Job 14:8

8 Its roots may grow old in the ground and its stump die in the soil,

Job 14:8 in Other Translations

8 Though the root thereof wax old in the earth, and the stock thereof die in the ground;

8 Though its root grow old in the earth, and its stump die in the soil,

8 Though its roots have grown old in the earth and its stump decays,

8 Even if its roots are old and gnarled, its stump long dormant,

8 If its roots grow old in the ground and its stump starts to die in the soil,

Job 14:8 Meaning and Commentary

Job 14:8

Though the root thereof wax old in the earth
Lies long there, and is become dry, and seems to be consumed, on which account there may be the less hope of its flourishing:

and the stock thereof die in the ground;
which may make it still more improbable; for this is not to be understood with some interpreters ^F25 of the stock or trunk of the tree cut down, and lying along on the earth, and in the dust of it; though it may be observed, that even such a stock or trunk, separated from the root, and as it lies along, will sprout again, as particularly in elms: but it may rather mean, since it is said to be "in the ground", that part of the stock or stump left in the ground, from whence the roots part and spread in the earth; and even though this dies, or at least so seems, yet there being still life and vigour in the roots, they send forth suckers.

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FOOTNOTES:

F25 So Piscator and Cocceius.

Job 14:8 In-Context

6 So look away from him and let him alone, till he has put in his time like a hired laborer.

7 “At least there is hope for a tree: If it is cut down, it will sprout again, and its new shoots will not fail.

8 Its roots may grow old in the ground and its stump die in the soil,

9 yet at the scent of water it will bud and put forth shoots like a plant.

10 But a man dies and is laid low; he breathes his last and is no more.

Cross References

• 1. Isaiah 6:13; Isaiah 11:1; Isaiah 53:2