Job 14:8
Job 14:8 in Multiple Translations
If its roots grow old in the ground and its stump dies in the soil,
Though the root thereof wax old in the earth, and the stock thereof die in the ground;
Though the root thereof wax old in the earth, And the stock thereof die in the ground;
Though its root may be old in the earth, and its cut-off end may be dead in the dust;
Even though its roots grow old in the earth, and its stump dies in the ground,
Though the roote of it waxe olde in the earth, and the stocke thereof be dead in ye ground,
If its root becometh old in the earth, And its stem doth die in the dust,
Though its root grows old in the earth, and its stock dies in the ground,
Though its root shall become old in the earth, and its stock die in the ground;
If its root be old in the earth, and its stock be dead in the dust:
Its roots in the ground may be very old, and its stump may decay,
Berean Amplified Bible — Job 14:8
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Job 14:8 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
אִם
יַזְקִ֣ין
בָּ/אָ֣רֶץ
שָׁרְשׁ֑/וֹ
וּ֝/בֶ/עָפָ֗ר
יָמ֥וּת
גִּזְעֽ/וֹ
אִם
ʼim
H518
if
Conj
יַזְקִ֣ין
zâqên
H2204
be old
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3ms
בָּ/אָ֣רֶץ
ʼerets
H776
land
Prep | N-cs
שָׁרְשׁ֑/וֹ
sheresh
H8328
root
N-ms | Suff
וּ֝/בֶ/עָפָ֗ר
ʻâphâr
H6083
dust
Conj | Prep | N-ms
יָמ֥וּת
mûwth
H4191
to die
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
גִּזְעֽ/וֹ
gezaʻ
H1503
stock
N-ms | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Job 14:8
אִם
ʼim
H518
"if"
Conj
This Hebrew word is used to express conditions or questions, like if or whether. It can also be used to make oaths or express wishes, as in Oh that! It appears in various forms in the KJV, including if, though, and when.
Definition: : if/whether_or/though 1) if 1a) conditional clauses 1a1) of possible situations 1a2) of impossible situations 1b) oath contexts 1b1) no, not 1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or 1d) when, whenever 1e) since 1f) interrogative particle 1g) but rather
Usage: Occurs in 931 OT verses. KJV: (and, can-, doubtless, if, that) (not), [phrase] but, either, [phrase] except, [phrase] more(-over if, than), neither, nevertheless, nor, oh that, or, [phrase] save (only, -ing), seeing, since, sith, [phrase] surely (no more, none, not), though, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] unless, [phrase] verily, when, whereas, whether, while, [phrase] yet. See also: Genesis 4:7; Exodus 22:3; Leviticus 27:27.
יַזְקִ֣ין
zâqên
H2204
"be old"
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3ms
To be old or become old is what this Hebrew verb means, as seen in Genesis 18:11, where Abraham and Sarah are described as aged. It can also imply showing signs of age or becoming elderly. The concept of aging is significant in biblical narratives.
Definition: 1) to be old, become old 1a) (Qal) to be old, become old 1b) (Hiphil) to grow old, show age
Usage: Occurs in 26 OT verses. KJV: aged man, be (wax) old (man). See also: Genesis 18:12; 1 Samuel 8:5; Psalms 37:25.
בָּ/אָ֣רֶץ
ʼerets
H776
"land"
Prep | N-cs
The land or earth refers to the soil or ground, and can also mean a country, territory, or region. In the Bible, it is used to describe the earth and its inhabitants, and is often translated as 'land' or 'country'.
Definition: : soil 1) land, earth 1a) earth 1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part) 1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven) 1a3) earth (inhabitants) 1b) land 1b1) country, territory 1b2) district, region 1b3) tribal territory 1b4) piece of ground 1b5) land of Canaan, Israel 1b6) inhabitants of land 1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world 1b8) city (-state) 1c) ground, surface of the earth 1c1) ground 1c2) soil 1d) (in phrases) 1d1) people of the land 1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance) 1d3) level or plain country 1d4) land of the living 1d5) end(s) of the earth 1e) (almost wholly late in usage) 1e1) lands, countries 1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan
Usage: Occurs in 2190 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 18:18; Genesis 42:13.
