Job 14:7

7 For there is hope for a tree, even if it should be cut down, it shall blossom again, and its branch shall not fail.

Job 14:7 Meaning and Commentary

Job 14:7

For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will
sprout again
That is, if it be cut down to the root, and only the stump of the root is left in the ground, as the tree in Nebuchadnezzar's dream, ( Daniel 4:15 ) , yet the owner of it may entertain a hope that it is not utterly destroyed, but will bud out again; or "change" ^F19 its state and condition, and become flourishing again: or "renew" ^F20 itself; and its strength, and put out new shoots and branches; either it will rise up into a new body, as the laurel, as Pliny ^F21 relates, or produce new sprouts as the willow, alder tree, and others; for this is not true of every tree, though it may be of many; for it is ^F23 reported of the cypress tree, when cut down, it never sprouts out any more, unless in one place, in Aenaria; but since this is the case of some, it is sufficient to Job's purpose:

and that the tender branch thereof will not cease;
from shooting out; or "its suckers will not cease" ^F24; which may be observed frequently to grow out of the roots of trees, even of those that are cut down, such as above mentioned.

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FOOTNOTES:

F19 (Pylxy) "mutabit se", Drusius; "conditionem suam", Piscator.
F20 "Renovat se", Schmidt.
F21 Nat. Hist. apud Pinedam in loc.
F23 Servius in Virgil. Aeneid. l. 3. p. 681. Plin. Nat. Hist. l. 16. c. 33.
F24 (wtqnwy) "sugensque ejus surculus", Schultens.

Job 14:7 In-Context

5 if even his life should be one day upon the earth: and his months are numbered by him: thou hast appointed for a time, and he shall by no means exceed .

6 Depart from him, that he may be quiet, and take pleasure in his life, as a hireling.

7 For there is hope for a tree, even if it should be cut down, it shall blossom again, and its branch shall not fail.

8 For though its root should grow old in the earth, and its stem die in the rock;

9 it will blossom from the scent of water, and will produce a crop, as one newly planted.