Job 14

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Chapter Overview

Job 14 is a wisdom dialogue chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of righteousness, prayer, judgment. Written during the patriarchal period (literary composition later), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Ancient wisdom traditions often wrestled with the problem of suffering and divine justice.

The chapter can be divided into several sections:

  1. Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
  2. Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
  3. Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
  4. Verses 21-22: Conclusion and application

This chapter is significant because it illustrates divine judgment and mercy in response to human actions. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Job and its broader place in the scriptural canon.

Job Continues: Man Born of Woman Has Few Days

1 Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble. Parallel theme: Job 5:7, 7:1, 7:6, 9:25, 15:14, 25:4, Genesis 47:9, Psalms 39:5, 51:5, Ecclesiastes 2:23 +5

2 He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not. Parallel theme: Job 8:9, 1 Chronicles 29:15, Psalms 92:7, 92:12, 102:11, 144:4, Ecclesiastes 8:13, James 4:14, 1 Peter 1:24 +4

3 And dost thou open thine eyes upon such an one, and bringest me into judgmentJudgment: מִשְׁפָּט (Mishpat). The Hebrew mishpat (מִשְׁפָּט) means judgment or justice—God's righteous decisions and ordinances. God is the Judge of all the earth who 'shall do right' (Genesis 18:25), executing perfect justice. with thee? Judgment: Psalms 143:2. Parallel theme: Psalms 8:4, 144:3

4 Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one. Parallel theme: Job 15:14, Psalms 51:5, John 3:6, Romans 5:12, Ephesians 2:3

5 Seeing his days are determined, the number of his months are with thee, thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass; Parallel theme: Job 7:1, 12:10, 21:21, Psalms 39:4, 104:9, 104:29, Daniel 5:26, Luke 12:20, Acts 17:26, Hebrews 9:27 +5

6 Turn from him, that he may rest, till he shall accomplish, as an hireling, his day. Parallel theme: Job 7:19, Psalms 39:13

7 For there is hopeHope: תִּקְוָה (Tikvah). The Hebrew tikvah (תִּקְוָה) means hope or expectation—confident trust in God's promises. 'Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God' (Psalm 146:5). of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease. Hope: Job 19:10. Parallel theme: Job 14:14, Isaiah 11:1, 27:6

8 Though the root thereof wax old in the earth, and the stock thereof die in the ground; Parallel theme: 1 Corinthians 15:36

9 Yet through the scent of water it will bud, and bring forth boughs like a plant.

10 But man dieth, and wasteth away: yea, man giveth up the ghost, and where is he? Spirit: Genesis 49:33. Parallel theme: Job 14:12, 19:26

11 As the waters fail from the sea, and the flood decayeth and drieth up: Parallel theme: Isaiah 19:5

12 So man lieth down, and riseth not: till the heavens be no more, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep. Resurrection: Isaiah 26:19, Ephesians 5:14. Parallel theme: Job 3:13, 30:23, Isaiah 51:6, 65:17, Acts 3:21, 2 Peter 3:7, Revelation 20:11, 21:1 +5

13 O that thou wouldest hide me in the grave, that thou wouldest keep me secret, until thy wrathWrath: אַף (Aph). The Hebrew aph (אַף) literally means 'nose' or 'nostrils,' idiomatically expressing wrath or anger—God's righteous indignation against sin. Yet God is 'slow to anger' (Exodus 34:6) and 'abundant in mercy.' be past, that thou wouldest appoint me a set time, and remember me! Judgment: Acts 17:31. Parallel theme: Genesis 8:1, Psalms 106:4, Isaiah 12:1, Mark 13:32, Luke 23:42, Acts 1:7 +2

14 If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come. Parallel theme: Job 7:1, 13:15, 14:5, 42:16, Psalms 27:14, Acts 26:8, Philippians 3:21, Revelation 20:13 +3

15 Thou shalt call, and I will answer thee: thou wilt have a desire to the work of thine hands. Parallel theme: Job 7:21, 10:3, 10:8, 13:22, Psalms 138:8, 1 Thessalonians 4:17, 1 Peter 4:19 +2

16 For now thou numberest my steps: dost thou not watch over my sinSin: חַטָּאת (Chatta'ah). The Hebrew chatta'ah (חַטָּאת) means sin—missing the mark of God's standard. It encompasses rebellion, transgression, and falling short of divine holiness.? Sin: Job 10:6. Parallel theme: Job 31:4, 33:11, 34:21, Proverbs 5:21, Jeremiah 32:19

17 My transgression is sealed up in a bag, and thou sewest up mine iniquityIniquity: עָוֹן (Avon). The Hebrew avon (עָוֹן) encompasses iniquity, guilt, and its punishment—the twisted nature of sin. 'The LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all' (Isaiah 53:6), Christ bearing our guilt and penalty.. Sin: Hosea 13:12. Parallel theme: Deuteronomy 32:34

18 And surely the mountain falling cometh to nought, and the rock is removed out of his place. Parallel theme: Job 18:4, Jeremiah 4:24, Revelation 6:14

19 The waters wear the stones: thou washest away the things which grow out of the dust of the earth; and thou destroyest the hopeHope: תִּקְוָה (Tikvah). The Hebrew tikvah (תִּקְוָה) means hope or expectation—confident trust in God's promises. 'Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God' (Psalm 146:5). of man.

20 Thou prevailest for ever against him, and he passeth: thou changest his countenance, and sendest him away.

21 His sons come to honour, and he knoweth it not; and they are brought low, but he perceiveth it not of them. Parallel theme: Ecclesiastes 9:5, Isaiah 63:16

22 But his flesh upon him shall have pain, and his soul within him shall mourn.