Job 14:13-17

13 "Oh * that You would hide me in Sheol, That You would conceal me 1until 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 2the work of Your hands.
16 "For now You 3number my steps, You do not 4observe my sin.
17 "My transgression is 5sealed up in a bag, And You wrap up my iniquity.

Job 14:13-17 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 5

  • 1. Isaiah 26:20
  • 2. Job 10:3
  • 3. Job 31:4; Job 34:21; Psalms 139:1-3; Proverbs 5:21
  • 4. Job 10:6
  • 5. Deuteronomy 32:32-34

Footnotes 2

  • [a]. I.e. the nether world
  • [b]. Lit "plaster;" or "glue together"
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