Job 14:1-10

Job Speaks of the Finality of Death

1 "1Man, who is born of woman, Is short-lived * and 2full of turmoil.
2 "3Like a flower he comes forth and withers. He also flees like 4a shadow and does not remain.
3 "You also 5open Your eyes on him And 6bring him into judgment with Yourself.
4 "7Who can make the clean out of the unclean? No one!
5 "Since his days are determined, The 8number of his months is with You; And his limits You have set so that he cannot pass.
6 "9Turn Your gaze from him that he may rest, Until he fulfills his day like a hired man.
7 "For there is hope for a tree, When it is cut down, that it will sprout again, And its shoots will not fail.
8 "Though its roots grow old in the ground And its stump dies in the dry soil,
9 At the scent of water it will flourish And put forth sprigs like a plant.
10 "But 10man dies and lies prostrate. Man 11expires, and where is he?

Job 14:1-10 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JOB 14

Job, having turned himself from his friends to God, continues his address to him in this chapter; wherein he discourses of the frailty of man, the shortness of his life, the troubles that are in it, the sinfulness of it, and its limited duration, beyond which it cannot continue; all which he makes use of with God, that he would not therefore deal rigorously with him, but have pity on him, and cease from severely afflicting him, till he came to the end of his days, which could not be long, Job 14:1-6; he observes of a tree, when it is cut down to the root, yea, when the root is become old, and the stock dies, it will, by means of being watered, bud and sprout again, and produce boughs and branches; but man, like the failing waters of the sea, and the decayed and dried up flood, when he dies, rises not, till the heavens be no more, Job 14:7-12; and then he wishes to be hid in the grave till that time, and expresses hope and belief of the resurrection of the dead, Job 14:13-15; and goes on to complain of the strict notice God took of his sins, of his severe dealings with men, destroying their hope in life, and removing them by death; so that they see and know not the case and circumstances of their children they leave behind, and while they live have continual pain and sorrow, Job 14:16-22.

Cross References 11

  • 1. Job 5:7
  • 2. Ecclesiastes 2:23
  • 3. Psalms 90:5, 6; Psalms 103:15; Isaiah 40:6, 7; James 1:10; 1 Peter 1:24
  • 4. Job 8:9
  • 5. Psalms 8:4; Psalms 144:3
  • 6. Psalms 143:2
  • 7. Job 15:14; Job 25:4; Psalms 51:5
  • 8. Job 21:21
  • 9. Job 7:19; Psalms 39:13
  • 10. Job 3:13; Job 14:10-15
  • 11. Job 13:9

Footnotes 6

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