Job 14:8 — Word Study
WLCאִם־ יַזְקִ֣ין בָּאָ֣רֶץ שָׁרְשׁ֑וֹ וּ֝בֶעָפָ֗ר יָמ֥וּת גִּזְעֽוֹ׃
BSAIfʼim its rootssheresh [the underground part of a plant, foundation] grow oldzâqên▸ [become aged, wax old] in the groundʼerets [land, earth, soil] and its stumpgezaʻ [trunk, stock] diesmûwth▸ [comes to an end, perishes] in the soilʻâphâr [dust, dry earth, ground]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| אִם־ | though | Particle |
| יַזְקִ֣ין | it will grow old | Verb, Hiphil, imperfect third person masculine singular |
| בָּאָ֣רֶץ | in the ground | Preposition, noun common feminine singular absolute |
| שָׁרְשׁ֑וֹ | root its | Noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| וּ֝בֶעָפָ֗ר | and in the dust | Conjunction, preposition, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| יָמ֥וּת | it will die | Verb, Qal, imperfect third person masculine singular |
| גִּזְעֽוֹ׃ | stump its | Noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | If its roots grow old in the ground and its stump dies in the soil, |
| KJV | Though the root thereof wax old in the earth, and the stock thereof die in the ground; |
| ASV | Though the root thereof wax old in the earth, And the stock thereof die in the ground; |
| YLT | If its root becometh old in the earth, And its stem doth die in the dust, |
| WEB | Though its root grows old in the earth, and its stock dies in the ground, |
| BBE | Though its root may be old in the earth, and its cut-off end may be dead in the dust; |
Translations agree on the key terms, particularly regarding the concepts of dying and perishing.
The sentence is structured with a conditional clause followed by two main clauses, illustrating the relationship between the aging roots and the dying stump.
7 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbזָקֵן
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Job 14:8
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — Job's Reflection on Life and Deathgenerated
Job 14:8 is part of Job's discourse on the nature of life and death, where he contrasts the resilience of a tree with the finality of human death. Job expresses a sense of hope for the tree's renewal, even after it seems to have perished. This theme of life after death resonates throughout the book of Job, as he grapples with his own suffering and the mystery of existence.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Isaiah 26:19 | Your dead will live; their bodies will rise. Awake and sing, you who dwell in the dust! For your dew is like the dew of the morning, and the earth will bring forth her dead. |
| 2 | John 12:24 | Truly, truly, I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a seed; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. |
| 3 | 1 Corinthians 15:36 | You fool! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 3 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — יָמ֥וּת, ya.Mutgenerated
The verb יָמ֥וּת (ya.Mut) is a Qal imperfect form meaning 'it will die.' This word encompasses the concept of death in both a literal and figurative sense, indicating the end of life or existence.
In this verse, it signifies the finality of the stump's existence, drawing a stark contrast to the potential for renewal in the tree's roots. The use of the imperfect tense suggests an ongoing or future action, emphasizing the inevitability of death.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
Translations of this verse generally agree, using terms like dies (BSB, KJV) and perishes (ASV, YLT).
Sentence Structuregenerated
The structure of this verse features two main verbs: יַזְקִ֣ין (it will grow old) and יָמ֥וּת (it will die). The first verb introduces the condition of the roots, while the second verb describes the fate of the stump.
The clauses are connected through a conditional structure, with the prepositional phrases providing context about the location of the roots and stump, emphasizing the relationship between aging and death.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates יָמ֥וּת as τελευτήσῃ, which also means 'it will die.' This choice maintains the original meaning but may carry a connotation of completion or finality.
This translation choice suggests a focus on the definitive end of life, aligning with the themes of mortality present in both the Hebrew text and the Greek translation.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Job 14:8 compares the fate of a tree to that of a man. It states that if the roots of a tree grow old and its stump dies, it reflects the finality of death. However, the imagery of the tree suggests a possibility of renewal, contrasting the permanence of human death.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Job uses the imagery of roots growing old to symbolize the aging process and the eventual decline of life, paralleling human mortality.
