Job 14:18

KJV

And surely the mountain falling cometh to nought, and the rock is removed out of his place.

KJV (with Strong's)

And surely {H199} the mountain {H2022} falling {H5307} cometh to nought {H5034}, and the rock {H6697} is removed {H6275} out of his place {H4725}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"Just as a mountain erodes and falls away, its rock is removed from its place,

Berean Standard Bible

But as a mountain erodes and crumbles and a rock is dislodged from its place,

American Standard Version

But the mountain falling cometh to nought; And the rock is removed out of its place;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 14:18 powerfully articulates Job's profound despair through vivid and unsettling natural imagery, asserting that even the most enduring and seemingly immutable elements of the earth—mountains and rocks—are relentlessly subjected to forces of decay and displacement. This verse serves as a potent metaphor for the transient and fragile nature of human existence, highlighting Job's deep conviction that if even the seemingly eternal can be undone, then humanity's fleeting life offers no hope of renewal, permanence, or return from the grave.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within Job's extended lament in [chapter 14](/job/14 "Job 14 - Job's Lament on Human Frailty"), where he grapples profoundly with the brevity, misery, and irreversible nature of human life. Job contrasts humanity's fate with the cyclical renewal observed in the natural world. Earlier in the chapter, he wistfully notes that a cut-down tree retains the hope of sprouting again from its stump, given water ([Job 14:7-9](/job/14-7-9 "Job 14:7-9 - Hope for a Tree, But Not for Man")). However, for a human, once dead, there is no such return to this earthly life; they lie down and do not rise until the heavens are no more ([Job 14:10-12](/job/14-10-12 "Job 14:10-12 - Man's Irreversible Fate")). In verse 18, Job intensifies his argument by shifting from the relatively fragile tree to the seemingly invincible mountains and rocks, which in ancient thought symbolized ultimate permanence. His assertion that even these symbols of stability are ultimately vulnerable to overwhelming forces underscores the absolute nature of decay and dissolution that he perceives, leaving no room for hope in this life.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, mountains and massive rock formations were quintessential symbols of stability, strength, and eternity. They were often perceived as divine dwelling places, unshakeable foundations, or immutable fixtures of the cosmos, frequently invoked in wisdom literature and psalms to represent enduring power or God's steadfastness (e.g., [Psalm 90:2](/psalm/90-2 "Psalm 90:2 - God's Eternity from Everlasting to Everlasting"); [Psalm 125:1](/psalm/125-1 "Psalm 125:1 - Those Who Trust in the Lord Are Like Mount Zion")). Job's use of these potent symbols to illustrate impermanence is therefore particularly striking and counter-cultural, subverting common perceptions to emphasize the absolute nature of decay and change. The imagery likely draws from observations of long-term geological processes such as erosion, landslides, or even seismic activity, which, over vast periods, visibly alter landscapes. Job's profound personal suffering and loss lead him to perceive the world through a lens of universal fragility, where even the most solid foundations appear to crumble.
* **Key Themes:** Job 14:18 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Job. Firstly, it dramatically amplifies the theme of **human fragility and mortality**, arguing that if even the most enduring natural features are temporary, then human life is infinitely more so, offering no hope of reversal or return from the grave. This deepens Job's despair, as he sees no lasting hope for himself in this life, mirroring his earlier laments about the [swift passing of his days](/job/7-6 "Job 7:6 - Job's Fleeting Days") and the [brevity of his life](/job/10-20 "Job 10:20 - Job 10:20 - Job's Plea for Respite"). Secondly, it highlights the **impermanence of creation**, challenging the notion of any absolute stability in the physical world. This theme implicitly points to a greater, **overwhelming power**—whether the relentless forces of nature over eons or, ultimately, the sovereign power of God—that can alter the very foundations of the earth. This power is depicted as relentless and unstoppable, leaving no room for human resistance or permanence, thus reinforcing Job's sense of being utterly at the mercy of forces beyond his control, as he expressed when he felt God was [wearing him away](/job/10-16 "Job 10:16 - God's Relentless Pursuit").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Mountain (Hebrew, _har'_):** H2022, a shortened form of הָרָר; a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively); hill (country), mount(-ain), [idiom] promotion. In this context, "mountain" represents the epitome of stability and permanence. Its "falling" (from H5307, _nâphal_, to fall) signifies a dramatic and catastrophic collapse, subverting its typical symbolism to emphasize an extreme form of decay and loss of integrity.
* **Cometh to nought (Hebrew, _nâbêl'_):** H5034, a primitive root; to wilt; generally, to fall away, fail, faint; figuratively, to be foolish or (morally) wicked; causatively, to despise, disgrace; disgrace, dishounour, lightly esteem, fade (away, -ing), fall (down, -ling, off), do foolishly, come to nought, [idiom] surely, make vile, wither. Applied to a mountain, this word signifies a process of complete disintegration and disappearance, a gradual but inevitable reduction to nothingness, underscoring the irreversible nature of the decay Job describes.
* **Removed (Hebrew, _ʻâthaq'_):** H6275, a primitive root; to remove (intransitive or transitive) figuratively, to grow old; specifically, to transcribe; copy out, leave off, become (wax) old, remove. This term implies a forceful, definitive displacement rather than mere erosion. It suggests that the rock, a symbol of immovability, is actively pulled from its foundation, leaving an empty space where it once stood, reinforcing the idea of utter and irreversible change.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And surely the mountain falling cometh to nought":** Job begins with a stark and emphatic declaration, using the mountain—a quintessential symbol of enduring strength and stability—as his primary example. The phrase "falling cometh to nought" depicts a process of complete disintegration, where even the most massive and seemingly eternal geological formations are not immune to decay and eventual disappearance. This imagery sets a tone of profound impermanence, suggesting that even what appears most solid is ultimately ephemeral and subject to dissolution. The initial "surely" (H199, _ʼûwlâm_) emphasizes the certainty of this bleak observation.
* **"and the rock is removed out of his place":** This second clause parallels and intensifies the first, employing synonymous parallelism. The "rock" (H6697, _tsûwr_), often a symbol of God's steadfastness or an unshakeable refuge, is here depicted as being forcibly "removed" or dislodged from its very foundation (H4725, _mâqôwm_, place). This implies a violent, definitive, and irreversible displacement, leaving behind an absence. Together, these two clauses paint a comprehensive picture of universal decay and instability, where no physical entity, however grand or solid, can withstand the relentless forces of time and change.

