Job 14:1-6

1 We are all born weak and helpless. 1 All lead the same short, troubled life.
2 We grow and wither as quickly as flowers; we disappear like shadows.
3 Will you even look at me, God, or put me on trial and judge me?
4 Nothing clean can ever come from anything as unclean as human beings.
5 The length of our lives is decided beforehand - the number of months we will live. You have settled it, and it can't be changed.
6 Look away from us and leave us alone; let us enjoy our hard life - if we can.

Job 14:1-6 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 1

  • 1. +214.1,Wisdom 2.1;Ben Sira 40.1-11; 41.1-4.

Footnotes 2

  • [a]. [One Hebrew manuscript] and leave us alone; [most Hebrew manuscripts] so that we may rest.
  • [b]. let us . . . can; [or] until we finish our day of hard work.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.