Job 14 Footnotes

14:1-4 Skeptical observations that Job’s remarks indicate that women are unclean are without foundation. Some ancient cultures viewed the birth process as conferring ritual uncleanness (Lv 12:1-8; Lk 2:22), but this did not mean that women, as such, were “unclean.”

14:13-15 Although critical opinion discounts any belief in personal immortality here, Job’s words can express such an underlying hope. The word translated “wait” (v. 14) is the same word used in 13:15 for “hope,” indicating full trust in God. The word translated “relief” (14:14) occurs commonly for change of garments (Jdg 14:12-13). Thus Job’s condition will be changed from misery to life and renewed fellowship with God, as indicated in the “call/answer” motif (e.g., Ps 102:1-2; Is 65:24). Belief in immortality is attested to in the OT (e.g., Ps 49:14-15; Dn 12:2).