Job 14:11
As the waters fail from the sea, and the flood decayeth and drieth up:
Original Language Analysis
מַ֭יִם
As the waters
H4325
מַ֭יִם
As the waters
Strong's:
H4325
Word #:
2 of 7
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
מִנִּי
H4480
מִנִּי
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
3 of 7
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
יָ֑ם
from the sea
H3220
יָ֑ם
from the sea
Strong's:
H3220
Word #:
4 of 7
a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif
וְ֝נָהָ֗ר
and the flood
H5104
וְ֝נָהָ֗ר
and the flood
Strong's:
H5104
Word #:
5 of 7
a stream (including the sea; expectation the nile, euphrates, etc.); figuratively, prosperity
Historical Context
Palestine's geography includes the Dead Sea and seasonal streams (wadis) that completely dry up in summer. Ancient peoples regularly observed drought's destructive power—once-flowing rivers becoming dusty channels. Job's imagery reflects this harsh reality. His statement 'man lieth down, and riseth not' (14:12) expresses honest hopelessness apart from resurrection revelation, demonstrating that even the righteous struggled with mortality's mystery before Christ.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Job's hopelessness about death, contrasted with Christian resurrection hope, help you appreciate the gospel's power?
- When have you felt like a dried-up sea spiritually, and how did Christ's 'living water' restore you?
- What does Job's honest struggle with mortality teach about bringing hard questions to God rather than pretending false confidence?
Analysis & Commentary
As the waters fail from the sea (אָזְלוּ־מַיִם מִנִּי־יָם, azlu-mayim minni-yam)—'fail' uses אָזַל (azal, 'to go away, be exhausted'). Ancient observers noted inland seas and lakes that evaporated during drought. And the flood decayeth and drieth up (נָהָר יֶחֱרַב וְיָבֵשׁ, nahar yecharav veyavesh)—'flood' (נָהָר, nahar, 'river/stream') becomes 'parched' (חָרֵב, charev) and 'dry' (יָבֵשׁ, yavesh, thoroughly dried). Job uses permanent, irreversible drying—not seasonal variation—to illustrate human mortality's finality.
The contrast is devastating: trees revive (verses 8-9), but humans, like dried-up seas, do not return. This reflects Job's limited revelation—he lacks the full resurrection hope revealed in Christ. Yet his question prepares the way. Jesus reverses the metaphor: believers have 'living water' that becomes 'a well of water springing up into everlasting life' (John 4:14). What appears permanently dried up in Job's understanding, Christ promises to restore eternally. Revelation 21:1 envisions new creation where 'there was no more sea'—the old order, including death symbolized by dried seas, passes away.