#### Literary Devices
Job 14:18 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message of profound despair and the impermanence of existence. The primary device is **Metaphor** and **Analogy**, where the seemingly immutable "mountain" and "rock" serve as powerful symbols for permanence and stability. By depicting their "falling," "coming to nought," and being "removed," Job creates a stark analogy for the fragility of human life. If even these grand, enduring features of the earth can be undone, how much more fleeting and vulnerable is humanity? This also borders on **Hyperbole**, as the literal "coming to nought" of a mountain or the complete "removal" of a rock might be an exaggeration intended to emphasize the extreme nature of the decay and change Job perceives in his suffering. Furthermore, the verse utilizes **Synonymous Parallelism**, where the second clause ("and the rock is removed out of his place") reiterates and intensifies the idea presented in the first clause ("And surely the mountain falling cometh to nought"), reinforcing the central theme of universal impermanence through two distinct but related images. The overall tone is one of deep **Lament** and despair, reflecting Job's personal suffering and his bleak outlook on mortality.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 14:18 stands as a stark declaration of the transient nature of all created things, even those that appear most enduring. Theologically, it challenges any human tendency to place ultimate trust or hope in the stability of the physical world or in human longevity. By portraying mountains and rocks—ancient symbols of permanence—as subject to decay and removal, Job implicitly points to a profound truth that transcends the created order: only God is truly eternal, immutable, and unchanging. This verse thus serves as a powerful reminder of divine sovereignty over creation and time, highlighting that all physical existence is contingent upon the will and sustaining power of the Creator. It underscores the vast chasm between human finitude and God's infinite, unshakeable nature, compelling the reader to seek an enduring hope beyond the fleeting realities of this world and to anchor their faith in the One who remains steadfast when all else crumbles.

