Job 14:5
Seeing his days are determined, the number of his months are with thee, thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass;
Original Language Analysis
אִ֥ם
Seeing
H518
אִ֥ם
Seeing
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
1 of 10
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
חֲרוּצִ֨ים׀
are determined
H2782
חֲרוּצִ֨ים׀
are determined
Strong's:
H2782
Word #:
2 of 10
properly, to point sharply, i.e., (literally) to wound; figuratively, to be alert, to decide
יָמָ֗יו
his days
H3117
יָמָ֗יו
his days
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
3 of 10
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
מִֽסְפַּר
the number
H4557
מִֽסְפַּר
the number
Strong's:
H4557
Word #:
4 of 10
a number, definite (arithmetical) or indefinite (large, innumerable; small, a few); also (abstractly) narration
אִתָּ֑ךְ
H854
אִתָּ֑ךְ
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
6 of 10
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
חֻקָּ֥ו
his bounds
H2706
חֻקָּ֥ו
his bounds
Strong's:
H2706
Word #:
7 of 10
an enactment; hence, an appointment (of time, space, quantity, labor or usage)
עָ֝שִׂ֗יתָ
are with thee thou hast appointed
H6213
עָ֝שִׂ֗יתָ
are with thee thou hast appointed
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
8 of 10
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
Cross References
Psalms 39:4LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am.Acts 17:26And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;Hebrews 9:27And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:Job 12:10In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind.Psalms 104:29Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust.Job 21:21For what pleasure hath he in his house after him, when the number of his months is cut off in the midst?Luke 12:20But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?Daniel 5:26This is the interpretation of the thing: MENE; God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it.Psalms 104:9Thou hast set a bound that they may not pass over; that they turn not again to cover the earth.Job 7:1Is there not an appointed time to man upon earth? are not his days also like the days of an hireling?
Historical Context
Ancient peoples recognized life's brevity and generally attributed it to divine control. Job here uses this common belief to question God's justice in strictly judging creatures whose days God Himself limited.
Questions for Reflection
- How do divine sovereignty over our days and divine judgment of our deeds relate?
- What comfort exists in knowing God has appointed our bounds?
Analysis & Commentary
'Seeing his days are determined, the number of his months are with thee, thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass.' Job affirms divine sovereignty over lifespan: days are 'determined' (חֲרוּצִים, charutsim—decided, decreed), months numbered, 'bounds' (חֻקּוֹ, chuqo—statute, limit) 'appointed' (עָשִׂיתָ, asita—made). This echoes Psalm 139:16 and Acts 17:26. If God sovereignly determines our days, why judge us for sins committed in that predetermined timeframe? Job isn't denying human responsibility but highlighting the mystery of divine sovereignty and human accountability coexisting. The Reformed tradition embraces this mystery (Westminster Confession 3.1), affirming both without explaining how they fit together.