Yes, the verse suggests that while the stump may die, there is still hope for the tree to sprout again, indicating a potential for renewal.
This verse reflects Job's struggle with understanding life and death, emphasizing the contrast between nature's resilience and human mortality.
The 'stump' represents the remains of life after death, symbolizing the finality of existence while also hinting at the possibility of new life emerging.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways do I see signs of renewal in my own life, even after difficult experiences?
- How can I find hope in the face of mortality, as Job reflects on the fate of the tree?
- What does this verse teach me about the cycle of life and death?
- How can I apply the themes of resilience and renewal from this verse to my daily life?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early commentary on this verse reflects on the themes of life, death, and renewal, as seen in the work of Gregory the Dialogist.
Ver. 8, 9. Though the root thereof wax old in the earth, and the stock thereof die in the dust; yet through the scent of water it will bud, and bring forth leaves as when it was first planted.Early Church Fathers on Job 14 →
Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Job 14:8 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThough 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
Read John Gill on Job 14 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryThough the root thereof wax old in the earth, and the stock thereof die in the ground; Though the root thereof wax old in the earth, and the stock thereof die in the ground; No JFB commentary on this verse.
Read Robert Jamieson on Job 14 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleWax old; begin to wither and decay. And the stock die, to wit, in outward appearance.
Read Matthew Poole on Job 14 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsJob 14:8 Though the root thereof wax old in the earth, and the stock thereof die in the ground;Ver. 8. Though the root thereof wax old in the earth] And so the more unlikely to shoot forth again. Trees also have their old age wherein they decay. And the stock thereof die in the ground] Heb. In the dust, as it needs must, when, cut off from the root, it lieth along on the earth. It was by a miracle that Aaron’ s rod flourished: not only all the plants of God’ s setting, but the very boughs cut off from the body of them, shall flourish and be fruitful.
Read John Trapp on Job 14 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges7–12. The irreparable extinction of man’s life in death. His destiny is sadder even than that of the tree. His sleep in death is eternal.
Read Cambridge on Job 14 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleThough the root thereof wax old - Though life becomes almost extinct. The idea is, though the root of the tree be very old, yet it does not become wholly lifeless. It is not like an old man, when life goes out altogether.
Read Albert Barnes on Job 14 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible8. Though — If. The poet supposes another case: that the tree, instead of being cut down, grows old and dies.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Job 14 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
If its roots grow old in the ground and its stump dies in the soil,
Though its root grows old in the earth, and its stock dies in the ground,
If its roots grow old in the ground and its stump dies in the soil,
Although its roots may grow old in the ground and its stump begins to die in the soil,
Tyndale line
Though the root thereof wax old in the earth, and the stock thereof die in the ground;
Though the root thereof wax old in the earth, And the stock thereof die in the ground;
Though the root thereof wax old in the earth, and the stock thereof die in the ground;
Though its root shall become old in the earth, and its stock die in the ground;
Though the roote of it waxe olde in the earth, and the stocke thereof be dead in ye ground,
Strictly literal
Though its root grow old in the earth, and its stock die in the ground,
If its root becometh old in the earth, And its stem doth die in the dust,
If its root becomes old in the earth, || And its stem dies in the dust,
If even its root become old in the earth, and its stock die in the dust:
Though its root grows old in the earth, and its stump dies in the ground,
From the Latin
If its root be old in the earth, and its stock be dead in the dust:
Simplified
Even though its roots grow old in the earth, and its stump dies in the ground,
Though its root may be old in the earth, and its cut-off end may be dead in the dust;
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text matches the Septuagint closely, with six of the seven words corresponding directly. This agreement indicates a strong consistency in the transmission of the text across these traditions.
