Job 14:7-17

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 1man dies and lies prostrate. Man 2expires, and where is he?
11 "As 3water evaporates from the sea, And a river becomes parched and dried up,
12 So 4man lies down and does not rise. Until the heavens are no longer, He will not awake nor be aroused out of his sleep.
13 "Oh * that You would hide me in Sheol, That You would conceal me 5until Your wrath returns to You, That You would set a limit for me and remember me!
14 "If a man dies, will he live again? All the days of my struggle I will wait Until my change comes.
15 "You will call, and I will answer You; You will long for 6the work of Your hands.
16 "For now You 7number my steps, You do not 8observe my sin.
17 "My transgression is 9sealed up in a bag, And You wrap up my iniquity.

Job 14:7-17 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 9

  • 1. Job 3:13; Job 14:10-15
  • 2. Job 13:9
  • 3. Isaiah 19:5
  • 4. Job 3:13
  • 5. Isaiah 26:20
  • 6. Job 10:3
  • 7. Job 31:4; Job 34:21; Psalms 139:1-3; Proverbs 5:21
  • 8. Job 10:6
  • 9. Deuteronomy 32:32-34

Footnotes 6

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