Job 3:5

The shadow of death. Hebrew sabnaweth. Some scholars change the vowel pointings to read sabnuth, and translate it “deep darkness” (see RSV). Sabnuth is regarded as the strongest word in the Hebrew language expressing the idea of darkness (see Job 10:21, 22; 12:22; 16:16; 24:17; 34:22; Isaiah 9:2; Jeremiah 2:6; Amos 5:8). Other scholars see insufficient reason for departing from the traditional vowel pointings, which are supported by the LXX, and retain the translation “shadow of death.”

Stain. From the Hebrew ga’al, “to redeem,” “to act as kinsman.” Here probably in the sense of “to claim.” The word also has the meaning, “to stain” or “to pollute.” Both meanings give sense to the passage, but the former gives the more vivid imagery. The night, as next of kin to the day, would immediately upon the arrival of day claim it for itself. For a discussion of the meaning of ga’al in this sense see on Ruth 2:20.

Cloud. Let clouds, condensed, compacted, heaped together, settle down upon it. This is another way of expressing the idea of darkness that the poet is endeavoring to stress.

Blackness of the day. Probably a reference to eclipses, tornadoes, or sandstorms such as would darken a day.