אִם־ יַזְקִ֣ין בָּאָ֣רֶץ שָׁרְשׁ֑וֹ וּ֝בֶעָפָ֗ר יָמ֥וּת גִּזְעֽוֹ׃
6 of the 7 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Job 14:8
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
אִם (im) is a Hebrew conjunction primarily meaning 'if' and is used in various contexts, including conditional clauses and interrogative situations. It can also express negation, alternatives, or exceptions, and appears frequently in the Old Testament. The lexicons note its use in oaths and its ability to connect different clauses, sometimes altering their meanings.
אִם conj.
hypoth. part. if
Interrog. part.
base
כִּי אם־
each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause:
that if
for if
(About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause—
limiting the prec. clause, except
the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but
after an oath, surely
base
H518a אִם conj. . hypoth. part. if
. Interrog. part.
H518b כִּי אם־ . each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause: . that if
. for if
. (About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause— . limiting the prec. clause, except
. the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but
. after an oath, surely
518 'im eem
a primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!;
interrog., whether?; or conditional, if, although; also Oh
that!, when; hence, as a negative, not:--(and, can-,
doubtless, if, that) (not), + but, either, + except, +
more(-over if, than), neither, nevertheless, nor, oh that, or,
+ save (only, -ing), seeing, since, sith, + surely (no more,
none, not), though, + of a truth, + unless, + verily, when,
whereas, whether, while, + yet.
אִם (im) — if.
: if/whether_or/though
1) if
1a) conditional clauses
1a1) of possible situations
1a2) of impossible situations
1b) oath contexts
1b1) no, not
1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or
1d) when, whenever
1e) since
1f) interrogative particle
1g) but rather
[כִּי] אם (ki im) — if: except.
1) except if
1a) but if
אִם (im) — if: surely no.
: surely_no
1) if
1a) conditional clauses
1a1) of possible situations
1a2) of impossible situations
1b) oath contexts
1b1) no, not
1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or
1d) when, whenever
1e) since
1f) interrogative particle
1g) but rather
אִם (im) — if: surely yes.
: surely_yes
1) if
1a) conditional clauses
1a1) of possible situations
1a2) of impossible situations
1b) oath contexts
1b1) no, not
1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or
1d) when, whenever
1e) since
1f) interrogative particle
1g) but rather
אִם (im) — if: until.
: until/except
Conj — ParticleHTc
זָקֵן (zaqen) is a Hebrew verb meaning to be or become old. It has a basic meaning of aging, with forms indicating both the process of growing old and the state of being old. The entries highlight its use in different grammatical aspects, such as Qal and Hiphil, but do not provide specific verse references.
זָקֵן vb. be or become old
Qal be (or become) old
Hiph. shew age, grow old
base
H2204 זָקֵן be or become old
2204 zaqen zaw-kane'
a primitive root; to be old:--aged man, be (wax) old (man).
זָקֵן (za.qen) — be old.
1) to be old, become old
1a) (Qal) to be old, become old
1b) (Hiphil) to grow old, show age
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Hiphil · imperfect third person masculine singularHVhi3ms
old.
See AGE, OLD.
אֶ֫רֶץ (erets) is a feminine noun meaning 'earth' or 'land.' It encompasses various meanings, including the whole earth, specific territories like Canaan, and even inhabitants of the land. It can refer to soil, ground, or regions, and is used in phrases related to distance and the living. There is a note on the plural form אֲרָצוֹת, which mainly appears in later texts to denote multiple lands.
אֶ֫רֶץ n. f. & (seld.) m. earth, land
earth, whole earth (opp. to a part)
earth, opp. to heaven, sky
earth = inhabitants of earth
land =
country, territory
district, region
trial territory
piece of ground
specif. land of Canaan, or Israel
= inhabitants of land
used even of Shᵉʼôl
ground, surface of ground
soil, as productive
אֶרֶץ in phrases
people of the land
in measurements of distance
the country of the plain, level or plain country
land of the living
end(s) of the earth
pl. אֲרָצוֹת is almost wholly late; it denotes lands, countries, often in contrast to Canaan, lands of the nations, etc.
