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Job 14:8

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Job 14:8 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Though the root thereof wax old in the earth, And the stock thereof die in the ground;” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Though the root thereof wax old in the earth, And the stock thereof die in the ground;
Job 14:8 — American Standard Version

Context — Job 14

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
5Seeing his days are determined, The number of his months is with thee, And thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass;
6Look away from him, that he may rest, Till he shall accomplish, as a hireling, his day.
7For there is hope of a tree, If it be cut down, that it will sprout again, And that the tender branch thereof will not cease.
8Though the root thereof wax old in the earth, And the stock thereof die in the ground;
9Yet through the scent of water it will bud, And put forth boughs like a plant.
10But man dieth, and is laid low: Yea, man giveth up the ghost, and where is he?
11[As] the waters fail from the sea, And the river wasteth and drieth up;
← Job 14:7Job 14:9 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Though the root thereof wax old in the earth, etc.] 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 f592 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 stock or trunk, separated from the root, and as it lies along, will sprout again, as particularly in elms: but it may rather mean, since it is said to be “in the ground”, that part of the stock or stump left in the ground, from whence the…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Though 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. In the very aged root there will be vitality still; but not so in man. Though the stock thereof - The stump - literally that which is cut off - גזעוּ geza‛ô. The meaning is, that when the trunk of the tree is cut down and dies altogether, life remains in the root; but when man fails, life is wholly extinct. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Die - To outward appearance. Job 14:9”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“die in the ground: Isa 26:19; Joh 12:24; Co1 15:36 Job 14:9”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification