Ratapan Tanpa Resolusi: Analisis Komparatif Ayub 3 dalam Konfrontasinya dengan Struktur Mazmur Ratapan

Abstract

Lamentation is one of the ways humans communicate with God, frequently found in the Bible, particularly in the books of Psalms and Job. However, previous studies have rarely provided a focused comparative analysis between Job 3 and the Psalms of Lament, especially in exploring how a lament that lacks explicit elements of hope or petition can be situated within the theological framework of the Old Testament. This article seeks to conduct an interpretive study of Job 3 by comparing it with Psalms of Lament 13, 22, and 88 in order to understand its structure, language style, and theological implications within the concepts of suffering and faith. The study employs a qualitative method with an exegetical-comparative approach to the Hebrew text of Job 3. Structural, formal, and rhetorical analyses of the text are carried out interpretively and then contrasted with Psalms 13, 22, and 88 as primary comparative lament texts to identify both theological and literary similarities and differences. The findings reveal that Job’s lament differs significantly from the Psalms of Lament. While the Psalms are directed toward God and move toward hope, Job’s lament in chapter 3 is introspective, makes minimal reference to God, offers no resolution of hope, and conveys a darker emotional tone. These findings contribute to the study of the lament genre in the Old Testament by identifying the presence of an existential sub-genre of lament, while also offering a theological framework for understanding authentic expressions of faith amid suffering, which remains relevant for contemporary religious communities.