The answer is: His birth

Job 3:1 - Job wished he had never been born

In the Book of Job, we find this profound character grappling with immense suffering, and in his anguish, he expresses a wish that echoes a sentiment as old as humanity itself—the agony of existence. In Job 3:1, he laments his birth, wishing he had never been brought into the world. This is a striking moment that uncovers the depth of his despair.

What’s fascinating is that Job's plight isn't just a personal sorrow; it taps into universal themes of suffering and existential questioning. His lament is often compared to similar expressions found throughout literature and poetry where the idea of wishing to escape life’s hardships resonates—think of Hamlet’s famous "To be, or not to be."

Job’s speeches do not just convey his hurt; they invite readers to ponder the relationship between suffering and existence itself. By wishing he had never existed, Job raises important questions about the purpose of life and suffering. But did you know that in ancient Near Eastern literature, such lamentations were common themes? They might also remind you of other biblical echoes, such as Jeremiah’s lamentation in the book of Lamentations, where the pain of existence similarly drives one to despair.

Through Job, readers find not just sorrow but also resilience, as the work ultimately leads to profound discussions about divine justice, morality, and human endurance. Such moments of lament may feel deeply personal, yet they resonate across time as shared human experiences.