שָׁרְשׁ֑/וֹ
sheresh
H8328
"root"
N-ms | Suff
A root is the underground part of a plant. In the Bible, it can also mean a source or foundation, like in the book of Job.
Definition: 1) root 1a) root (literal) 1b) root (of people involving firmness or permanence) (fig) 1c) root, bottom (as lowest stratum) (fig) Aramaic equivalent: sho.resh (שֹׁ֫רֶשׁ "root" H8330)
Usage: Occurs in 32 OT verses. KJV: bottom, deep, heel, root. See also: Deuteronomy 29:17; Isaiah 11:1; Psalms 80:10.
וּ֝/בֶ/עָפָ֗ר
ʻâphâr
H6083
"dust"
Conj | Prep | N-ms
Aphar means dust or dry earth, and is also used to describe clay, earth, or mortar. It appears in various forms throughout the Bible.
Definition: 1) dry earth, dust, powder, ashes, earth, ground, mortar, rubbish 1a) dry or loose earth 1b) debris 1c) mortar 1d) ore
Usage: Occurs in 103 OT verses. KJV: ashes, dust, earth, ground, morter, powder, rubbish. See also: Genesis 2:7; Job 28:6; Psalms 7:6.
יָמ֥וּת
mûwth
H4191
"to die"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to die, either literally or as a punishment, and is used in books like Genesis and Exodus. It can also mean to perish or be killed. This concept is seen in the story of Adam and Eve, where death enters the world as a result of sin.
Definition: 1) to die, kill, have one executed 1a)(Qal) 1a1) to die 1a2) to die (as penalty), be put to death 1a3) to die, perish (of a nation) 1a4) to die prematurely (by neglect of wise moral conduct) 1b) (Polel) to kill, put to death, dispatch 1c) (Hiphil) to kill, put to death 1d) (Hophal) 1d1) to be killed, be put to death 1d1a) to die prematurely
Usage: Occurs in 695 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, [idiom] crying, (be) dead (body, man, one), (put to, worthy of) death, destroy(-er), (cause to, be like to, must) die, kill, necro(-mancer), [idiom] must needs, slay, [idiom] surely, [idiom] very suddenly, [idiom] in (no) wise. See also: Genesis 2:17; Exodus 21:18; Numbers 35:21.
גִּזְעֽ/וֹ
gezaʻ
H1503
"stock"
N-ms | Suff
This word refers to the trunk or stump of a tree, either felled or planted. The KJV translates it as stem or stock, describing the main part of a tree.
Definition: stem, trunk, stock (of trees)
Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: stem, stock. See also: Job 14:8; Isaiah 11:1; Isaiah 40:24.
Study Notes — Job 14:8
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Job 14:8 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Job 14:8
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 14:8
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 14:8
- Trapp's Commentary on Job 14:8
- Cambridge Bible on Job 14:8
- Barnes' Notes on Job 14:8
- Whedon's Commentary on Job 14:8
- Sermons on Job 14:8
Context — Job Laments the Finality of Death
6look away from him and let him rest, so he can enjoy his day as a hired hand.
7For there is hope for a tree: If it is cut down, it will sprout again, and its tender shoots will not fail.
8If its roots grow old in the ground and its stump dies in the soil,
9at the scent of water it will bud and put forth twigs like a sapling. 10But a man dies and is laid low; he breathes his last, and where is he?Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Corinthians 15:36 | You fool! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies. |
| 2 | Isaiah 26:19 | Your dead will live; their bodies will rise. Awake and sing, you who dwell in the dust! For your dew is like the dew of the morning, and the earth will bring forth her dead. |
| 3 | John 12:24 | Truly, truly, I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a seed; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. |
Job 14:8 Summary
This verse uses the picture of a tree to talk about life and death. Even when a tree seems completely dead, with old roots and a dead stump, it can still come back to life when it gets water, as we see in the next verse, Job 14:9. This reminds us that even when we feel like we're at the end of our strength, God can still bring new life, just like He promises in Jeremiah 29:11 to give us a future and a hope. It's a powerful reminder to trust in God's care and provision for us, just as a tree trusts in the water it needs to survive.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the image of a tree's roots growing old in the ground and its stump dying in the soil signify?
