Job 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 hope of man.
Original Language Analysis
מַ֗יִם
The waters
H4325
מַ֗יִם
The waters
Strong's:
H4325
Word #:
3 of 10
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
תִּשְׁטֹֽף
thou washest away
H7857
תִּשְׁטֹֽף
thou washest away
Strong's:
H7857
Word #:
4 of 10
to gush; by implication, to inundate, cleanse; by analogy, to gallop, conquer
סְפִיחֶ֥יהָ
the things which grow
H5599
סְפִיחֶ֥יהָ
the things which grow
Strong's:
H5599
Word #:
5 of 10
something (spontaneously) falling off, i.e., a self-sown crop; figuratively, a freshet
עֲפַר
out of the dust
H6083
עֲפַר
out of the dust
Strong's:
H6083
Word #:
6 of 10
dust (as powdered or gray); hence, clay, earth, mud
וְתִקְוַ֖ת
the hope
H8615
וְתִקְוַ֖ת
the hope
Strong's:
H8615
Word #:
8 of 10
literally a cord (as an attachment); figuratively, expectancy
Historical Context
Palestine's seasonal floods and wadis demonstrated water's erosive power. Ancient observers noted how flowing water could reshape landscapes, carving valleys and wearing smooth hard stones—processes modern geology confirms occur over long time periods.
Questions for Reflection
- How do persistent trials wear down faith, and what resources does God provide to prevent spiritual erosion?
- When have you experienced the patient wearing-down of hope that Job describes?
- What is the difference between faith eroded by trials and faith refined through them?
Analysis & Commentary
Water's power to wear away stone illustrates relentless erosion: 'The waters wear the stones: thou washest away the things which grow out of the dust of the earth.' Patient, persistent water eventually wears down hard rock—a process Job observes in wadis and rivers. Similarly, suffering gradually erodes human hope and strength. The imagery is both natural observation and spiritual metaphor: persistent trials wear down even strong faith without divine intervention.