Job 14 (NASB2020)
Job Speaks of the Finality of Death
1“Man, who is born of woman,
Is 14:1 Lit short of daysshort-lived and full of turmoil.
2“Like a flower he comes out and withers.
He also flees like a shadow and does not remain.
3“You also open Your eyes on him
And bring 14:3 As in some ancient versions; MT mehim into judgment with Yourself.
4“Who can make the clean out of the unclean?
No one!
5“Since his days are determined,
The number of his months is with You;
And You have 14:5 Lit madeset his limits so that he cannot pass.
6“Look away from him so that he may 14:6 Lit ceaserest,
Until he 14:6 Lit makes acceptablefulfills his day like a hired worker.
7¶“For there is hope for a tree,
When it is cut down, that it will sprout again,
And its shoots will not 14:7 Or ceasefail.
8“Though its roots grow old in the ground,
And its stump dies in the dry soil,
9At the scent of water it will flourish
And produce sprigs like a plant.
10“But a man dies and lies prostrate.
A person passes away, and where is he?
11“As water 14:11 Lit disappearsevaporates from the sea,
And a river becomes parched and dried up,
12So a man lies down and does not rise.
Until the heavens no longer exist,
14:12 Lit TheyHe will not awake nor be woken from 14:12 Lit theirhis sleep.
13¶“Oh that You would hide me in 14:13 I.e., the netherworldSheol,
That You would conceal me until Your wrath returns to You,
That You would set a limit for me and remember me!
14“If a man dies, will he live again?
All the days of my struggle I will wait
Until my relief comes.
15“You will call, and I will answer You;
You will long for the work of Your hands.
16“For now You number my steps,
You do not observe my sin.
17“My wrongdoing is sealed up in a bag,
And You cover over my 14:17 Or unjust deedguilt.
18¶“But the falling mountain 14:18 Lit witherscrumbles away,
And the rock moves from its place;
19Water wears away stones,
Its torrents wash away the dust of the earth;
So You destroy a man’s hope.
20“You forever overpower him and he departs;
You change his appearance and send him away.
21“His sons achieve honor, but he does not know it;
Or they become insignificant, and he does not perceive it.
22“However, his 14:22 Lit fleshbody pains him,
And his soul mourns for himself.”
Understand Job 14
Walk through Job 14 verse by verse, then read what three commentaries say about the chapter. The explanations are written for new readers.
Read the Job 14 commentary