Job 14:19

KJV

The waters wear the stones: thou washest away the things which grow [out] of the dust of the earth; and thou destroyest the hope of man.

KJV (with Strong's)

The waters {H4325} wear {H7833} the stones {H68}: thou washest away {H7857} the things which grow {H5599} out of the dust {H6083} of the earth {H776}; and thou destroyest {H6} the hope {H8615} of man {H582}.

Complete Jewish Bible

the water wears away its stones, and the floods wash away its soil, so you destroy a person's hope.

Berean Standard Bible

as water wears away the stones and torrents wash away the soil, so You destroy a man’s hope.

American Standard Version

The waters wear the stones; The overflowings thereof wash away the dust of the earth: So thou destroyest the hope of man.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 14:19 is a profound and poignant lament from Job, articulating his deep despair and sense of utter helplessness in the face of overwhelming suffering. Through vivid natural imagery of water eroding stone and washing away vegetation, Job expresses his conviction that God, or the forces God controls, are systematically dismantling his life and, most devastatingly, destroying his very hope for any future or restoration. It stands as a powerful cry of a man who perceives himself to be under relentless divine assault, culminating in the obliteration of his most fundamental human expectation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 14 is a continuation of Job's lament, following his intense dialogues with his friends. In this chapter, Job reflects on the brevity and frailty of human life, contrasting it sharply with the resilience found in nature. He observes that a cut tree has hope of sprouting again ([Job 14:7-9](/job/14-7 "Job 14:7-9 - The Hope of a Tree")), but a human, once fallen, "lies down and does not rise again" ([Job 14:12](/job/14-12 "Job 14:12 - Human Mortality")). Verse 19 intensifies this despair, portraying God as the active agent behind this relentless erosion and destruction of human existence and hope. It serves as a climax to his argument that human life is fleeting and ultimately powerless against divine decree, echoing his earlier cries of distress and his perception of God's overwhelming power, as seen in his initial lament in [Job 3](/job/3 "Job 3 - Job's Lament and Curse of His Birth").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Book of Job is set in the ancient Near East, likely during the patriarchal period, though its exact dating is debated. In this cultural milieu, suffering was often directly linked to sin, a common theological framework upheld by Job's friends. Job, however, vehemently denies this direct correlation in his own case. The imagery in Job 14:19 draws on common observations of the natural world: the slow but inexorable power of water to shape landscapes, and the dependence of vegetation on the earth, which can be swept away by floods. This highlights the vulnerability of human life and endeavors to natural forces, which in Job's theology, are ultimately under divine control. The "hope of man" would have encompassed not just future prosperity but also an honorable legacy, descendants, and a peaceful end, all of which Job felt were being systematically denied.
* **Key Themes:** Job 14:19 powerfully encapsulates several key themes prevalent throughout the book. Firstly, it underscores the **Finitude and Frailty of Human Life**, presenting humanity as utterly vulnerable to forces beyond its control, much like the temporary nature of a shadow or a vanishing cloud ([Job 7:6](/job/7-6 "Job 7:6 - Life as a Fleeting Shadow")). Secondly, it highlights **The Relentless Nature of Suffering and Destruction**, depicted through the imagery of erosion and washing away, which speaks to a slow, persistent, yet ultimately overwhelming destructive force that leaves nothing untouched. Thirdly, and most poignantly, the verse emphasizes **The Destruction of Hope**, which for Job, is the ultimate consequence of his suffering and perceived divine antagonism. This is a recurring theme for Job, who often feels that God has "cut off his hope" ([Job 6:11](/job/6-11 "Job 6:11 - Job's Despair and Lost Hope")). Finally, from Job's perspective, the verse touches upon **Divine Sovereignty and Apparent Indifference**, as he attributes the active "wearing," "washing away," and "destroying" directly to God, portraying a God who seems to be actively working against him, rather than upholding justice or offering comfort.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Wear (Hebrew, _yish'haku'_):** From the root שׁחק (shaḥaq), meaning "to wear away," "grind," "erode," or "pulverize." This word conveys a sense of continuous, relentless, and slow but ultimately powerful process of disintegration. It's not a sudden blow but a persistent, wearing-down action, like water perpetually dripping on stone, gradually shaping and destroying it.
* **Washest away (Hebrew, _tishaṭṭef'_):** From the root שׁטף (shaṭaf), meaning "to overflow," "sweep away," "inundate," or "wash off." This verb suggests a more sudden, overwhelming, and forceful removal, akin to a flood that sweeps away everything in its path. It implies a complete and irreversible removal of what was once rooted and growing, leaving nothing behind.
* **Destroyest (Hebrew, _tovved'_):** From the root אבד (ʾabad), meaning "to perish," "be lost," "destroy," or "cause to be lost." This is a strong and emphatic term, signifying complete annihilation or utter ruin. Applied to "hope," it conveys the absolute obliteration of all expectation, future, and positive outlook, leaving a void of despair. It is the devastating culmination of the previous two images.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The waters wear the stones:"** This opening clause establishes a powerful natural metaphor. Water, seemingly soft and yielding, is depicted as having the capacity for immense, relentless power over time, capable of eroding the hardest substances like stone. This imagery immediately sets a tone of inexorable decay and the overwhelming power of natural forces, which Job perceives as agents of his suffering. It speaks to the gradual, persistent breakdown of what seems most enduring.
* **"thou washest away the things which grow [out] of the dust of the earth;"** The address shifts directly to God ("thou"), implicating divine agency in the destructive processes. The "things which grow out of the dust of the earth" refers to vegetation, symbolizing life, vitality, and human endeavors that spring from the earth. The act of "washing away" suggests a sudden, overwhelming removal, like a flood that uproots and sweeps away all growth. This signifies the active destruction of life's vitality, prosperity, and the very foundations upon which human existence is built.
* **"and thou destroyest the hope of man."** This climactic clause reveals the ultimate consequence of the preceding natural metaphors. The physical erosion and sweeping away of life's foundations culminate in the spiritual and emotional devastation of hope. For Job, God's actions are not merely physical but directly target and annihilate his future expectations, his sense of purpose, and any possibility of restoration or well-being. This is the most profound loss, as hope is essential for human endurance and meaning.

