Job 8:17

17 it entwines its roots around a pile of rocks and looks for a place among the stones.

Job 8:17 in Other Translations

17 His roots are wrapped about the heap, and seeth the place of stones.

17 His roots entwine the stone heap; he looks upon a house of stones.

17 Its roots grow down through a pile of stones; it takes hold on a bed of rocks.

17 Spreading everywhere, overtaking the flowers, getting a foothold even in the rocks.

17 His roots are intertwined around a pile of rocks. He looks for a home among the stones.

Job 8:17 Meaning and Commentary

Job 8:17

His roots are wrapped about the heap
The heap of stones where the tree stands; it strikes its roots among them, and implicates and twists them about them, and secures itself and grows up notwithstanding them: and this expresses the seeming stable state and condition of hypocrites for a season, who not only flourish, but seem to take root; and who maintain their ground amidst some difficulties; this fitly agrees with and describes such hearers of the word, and professors of religion, comparable to the seed sown on stony ground, ( Matthew 13:5 Matthew 13:6 Matthew 13:20 Matthew 13:21 ) ;

[and] seeth the place of stones;
or, "the house of stones" ^F14; a house built of stones, high and stately; yet this tree rises higher than that, overtops and overlooks it; and is represented as viewing it thoroughly, or looking down upon it, and all around it, being so high and so spreading; the Targum renders it, implicateth the house of stones; "platteth", as Mr. Broughton, or twists about them, and so many of the Jewish writers; but this seems to be designed in the former clause: all this suits very well with good men, whose "roots are wrapped about the fountain" ^F15; as the words may be rendered; about the love of God, in which they are rooted and grounded, and are like trees planted by rivers of water, the river of divine love, which refreshes, revives, and makes them fruitful; and about Christ, the fountain of gardens and well of living waters; in whom they are rooted and built up, increase, flourish, and are established; and though they are among stones, and attended with many difficulties, yet they abide and surmount all; believe in hope against hope, and see and enjoy, yea, even dwell in the house of stones, the church of God, built on a rock, against which the gates of hell cannot prevail.

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FOOTNOTES:

F14 (Mynba tyb) "domum lapidum", Montanus, Cocceius, Schmidt, Michaelis, Schultens; so Tigurine version, Codurcus, Junius & Tremellius.
F15 (lg le) "juxta fontem", Pagninus, Mercerus; so Vatablus, Piscator, Gersom, and Bar Tzemach.

Job 8:17 In-Context

15 They lean on the web, but it gives way; they cling to it, but it does not hold.

16 They are like a well-watered plant in the sunshine, spreading its shoots over the garden;

17 it entwines its roots around a pile of rocks and looks for a place among the stones.

18 But when it is torn from its spot, that place disowns it and says, ‘I never saw you.’

19 Surely its life withers away, and from the soil other plants grow.