Job 14:7 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Job 14:7-15

We have seen what Job has to say concerning life; let us now see what he has to say concerning death, which his thoughts were very much conversant with, now that he was sick and sore. It is not unseasonable, when we are in health, to think of dying; but it is an inexcusable incogitancy if, when we are already taken into the custody of death's messengers, we look upon it as a thing at a distance. Job had already shown that death will come, and that its hour is already fixed. Now here he shows,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 14:7

For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again ,.... That is, if it be cut down to the root, and only the stump of the root is left in the ground, as the tree in Nebuchadnezzar's dream, Daniel 4:15 , yet the owner of it may entertain a hope that it is not utterly destroyed, but will bud out again; or "change" F19 יחליף "mutabit se", Drusius; "conditionem suam", Piscator. its state and condition, and become flourishing again: or "renew" F20 "Renovat... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Job 14:7

For there is hope of a tree - We must not, says Calmet, understand this of an old tree, the stem and roots of which are dried up and rotted: but there are some trees which grow from cuttings, and some which, though pulled out of the earth, and having had their roots dried and withered by long exposure to the sun and wind, will, on being replanted, take root and resume their verdure. There are also certain trees, the fibres of which are so solid, that if after several years they be steeped in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 14:1-12

1. Self-defence before God: 2. Plaint of the weakness and vanity of mankind. Job's troubles are typical of the common doom of mankind—the "subjection, to vanity." And again (comp. Job 3:7 ; Job 7:1-5 ) he bursts forth into lamentation over the universal doom of sorrow. I. HIS NATURAL WEAKNESS . (Verses 1-2.) His origin is in frailty; he is "born of woman." His course is brief, and full of unrest. He sees himself mirrored in all natural things that fleet and pass: II. ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 14:1-22

This chapter, in which Job concludes the fourth of his addresses, is characterized by a tone of mild and gentle expostulation, which contrasts with the comparative vehemence and passion of the two preceding chapters. It would seem that the patriarch, having vented his feelings, experiences a certain relief, an interval of calm, in which, his own woes pressing less heavily upon him, he is content to moralize on the general condition of humanity. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 14:7

For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down . God's vegetable creation is better off, in respect of length of days, than man. Let a tree be cut down, it is not therefore of necessity destroyed. There is yet hope for it. The bare dry stump will sometimes put forth tender branches, which will grow and flourish, and renew the old life. Or, if the stump be quite dead, suckers may spring up from the root and grow into new trees as vigorous as the one that they replace (comp. Isaiah 11:1 ).... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 14:7-10

Sad views of life. If the tree be cut down, it springs again; but if man dieth, he wasteth away. Certainly, then, man's hope is not in this life. The dismal views given in these few verses demand the full assurance of the resurrection. This is a feature of the Book of Job. It presents a negative view of human life. There is always a demand to be met. Only the fuller teachings of the New Testament meet it. Consider this aspect of human life with its demand for supplementary views in order to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 14:7-14

Is there a life beyond the grave? We have here one of the dim Old Testament speculations on the life beyond, that stand out in startling contrast to the prevalent obscurity and apparent indifference of ancient Hebrew thought in regard to the great future. This serves as a good starting-point from which to approach the more full Christian light on the resurrection. I. THE CRAVING FOR IMMORTALITY IS INSTINCTIVE . The craving may be hidden by more pressing desires of the moment;... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 14:7-15

Job to God: 3. A glimpse into the life beyond. I. " IF A MAN DIE , SHALL HE LIVE AGAIN ?" No! 1 . The voice of nature is against it. "For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again," etc. (verses 7-9). But nothing like this occurs in the case of man, of whom rather the cheerless proverb holds that, as the tree falls, so shall it lie ( Ecclesiastes 11:3 ). Hewn down by the axe of death, or laid prostrate by age beneath the sod, there is in... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 14:7

For there is hope of a tree - This passage to Job 14:12, is one of exquisite beauty. Its object is to state reasons why man should be permitted to enjoy this life. A tree, if cut down, might spring up again and flourish; but not man. He died to rise no more; he is cut down and lives not again. The passage is important as expressing the prevalent sentiment of the time in which Job lived about the future condition of man, and is one that deserves a close examination. The great question is,... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Job 14:7-15

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 14:7

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Job 14:7

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 14:1-12

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 14:1-22

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 14:7

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 14:7-10

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 14:7-14

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 14:7-15

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 14:7

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