Job 14:14
If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come.
Original Language Analysis
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
1 of 11
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
יָמ֥וּת
die
H4191
יָמ֥וּת
die
Strong's:
H4191
Word #:
2 of 11
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
גֶּ֗בֶר
If a man
H1397
גֶּ֗בֶר
If a man
Strong's:
H1397
Word #:
3 of 11
properly, a valiant man or warrior; generally, a person simply
הֲיִֽ֫חְיֶ֥ה
shall he live
H2421
הֲיִֽ֫חְיֶ֥ה
shall he live
Strong's:
H2421
Word #:
4 of 11
to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
5 of 11
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
יְמֵ֣י
again all the days
H3117
יְמֵ֣י
again all the days
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
6 of 11
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
צְבָאִ֣י
of my appointed time
H6635
צְבָאִ֣י
of my appointed time
Strong's:
H6635
Word #:
7 of 11
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
עַד
H5704
עַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
9 of 11
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
Cross References
Acts 26:8Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead?Job 7:1Is there not an appointed time to man upon earth? are not his days also like the days of an hireling?Revelation 20:13And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.Psalms 27:14Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.Job 13:15Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.Philippians 3:21Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.Job 42:16After this lived Job an hundred and forty years, and saw his sons, and his sons' sons, even four generations.Job 14:5Seeing his days are determined, the number of his months are with thee, thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass;
Historical Context
Old Testament revelation about resurrection developed gradually. Early passages like this express hope without full clarity. Later texts (Isaiah 26:19, Daniel 12:2) provide more explicit teaching. Job's question and answer demonstrate faith reaching beyond present understanding toward future hope. The New Testament provides full revelation: Christ's resurrection guarantees believers' resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:20-23).
Questions for Reflection
- How does Job's hope for life after death despite limited revelation challenge our faith when we have fuller truth?
- What does Job's willingness to wait for his 'change' teach about patient endurance through suffering?
Analysis & Commentary
Job asks: 'If a man die, shall he live again?' This is Scripture's great question about resurrection. The verb chayah (חָיָה, live) means to revive, be restored to life. Job immediately answers: 'all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come.' The word tsava (צָבָא, appointed time) suggests military service or hard labor—Job will endure his difficult time waiting for transformation. Chaliphah (חֲלִיפָה, change) means renewal or relief. Though Job lacks full resurrection theology, he grasps that death isn't final and waits for God's appointed deliverance.