Questions for Reflection
- What questions do you have for God that seem unanswerable?
- How can questioning God actually be an act of faith rather than doubt?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Job's rhetorical questions 'Why died I not from the womb?' reveal the depth of his torment. The interrogative form demands answers from God while acknowledging there are none readily apparent. This tension between questioning and faith characterizes the entire book - honest doubt does not equal unbelief.