base
H776 אֶ֫רֶץ n. f. & (seld.) m. earth, land . . earth, whole earth (opp. to a part)
. earth, opp. to heaven, sky
. earth = inhabitants of earth
. land = . country, territory
. district, region
. trial territory
. piece of ground
. specif. land of Canaan, or Israel
. = inhabitants of land
. used even of Shᵉʼôl
. . ground, surface of ground
. soil, as productive
. אֶרֶץ in phrases . people of the land
. in measurements of distance
. the country of the plain, level or plain country
. land of the living
. end(s) of the earth
. pl. אֲרָצוֹת is almost wholly late; it denotes lands, countries, often in contrast to Canaan, lands of the nations, etc.
776 'erets eh'-rets
from an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth
(at large, or partitively a land):--X common, country, earth,
field, ground, land, X natins, way, + wilderness, world.
אֶ֫רֶץ (e.rets) — land: country/planet.
: country/field
1) land, earth
1a) earth
1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part)
1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven)
1a3) earth (inhabitants)
1b) land
1b1) country, territory
1b2) district, region
1b3) tribal territory
1b4) piece of ground
1b5) land of Canaan, Israel
1b6) inhabitants of land
1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world
1b8) city (-state)
1c) ground, surface of the earth
1c1) ground
1c2) soil
1d) (in phrases)
1d1) people of the land
1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance)
1d3) level or plain country
1d4) land of the living
1d5) end(s) of the earth
1e) (almost wholly late in usage)
1e1) lands, countries
1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan
אֶ֫רֶץ (e.rets) — land: soil.
: soil
1) land, earth
1a) earth
1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part)
1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven)
1a3) earth (inhabitants)
1b) land
1b1) country, territory
Prep | N-cs — Preposition · noun common feminine singular absoluteHRd/Ncfsa
The Hebrew word שֹׁ֫רֶשׁ (*sheresh*) means 'root' and can refer to both literal roots and metaphorical uses, such as a foundation or source of something. It is associated with concepts of depth and permanence. The word is derived from a related term, שָׁרַשׁ (*sharash*, H8327), which also pertains to roots.
שֹׁ֫רֶשׁ n.m. root
base
H8328 שֹׁ֫רֶשׁ root
8328 sheresh sheh'-resh
from 8327; a root (literally or figuratively):--bottom,
deep, heel, root.
see HEBREW for 08327
שֹׁ֫רֶשׁ (she.resh) — root.
1) root
1a) root (literal)
1b) root (of people involving firmness or permanence) (fig)
1c) root, bottom (as lowest stratum) (fig)
Aramaic equivalent: sho.resh (שֹׁ֫רֶשׁ "root" H8330)
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHNcmsc/Sp3ms
עָפָר (aphar) refers to dry earth or dust, encompassing meanings such as powder, ashes, and rubbish. It is derived from a root meaning to be dry and is used in various contexts, including clay and mortar. The entries consistently highlight its association with loose earth and debris.
עָפָר n.m. dry earth, dust
base
H6083 עָפָר dry earth, dust
6083 `aphar aw-fawr'
from 6080; dust (as powdered or gray); hence, clay, earth,
mud:--ashes, dust, earth, ground, morter, powder, rubbish.
see HEBREW for 06080
עָפָר (a.phar) — dust.
1) dry earth, dust, powder, ashes, earth, ground, mortar, rubbish
1a) dry or loose earth
1b) debris
1c) mortar
1d) ore
Conj | Prep | N-ms — Conjunction · preposition · noun common masculine singular absoluteHC/Rd/Ncmsa
dust (`aphar; koniortos, chous): Small particles of earth. The word has several figurative and symbolic meanings:
(1) Dust being the material out of which God is said to have formed man (Ge 2:7), it became a symbol of man's frailty (Ps 103:14, "For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust"; compare Ge 18:27; Job 4:19, etc.), and of his mortality (Ge 3:19, "Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return"; compare Job 34:15; Ps 104:29; Ec 3:20…
Dust
Storms of sand and dust sometimes overtake Eastern travellers. They are very dreadful, many perishing under them. Jehovah threatens to bring on the land of Israel, as a punishment for forsaking him, a rain of “powder and dust” (Deut. 28:24).
