Job 14:18
And surely the mountain falling cometh to nought, and the rock is removed out of his place.
Original Language Analysis
הַר
the mountain
H2022
הַר
the mountain
Strong's:
H2022
Word #:
2 of 7
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
נוֹפֵ֣ל
falling
H5307
נוֹפֵ֣ל
falling
Strong's:
H5307
Word #:
3 of 7
to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
יִבּ֑וֹל
cometh to nought
H5034
יִבּ֑וֹל
cometh to nought
Strong's:
H5034
Word #:
4 of 7
to wilt; generally, to fall away, fail, faint
וְ֝צ֗וּר
and the rock
H6697
וְ֝צ֗וּר
and the rock
Strong's:
H6697
Word #:
5 of 7
properly, a cliff (or sharp rock, as compressed); generally, a rock or boulder; figuratively, a refuge; also an edge (as precipitous)
Cross References
Revelation 6:14And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.Job 18:4He teareth himself in his anger: shall the earth be forsaken for thee? and shall the rock be removed out of his place?Jeremiah 4:24I beheld the mountains, and, lo, they trembled, and all the hills moved lightly.
Historical Context
Mountains symbolized permanence in ancient Near Eastern thought (Psalm 125:1-2). Yet Job observes that even these erode over time—an observation consistent with modern geology's understanding of erosion, weathering, and tectonic change.
Questions for Reflection
- How does recognizing creation's decay due to sin's curse shape our hope for new creation?
- What does the temporary nature of seemingly permanent things teach about where we place our security?
- How does Christ's promise to make all things new address the universal decay Job observes?
Analysis & Commentary
Yet Job returns to present reality—everything decays: 'And surely the mountain falling cometh to nought, and the rock is removed out of his place.' Even the most permanent-seeming things—mountains and rocks—erode and crumble. If nature's strongest elements fail, how much more do humans? This recognizes entropy and decay as universal post-Fall realities. Only divine intervention can reverse this trajectory toward dissolution.