Job 3:26
I was not in safety, neither had I rest, neither was I quiet; yet trouble came.
Original Language Analysis
לֹ֤א
H3808
לֹ֤א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
1 of 8
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
שָׁלַ֨וְתִּי׀
I was not in safety
H7951
שָׁלַ֨וְתִּי׀
I was not in safety
Strong's:
H7951
Word #:
2 of 8
to be tranquil, i.e., secure or successful
וְלֹ֖א
H3808
וְלֹ֖א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
3 of 8
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
וְֽלֹא
H3808
וְֽלֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
5 of 8
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
נָ֗חְתִּי
neither was I quiet
H5117
נָ֗חְתִּי
neither was I quiet
Strong's:
H5117
Word #:
6 of 8
to rest, i.e., settle down; used in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, intransitive, transitive and causative (to dwell, stay, l
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern wisdom literature often portrayed the righteous as enjoying complete peace and security. Job's admission that even in prosperity he lacked inner peace is remarkably honest and countercultural.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you reconcile righteousness with the absence of perfect inner peace?
- What does Job's honest admission teach us about realistic expectations for the Christian life?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Job concludes, 'I was not in safety, neither had I rest, neither was I quiet; yet trouble came.' Even before his calamities, Job lacked peace—suggesting either prescient unease or ongoing spiritual struggle. The three negatives (no safety, no rest, no quiet) build toward the climax: 'yet trouble came' anyway. The Hebrew 'rogez' (trouble/turmoil) suggests violent agitation. Job's admission reveals that even model righteousness doesn't produce perfect psychological peace in this fallen world.