Job 14:7

“For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, etc.] 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, (<270415>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” f587 its state and condition, and become flourishing again: or “renew” f588 itself; and its strength, and put out new shoots and branches; either it will rise up into a new body, as the laurel, as Pliny f589 relates, or produce new sprouts as the willow, alder tree, and others; for this is not true of every tree, though it may be of many; for it is…”

“Man may the more claim a peaceful life, since, when separated from it by death, he never returns to it. This does not deny a future life, but a return to the present condition of life. Job plainly hopes for a future state (Job 14:13; Job 7:2). Still, it is but vague and trembling hope, not assurance; excepting the one bright glimpse in Job 19:25. The Gospel revelation was needed to change fears, hopes, and glimpses into clear and definite certainties.”

“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, whether Job believed in the future state, or in the resurrection of the dead? On this question one or two things are clear at the outset. (1) He did not believe that man would spring up from the grave in any…”

“that it will sprout: Job 14:14, Job 19:10; Isa 11:1, Isa 27:6; Dan 4:15, Dan 4:23-25 Job 14:8”

“7 For there is hope for a tree: If it is hewn down, it sprouts again, And its shoot ceaseth not. 8 If its root becometh old in the ground, And its trunk dieth off in the dust: 9 At the scent of water it buddeth, And bringeth forth branches like a young plant. As the tree falleth so it lieth, says a cheerless proverb. Job, a true child of his age, has a still sadder conception of the destiny of man in death; and the conflict through which he is passing makes this sad conception still sadder than it otherwise is. The fate of the tree is far from being so hopeless as that of man; for (1) if a tree is hewn down, it (the stump left in the ground) puts forth new shoots (on החליף, vid., on Psa…”