* [Psalm 90:2](/psalm/90-2 "God's Eternity from Everlasting to Everlasting")
* [Isaiah 40:6-8](/isaiah/40-6-8 "The Fading of All Flesh, the Enduring Word of God")
* [Hebrews 12:26-27](/hebrews/12-26-27 "The Shaking of Creation and the Unshakeable Kingdom")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 14:18, though born from a place of profound suffering and despair, offers a timeless and sobering perspective on the nature of reality. It challenges our often-unconscious assumption that the world around us, or even our own lives, possess an inherent permanence. In a culture that frequently prioritizes material accumulation, fleeting achievements, and the pursuit of earthly security, Job's lament serves as a powerful counter-narrative. It calls us to acknowledge the inherent impermanence of all physical things—our possessions, our health, our relationships, and even the very landscapes we inhabit. This recognition is not meant to induce despair but to reorient our focus. If mountains can "come to nought" and rocks be "removed," then our ultimate hope and security must be anchored in something that transcends the temporal. This verse implicitly points us toward the eternal, the unchanging, and the truly steadfast. It invites us to consider what foundations are truly unshakeable and to invest our lives in that which will endure beyond the decay of this world, fostering a deeper reliance on God's eternal nature rather than on transient earthly realities. It encourages us to cultivate a spiritual perspective that values the eternal over the temporal, prompting us to live with intentionality, purpose, and a profound awareness of the brevity of life and the enduring nature of God's kingdom.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "mountains" or "rocks" in your life—things you consider stable and permanent—might actually be subject to decay or removal, and how does this realization affect your sense of security?**
* **How does the impermanence of creation, as highlighted by Job, challenge your priorities and where you place your ultimate trust and hope?**
* **In what ways can acknowledging the fleeting nature of earthly life motivate you to live with a greater sense of eternal perspective and purpose, investing in things that truly last?**

### FAQ
**Does Job 14:18 suggest that God is weak or that creation is out of control?**

Answer: No, quite the opposite. While Job's lament expresses his personal despair and the perceived relentless nature of decay, the verse implicitly points to an overwhelming power that can effect such changes. In the broader biblical narrative, this power is ultimately God's. The fact that even the most enduring parts of creation are subject to change and "come to nought" or are "removed" underscores God's absolute sovereignty over all things, including the processes of time and decay. Far from suggesting weakness, it highlights God's immense power to create, sustain, and ultimately, to bring all things to their appointed end or transformation. The very impermanence of creation serves to magnify the eternal and unchangeable nature of God himself, who is the true and only constant, as affirmed in [Psalm 102:25-27](/psalm/102-25-27 "God's Enduring Nature Amidst Changing Creation") where the heavens and earth will perish, but God remains.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Job 14:18 articulates a profound despair over the impermanence of creation and human life, its bleak outlook finds its ultimate answer and transformation in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "mountain falling" and "rock removed" speak to a world subject to decay and dissolution, a reality that sin introduced and which Job acutely felt. However, Christ stands as the eternal "Rock" (as seen in [1 Corinthians 10:4](/1_corinthians/10-4 "Christ as the Spiritual Rock")) who cannot be moved or brought to nought. His resurrection from the dead decisively conquered the power of decay and death that Job so lamented, offering the promise of an imperishable inheritance and a living hope ([1 Peter 1:3-4](/1_peter/1-3-4 "A Living Hope Through Resurrection")). Furthermore, while the old creation is subject to decay, Christ inaugurates a new creation, a kingdom that "cannot be shaken" ([Hebrews 12:28](/hebrews/12-28 "Receiving an Unshakeable Kingdom")), culminating in the promise of a new heavens and a new earth where "there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain" ([Revelation 21:4](/revelation/21-4 "No More Death or Pain in the New Creation")). Thus, the despair of Job 14:18, highlighting the transient nature of all earthly things, ultimately points to the enduring hope found only in Christ, who is the same "yesterday and today and forever" ([Hebrews 13:8](/hebrews/13-8 "Jesus Christ, Unchanging Forever")), and in whom all things hold together and find their ultimate purpose ([Colossians 1:17](/colossians/1-17 "Christ, the Sustainer of All Things")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Revelation 6:14

And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.

Job 18:4

He teareth himself in his anger: shall the earth be forsaken for thee? and shall the rock be removed out of his place?

Jeremiah 4:24

I beheld the mountains, and, lo, they trembled, and all the hills moved lightly.

Revelation 20:11

¶ And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

Revelation 8:8

And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea became blood;

Isaiah 64:1

¶ Oh that thou wouldest rend the heavens, that thou wouldest come down, that the mountains might flow down at thy presence,

Isaiah 40:12

¶ Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance?