KJV ORIGINAL
Why did the knees prevent me? or why the breasts that I should suck?
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
Why did knees receive me when I was born? Why were there breasts ready to nurse me?
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE
Job is asking why anyone was there to care for him as a newborn baby, wishing he had died at birth instead of living to face such suffering.
📚 Historical Context
This comes from Job's first speech after seven days of silence following the loss of his children, wealth, and health. In ancient times, a midwife or family member would place a newborn on their knees to receive them, and nursing was essential for survival. Job is lamenting that he survived these vulnerable early moments.
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