To cast dust on the head was a sign of mourning (Josh. 7:6); and to sit in dust, of extreme affliction (Isa. 47:1). “Dust” is used to denote the grave (Job 7:21). “To shake off the dust from one’s feet” against another is to renounce all future intercourse with him (Matt. 10:14; Acts 13:51). To “lick the dust” is a sign of…
[MOURNING]
Jos 7:6. Dust or ashes put upon the head was a sign of mourning; sitting in the dust, a sign of affliction, La 3:29 Isa 47:1. "Dust" is also put for the grave, Ge 3:19 Job 7:21. It signifies a multitude, Ge 13:16, and a low and mean condition, 1Sa 2:8. We have two remarkable instances of casting dust recorded in Scripture, and they seem to illustrate a practice common in Asia: those who demanded justice against a criminal were accustomed to throw dust upon him, signifying that he deserved to be cast into the grave.…
מוּת (mūth) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to die' or 'to kill.' It encompasses a range of meanings from dying naturally to being executed as a penalty. The word can refer to both humans and animals, and it includes various forms such as causing death or being killed. There is a distinction in usage based on the subject, whether it is a person or God inflicting death.
מוּת vb. die
Qal
die, of natural or other causes
die as a penalty = be put to death
Po‛lel. kill, put to death, despatch (intens.)
Hiph.
abs., elsewhere c. acc., subj. man
subj. God, by inflicting penalty
of animals killing men
bring to a premature death
Hoph. be killed, put to death
base
H4191 מוּת die .. die, of natural or other causes
. die as a penalty = be put to death
. kill, put to death, despatch (intens.)
. . abs., elsewhere c. acc., subj. man
. subj. God, by inflicting penalty
. of animals killing men
. bring to a premature death
. be killed, put to death
4191 muwth mooth
a primitive root: to die (literally or figuratively);
causatively, to kill:--X at all, X crying, (be) dead (body,
man, one), (put to, worthy of) death, destroy(-er), (cause to,
be like to, must) die, kill, necro(-mancer), X must needs,
slay, X surely, X very suddenly, X in (no) wise.
מוּת (mut) — to die.
1) to die, kill, have one executed
1a)(Qal)
1a1) to die
1a2) to die (as penalty), be put to death
1a3) to die, perish (of a nation)
1a4) to die prematurely (by neglect of wise moral conduct)
1b) (Polel) to kill, put to death, dispatch
1c) (Hiphil) to kill, put to death
1d) (Hophal)
1d1) to be killed, be put to death
1d1a) to die prematurely
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singularHVqi3ms
(muth, gawa`; apothnesko, teleutao): "To die," etc., is of very frequent occurrence, and in the Old Testament is generally the translation of muth, meaning perhaps originally, "to be stretched out" or "prostrate." "To die," should be the consequence of eating the forbidden fruit (Ge 2:17; compare Ge 20:7; 2Ki 1:4,6). "Die" is commonly used of natural death (Ge 5:8; 25:8). It is used also of violent death (Ge 26:9,11; Ex 21:20); punitive (Ex 19:12; 21:12,14; 28:43; Nu…
גֶּ֫זַע (geza') refers to the stock or stem of a tree, particularly the trunk or stump. It is derived from an unused root meaning to cut down trees. The term primarily covers the physical parts of trees, as noted in various lexicons.
[גֶּ֫זַע] n.m. stock, stem
base
H1503 [גֶּ֫זַע] stock, stem
1503 geza' geh'-zah
from an unused root meaning to cut down (trees); the trunk or
stump of a tree (as felled or as planted):--stem, stock.
גֶּ֫זַע (ge.za) — stock.
stem, trunk, stock (of trees)
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHNcmsc/Sp3ms