Job 14:8
Though the root thereof wax old in the earth, and the stock thereof die in the ground;
Original Language Analysis
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
1 of 7
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
וּ֝בֶעָפָ֗ר
in the ground
H6083
וּ֝בֶעָפָ֗ר
in the ground
Strong's:
H6083
Word #:
5 of 7
dust (as powdered or gray); hence, clay, earth, mud
Historical Context
Job speaks during his personal lament (Job 14:1-22), contrasting human mortality with nature's renewal. Ancient Near Eastern peoples observed trees that appeared dead in dry seasons yet revived with rain. Job's patriarchal setting (approximately 2000-1800 BC) predates explicit Old Testament resurrection theology (which emerges in Daniel 12:2, Isaiah 26:19), yet he intuitively grasps the question of afterlife. His botanical metaphor becomes foundational for later biblical resurrection imagery.
Questions for Reflection
- When have you felt spiritually 'dead' like an old tree root, and did you experience renewal?
- How does observing nature's cycles of death and rebirth inform your hope in resurrection?
- What does Job's question about trees reviving teach about universal human longing for life beyond death?
Analysis & Commentary
Though the root thereof wax old in the earth (יַזְקִין בָּאָרֶץ שָׁרְשׁוֹ, yazqin baaretz shorsho)—Job describes a tree whose root (שֹׁרֶשׁ, shoresh) grows old (זָקֵן, zaqen), seemingly dead. And the stock thereof die in the ground (גֶּזַע, geza, 'stump/stock')—the visible trunk dies, appearing completely lifeless. Yet this apparent death sets up verse 9's resurrection imagery. Job uses botanical observation to explore whether humans, unlike trees, have hope beyond death.
The tree metaphor runs throughout Scripture: Psalm 1's righteous person is 'like a tree planted by rivers of water,' and Jeremiah 17:8 describes the blessed person as a tree that 'shall not see when heat cometh.' Job reverses this—he envisions not the flourishing tree but the dead tree, asking if it can revive. This anticipates Christian resurrection theology. Jesus Himself uses the metaphor: 'Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit' (John 12:24). Job gropes toward resurrection hope that only Christ fully reveals.