Job 14:7-9

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 14:8

Though the root thereof wax old in the earth ,.... Lies long there, and is become dry, and seems to be consumed, on which account there may be the less hope of its flourishing: and the stock thereof die in the ground ; which may make it still more improbable; for this is not to be understood with some interpreters F25 So Piscator and Cocceius. of the stock or trunk of the tree cut down, and lying along on the earth, and in the dust of it; though it may be observed, that even such a... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 14:9

Yet through the scent of water it will bud ,.... As soon as it smells it, or perceives it, is sensible of it, or partakes of its efficacy; denoting both how speedily, and how easily, at once as it were, it buds forth through the virtue either of rain water that descends upon it, or river water by which it is planted, or by any means conveyed unto it; particularly this is true of the willow, which delights in watery places; and, when it is in the circumstances before described, will by the... 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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Job 14:9

Through the scent of water it will bud - A fine metaphor: the water acts upon the decaying and perishing tree, as strong and powerful odors from musk, otto of roses, ammonia, etc., act on a fainting or swooning person. 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

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