Job 7:2 Like a slave longing for the evening shadows, or a hired laborer waiting to be paid,

◄ Job 7:2 ►

Parallel Verses

New International Version
Like a slave longing for the evening shadows, or a hired laborer waiting to be paid,

English Standard Version
Like a slave who longs for the shadow, and like a hired hand who looks for his wages,

New American Standard Bible
"As a slave who pants for the shade, And as a hired man who eagerly waits for his wages,

King James Bible
As a servant earnestly desireth the shadow, and as an hireling looketh for the reward of his work:

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Like a slave he longs for shade; like a hired man he waits for his pay.

International Standard Version
I'm like a servant who longs for the shade, like a hired laborer who is looking for his wages.

American Standard Version
As a servant that earnestly desireth the shadow, And as a hireling that looketh for his wages:

Douay-Rheims Bible
As a servant longeth for the shade, as the hireling looketh for the end of his work;

Darby Bible Translation
As a bondman earnestly desireth the shadow, and a hireling expecteth his wages,

Young's Literal Translation
As a servant desireth the shadow, And as a hireling expecteth his wage,

Commentaries

Matthew Henry's Commentary

7:1-6 Job here excuses what he could not justify, his desire of death. Observe man's present place: he is upon earth. He is yet on earth, not in hell. Is there not a time appointed for his abode here? yes, certainly, and the appointment is made by Him who made us and sent us here. During that, man's life is a warfare, and as day-labourers, who have the work of the day to do in its day, and must make up their account at night. Job had as much reason, he thought, to wish for death, as a poor servant that is tired with his work, has to wish for the shadows of the evening, when he shall go to rest. The sleep of the labouring man is sweet; nor can any rich man take so much satisfaction in his wealth, as the hireling in his day's wages. The comparison is plain; hear his complaint: His days were useless, and had long been so; but when we are not able to work for God, if we sit still quietly for him, we shall be accepted. His nights were restless. Whatever is grievous, it is good to see it appointed for us, and as designed for some holy end. When we have comfortable nights, we must see them also appointed to us, and be thankful for them. His body was noisome. See what vile bodies we have. His life was hastening apace. While we are living, every day, like the shuttle, leaves a thread behind: many weave the spider's web, which will fail, ch. 8:14. But if, while we live, we live unto the Lord, in works of faith and labours of love, we shall have the benefit, for every man shall reap as he sowed, and wear as he wove.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

2. earnestly desireth—Hebrew, "pants for the [evening] shadow." Easterners measure time by the length of their shadow. If the servant longs for the evening when his wages are paid, why may not Job long for the close of his hard service, when he shall enter on his "reward?" This proves that Job did not, as many maintain, regard the grave as a mere sleep.