Job 3:21

19 Both small and great are there, and the slave is freed from his master.

20 Why is light given to the miserable, and life to the bitter of soul,

who long for death that does not come, and search for it like hidden treasure,

22 who rejoice and greatly exult when they can find the grave?

23 Why is life given to a man whose way is hidden, whom God has hedged in?

Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
who long for death that does not come, and search for it like hidden treasure,
KJV
Which long for death, but it cometh not; and dig for it more than for hid treasures;
WEB
who long for death, but it doesn’t come; and dig for it more than for hidden treasures,
ASV
Who long for death, but it cometh not, And dig for it more than for hid treasures;
DARBY
Who long for death, and it [cometh] not, and dig for it more than for hidden treasures;
BLB
those waiting for death and there is none, and those digging for it more than hidden treasures,
ÅB
dem som venter på døden uten at den kommer, og som leter etter den ivrigere enn etter skjulte skatter,
OTB
til de som lengter etter døden, men den kommer ikke,
og graver etter den mer enn etter skjulte skatter,
B1930
dem som venter på døden uten at den kommer, og som leter efter den ivrigere enn efter skjulte skatter,

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Revelation 9:6

    In those days men will seek death and will not find it; they will long to die, but death will escape them.

    Read in context
  • Proverbs 2:4

    if you seek it like silver and search it out like hidden treasure,

    Read in context
  • Numbers 11:15

    If this is how You are going to treat me, please kill me right now—if I have found favor in Your eyes—and let me not see my own wretchedness.”

    Read in context
  • Jonah 4:8

    As the sun was rising, God appointed a scorching east wind, and the sun beat down on Jonah’s head so that he grew faint and wished to die, saying, “It is better for me to die than to live.”

    Read in context
  • 1 Kings 19:4

    while he himself traveled on a day’s journey into the wilderness. He sat down under a broom tree and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, LORD,” he said. “Take my life, for I am no better than my fathers.”

    Read in context
  • Jonah 4:3

    And now, O LORD, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live.”

    Read in context