Old Testament
Job 3:8
Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.
Let those who curse the day curse it — those who are ready to rouse Leviathan.
Compare translations
Let them curse it that curse the day, who are ready to raise up their mourning.
What Job 3:8 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In Job 3:8, Job expresses his deep anguish and desire for the day of his birth to be cursed. He refers to those who are ready to rouse Leviathan, a symbol of chaos and destruction, suggesting that cursing the day is akin to unleashing great turmoil. Job feels that the day he was born brought him nothing but suffering, and he wishes that it had never existed. The mention of Leviathan indicates a confrontation with powerful forces, reflecting Job's struggle against the overwhelming nature of his grief and despair. This verse captures the intensity of Job's emotions as he grapples with his suffering and questions the purpose of his existence. It highlights the theme of lamentation and the desire to confront the forces of chaos in life, illustrating the depth of human suffering and the longing for relief from pain.
How to apply Job 3:8 to your life
Job's lament in this verse reminds us that it's okay to express our pain and frustration during difficult times. When we face suffering, we can acknowledge our feelings honestly. This can lead to healing and understanding, as we seek support from others and find ways to cope with our struggles.
Curated for this public verse page. Job Summary
Learn the Bible through its people and places
Get to know the people in Scripture through illustrated stories, and explore the places where they lived and traveled.
Illustrated scene from Job's story: Job Curses His Day (Job 3:1–26)
Meet the people of the Bible
Follow their lives in order, with illustrated scenes and Bible passages that tell their stories.
Job
Photo: Deror Avi, via Wikimedia Commons. License: CC BY-SA 4.0. Source. Location: Tel Shiloh archaeological site, West Bank. Resized for the web.
Explore the places of the Bible
See where biblical events happened, why each place matters, and what archaeology helps us understand.
Shiloh
Where Israel set up the tabernacle, and where God called the boy Samuel.
Get full access with one subscription
Explore the people and places of the Bible. Read summaries of every book, with images and clear explanations covering every chapter. Access all these features and our Bible study tools with one subscription.
See PlansAsk AI about Job 3:8
Ask a question about this verse and get a clear answer, with Bible references you can read for yourself.
Every Bible book, explained chapter by chapter
Explore summaries of every book of the Bible, with images and easy-to-understand explanations covering every chapter.
Keep studying Job 3:8
Related Bible verses
At a Glance — the Book of Job
- Author
- Author unknown; events likely in the patriarchal era
- Written
- Date debated
- Genre
- Wisdom literature
- Original Audience
- All who suffer or question God
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Job 3:8 mean?
In Job 3:8, Job wishes for the day of his birth to be cursed, expressing his deep sorrow and regret over his existence. He connects this desire to the chaotic figure of Leviathan, indicating that cursing the day is akin to unleashing turmoil and suffering.
What is the significance of Leviathan in Job 3:8?
Leviathan in Job 3:8 symbolizes chaos and destruction. By mentioning Leviathan, Job highlights the overwhelming nature of his grief and the powerful forces he feels are at play in his suffering.
How does Job express his pain in Job 3:8?
Job expresses his pain in Job 3:8 by wishing for the day of his birth to be cursed, indicating his profound anguish and desire to confront the chaos that his suffering has brought.
What themes are present in Job 3:8?
Job 3:8 presents themes of suffering, lamentation, chaos, despair, and existential questioning, illustrating the depth of human pain and the longing for relief.
Daily Verse — straight to your inbox
A verse and a 2-sentence plain-English explanation, every morning. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.