There the wicked cease from ragingIn this phrase, Job is expressing a longing for death as a place of peace, contrasting it with the turmoil of life. The "wicked" refers to those who cause suffering and injustice. In the context of the ancient Near East, societal structures often allowed the powerful to oppress the weak, and Job's lament reflects a desire for divine justice. Biblically, this echoes themes found in Psalms and Proverbs, where the ultimate downfall of the wicked is assured (
Psalm 37:10,
Proverbs 24:19-20). The cessation of "raging" suggests a finality to the chaos and evil that the wicked perpetuate, aligning with prophetic visions of a future where God establishes peace and righteousness (
Isaiah 11:6-9).
and there the weary find rest
This phrase highlights the hope for relief from suffering and toil. The "weary" can be seen as those burdened by life's hardships, a common theme in Job's narrative. In the historical context, labor was physically demanding, and rest was a precious commodity. Theologically, this rest can be seen as a type of the eternal rest promised to believers, as referenced inHebrews 4:9-11. The concept of rest is also tied to the Sabbath, a divine ordinance for physical and spiritual renewal (Exodus 20:8-11). In the New Testament, Jesus offers rest to the weary and burdened, symbolizing spiritual peace and salvation (Matthew 11:28-30). This connection underscores the hope of ultimate rest in God's presence, free from the trials of earthly life.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
JobA man described as blameless and upright, who feared God and shunned evil. He is the central figure in the Book of Job, experiencing intense suffering and questioning the reasons behind it.
2.
The WickedRefers to those who act in opposition to God's will. In this context, they are those who cause turmoil and unrest in the world.
3.
The WearyThose who are exhausted from life's burdens and struggles. In Job's lament, they represent individuals seeking relief from their suffering.
4.
The Place of RestSymbolically refers to the grave or the afterlife, where earthly struggles and conflicts cease.
5.
Job's LamentThe event of Job expressing his deep anguish and desire for relief from his suffering, questioning the purpose of his life amidst his trials.
Teaching Points
Understanding SufferingJob 3:17 highlights the reality of suffering in a fallen world. It encourages believers to acknowledge their pain and seek God amidst their trials.
The Hope of RestThis verse points to the ultimate rest found in God, reminding Christians of the eternal peace promised to those who trust in Him.
The End of WickednessThe cessation of the wicked's raging serves as a reminder of God's justice and the eventual triumph of righteousness.
Empathy for the WearyAs believers, we are called to support and comfort those who are weary, reflecting Christ's compassion and offering hope.
Eternal PerspectiveJob's lament encourages us to maintain an eternal perspective, focusing on the hope of heaven where suffering ceases.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Job 3:17?
2.How does Job 3:17 reflect Job's desire for peace and rest?
3.What does "the wicked cease from turmoil" teach about God's justice?
4.How can Job 3:17 encourage those facing suffering today?
5.What other scriptures discuss rest for the weary and troubled?
6.How can believers find peace amidst life's struggles, as Job sought?
7.What does Job 3:17 reveal about the afterlife according to the Bible?
8.How does Job 3:17 reflect on the concept of rest after death?
9.Why does Job express a desire for death in Job 3:17?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Job 3?
11.In Job 5:3, how could a fool suddenly flourish only to be cursed, and does this reflect any historical or archeological anomaly?
12.Given Job 16:17, how does the text account for Job's apparent sinlessness despite broader biblical teachings that 'all have sinned' (Romans 3:23)?
13.In Job 12:6, how does the idea that 'the tents of robbers are at peace' harmonize with other scriptures that insist the wicked are eventually punished?
14.In Job 21:29-31, why does the community seem to uphold or admire the wicked instead of condemning them, and how does this align with other biblical portrayals of evildoers?What Does Job 3:17 Mean
There- Job’s single word points to a specific destination: the grave, often called Sheol (Job 10:21-22;Psalm 88:3-6).
- For Job, “there” is not imaginary but literal—a place every person will eventually reach (Ecclesiastes 3:20).
- The certainty of this location anchors the rest of the verse; all that follows happens “there,” not here.
the wicked cease from raging- Death ends the outward fury of those who oppressed and terrified others (Psalm 37:10;Isaiah 14:9-11).
- Job is observing that even hardened aggressors meet a boundary they cannot cross; their violence stops at the grave (Job 3:18).
- For the righteous sufferer, that truth brings a strange comfort: the bullies’ last word is silenced by God-ordained limits (Psalm 46:9).
and there- The repeated phrase stresses equality: both tyrant and victim share the same address after death (Ecclesiastes 12:7).
- It underscores that God—not human strength—decides who dwells where and how long (1 Samuel 2:6;Hebrews 9:27).
- No hierarchy survives “there”; earthly titles and terrors are left behind.
the weary find rest- Job identifies himself with “the weary”—those worn down by suffering, toil, and sorrow (Matthew 11:28).
- In the grave, the relentless grind of pain and labor finally pauses (Revelation 14:13;Hebrews 4:9-10).
- The statement is descriptive, not prescriptive; Job longs for relief, yet Scripture elsewhere reveals that ultimate, eternal rest is granted through faith in the Lord (John 11:25-26).
summaryJob 3:17 paints death as a boundary God has fixed. On that side, the violent lose their power and the exhausted gain relief. While Job is voicing deep anguish, the verse still confirms timeless truths: God limits evil, grants rest to the worn-out, and equalizes all humanity in the grave—reminding believers that final justice and lasting peace lie in His hands.
(17)
There--i.e., in the grave, the place indicated, but not distinctly expressed.
Verse 17. -
There. The word has no expressed antecedent, but the general tenor of the passage supplies one. "There" is equivalent to "in the grave."
The wicked cease from troubling;
i.e." cease from their state of continual perturbation and unrest" (comp.
Isaiah 57:20, "But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt "). This is their condition, so long as they live; nothing satisfies them; they are always in trouble themselves, and always causing trouble to others. In the grave alone do they rest, or seem to rest. And there the weary be at rest; literally,
the weary in strength or "in respect of strength;"
i.e. those whose strength is utterly exhausted and worn out. Here Job undoubtedly alludes to himself. He looks to the grave as his only refuge, the only hope he has of recovering peace and tranquillity.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
Thereשָׁ֣ם(šām)Adverb
Strong's 8033:There, then, thitherthe wickedרְ֭שָׁעִים(rə·šā·‘îm)Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 7563:Wrong, an, bad personceaseחָ֣דְלוּ(ḥā·ḏə·lū)Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 2308:To be flabby, desist, be lacking, idlefrom raging,רֹ֑גֶז(rō·ḡez)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7267:Commotion, restlessness, crash, disquiet, angerand thereוְשָׁ֥ם(wə·šām)Conjunctive waw | Adverb
Strong's 8033:There, then, thitherthe wearyיְגִ֣יעֵי(yə·ḡî·‘ê)Adjective - masculine plural construct
Strong's 3019:Tiredfind rest.יָ֝נ֗וּחוּ(yā·nū·ḥū)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5117:To rest, settle down
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OT Poetry: Job 3:17 There the wicked cease from troubling (Jb) 