This image signifies the end of a tree's life cycle, but as seen in the context of Job 14:7-9, even in death, there is hope for renewal, much like the promise of eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ, as stated in John 11:25-26.
How does the tree's ability to sprout again relate to human existence?
The tree's ability to sprout again highlights the contrast between the natural world's capacity for renewal and the finality of human death, as noted in Job 14:10, emphasizing the uniqueness of human mortality, unlike the cyclical nature of trees, as observed in Job 14:7-9.
What does the tree's response to the scent of water teach us about resilience?
The tree's ability to bud and put forth twigs like a sapling at the scent of water, as mentioned in Job 14:9, demonstrates the resilience of nature, encouraging us to trust in God's provision and care, as seen in Psalm 1:3, where a person planted by streams of water bears fruit in season.
How can we apply the lesson of the tree's roots and stump to our own lives?
We can apply this lesson by recognizing that even in times of spiritual dryness or when our faith seems dead, God can bring new life and vitality, just as a tree can sprout again, reminding us to trust in His power, as expressed in Isaiah 43:19, where God says He is doing a new thing.
Reflection Questions
- What are the 'roots' in my life that need nourishment to prevent them from growing old and dying?
- How can I, like the tree, respond to the 'scent of water' in my life, symbolizing God's presence and care?
- What does this verse teach me about the nature of hope and renewal in my own life, and how can I apply this to my daily struggles?
- In what ways can I trust in God's power to bring new life to areas of my life that feel dead or stagnant, just as a tree can sprout again?
Gill's Exposition on 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
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 14:8
Though the root thereof wax old in the earth, and the stock thereof die in the ground; Though the root thereof wax old in the earth, and the stock thereof die in the ground; No JFB commentary on this verse.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 14:8
Wax old; begin to wither and decay. And the stock die, to wit, in outward appearance.
Trapp's Commentary on Job 14:8
Job 14:8 Though the root thereof wax old in the earth, and the stock thereof die in the ground;Ver. 8. Though the root thereof wax old in the earth] And so the more unlikely to shoot forth again. Trees also have their old age wherein they decay. And the stock thereof die in the ground] Heb. In the dust, as it needs must, when, cut off from the root, it lieth along on the earth. It was by a miracle that Aaron’ s rod flourished: not only all the plants of God’ s setting, but the very boughs cut off from the body of them, shall flourish and be fruitful.
Cambridge Bible on Job 14:8
7–12. The irreparable extinction of man’s life in death. His destiny is sadder even than that of the tree. His sleep in death is eternal.
Barnes' Notes on Job 14:8
Though the root thereof wax old - Though life becomes almost extinct. The idea is, though the root of the tree be very old, yet it does not become wholly lifeless. It is not like an old man, when life goes out altogether.
Whedon's Commentary on Job 14:8
8. Though — If. The poet supposes another case: that the tree, instead of being cut down, grows old and dies.
Sermons on Job 14:8
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Prison Houses by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher shares a powerful story of a man named Bob who was tormented by a demonic spirit for four years. The preacher and Bob took authority over the demons in |
|
The Call of God - Fellowship by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the initial close bond that often forms when people come together in a church or fellowship. He emphasizes the importance of believing in th |
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The Reality of the Resurrection by Joshua Daniel | This sermon emphasizes the importance of humbling oneself, dying to the old nature, and embracing the resurrection life in Christ. It highlights the need to let go of pride, idols, |
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Demonstration 8 (Of the Resurrection of the Dead) by Aphraates | Aphraates preaches about the certainty of the resurrection of the dead, addressing controversies on the nature of the resurrected body. He emphasizes that the dead will rise in hea |
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By Death We Live by Charles E. Cowman | Charles E. Cowman preaches about the concept of new life emerging from death, using the analogy of asters in a garden that appeared dead but sprouted abundantly the following seaso |
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Homily 77 on Matthew by St. John Chrysostom | John Chrysostom preaches on the importance of being vigilant and prepared for the return of Christ, emphasizing the need to focus on serving others and not just ourselves. He highl |
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Glorify God in Your Body" by H.J. Vine | H.J. Vine preaches about the transformation of believers' bodies from their current state of humiliation to future bodies of glory, emphasizing the importance of using our bodies i |