#### Literary Devices
Job 14:19 is rich in **Imagery**, drawing vivid pictures from the natural world: "waters," "stones," "dust of the earth," and "things which grow." These concrete images serve as powerful metaphors for the abstract concept of human suffering and despair. The verse employs **Personification** by attributing active, destructive agency to "waters" (wearing stones) and, more explicitly, to God ("thou washest away," "thou destroyest"). This direct address to God underscores Job's perception of divine involvement in his plight. The progression from the slow erosion of stone to the swift washing away of growth, culminating in the utter **Annihilation** of hope, creates a sense of escalating despair and finality. The concluding phrase, "thou destroyest the hope of man," functions as a form of **Hyperbole**, expressing the complete and overwhelming nature of Job's despair, suggesting that not merely his hope, but *all* human hope, is vulnerable to such divine action. This verse is a quintessential example of **Lament**, a common biblical genre where an individual expresses profound sorrow, complaint, and petition to God in times of distress.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 14:19 presents a stark theological challenge, as Job attributes the relentless destruction of his life and hope directly to God. This perspective, born of profound suffering, grapples with the tension between God's sovereignty and human experience of injustice and despair. While Job's friends maintain a rigid cause-and-effect theology (suffering equals sin), Job's lament pushes against this, questioning God's justice and apparent indifference. The verse highlights the biblical theme of human finitude and the transient nature of earthly life in the face of divine power. However, it also sets the stage for the broader narrative of Job, where God eventually responds, affirming His sovereignty but also revealing His character beyond Job's limited, suffering-induced perception. The destruction of "hope" is particularly poignant, as hope is a foundational element of biblical faith, often tied to God's covenant promises and future deliverance.

* [Psalm 90:5-6](/psalms/90-5 "Psalm 90:5-6 - The Brevity of Human Life") – "You sweep them away as with a flood; they are like a dream, like grass that is renewed in the morning; in the morning it flourishes and is renewed; in the evening it fades and withers."
* [Isaiah 40:6-8](/isaiah/40-6 "Isaiah 40:6-8 - The Fading of Human Flesh and the Enduring Word of God") – "All flesh is grass, and all its beauty is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades when the breath of the Lord blows on it; surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever."
* [Lamentations 3:21-26](/lamentations/3-21 "Lamentations 3:21-26 - The Lord's Faithfulness and Hope in His Steadfast Love") – "But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 'The Lord is my portion,' says my soul, 'therefore I will hope in him.'"

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 14:19 resonates deeply with the human experience of feeling overwhelmed by circumstances beyond control, where life's foundations seem to erode and all hope appears to vanish. It speaks to the raw, unfiltered anguish of despair, whether from illness, loss, injustice, or systemic pressures that slowly or suddenly dismantle one's sense of security and future. In such moments, it is natural to feel that life itself, or even God, is actively working against us, washing away our dreams and destroying our expectations. This verse validates the reality of such profound human suffering and the legitimacy of expressing such desperate cries. For believers, while Job's perspective here is one of profound hopelessness, his lament reminds us that faith does not preclude honest wrestling with God in pain. It challenges us to consider where our ultimate hope lies. Is it in earthly circumstances, which are indeed subject to erosion and destruction, or in something more enduring? The very act of Job's lament, even in its despair, is an act of engagement with God, a testament to a relationship that, though strained, is not broken.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you feel like "the waters wear the stones" or that things are being "washed away," leading to a sense of lost hope?**
* **How do you reconcile Job's perception of God actively destroying hope with your understanding of God's character?**
* **What is the nature of your hope? Is it primarily rooted in earthly circumstances, or in something that transcends them?**
* **How can expressing raw lament, like Job's, be a part of a healthy spiritual journey, even when it feels like despair?**

### FAQ
**Does Job 14:19 imply that God actively seeks to destroy human hope?**

Answer: From Job's perspective in this moment of intense suffering, he certainly perceives God as the active agent behind the destruction of his life and hope. The language "thou washest away" and "thou destroyest" directly attributes these actions to God. However, it's crucial to understand this within the context of Job's lament and the broader narrative of the book. Job is speaking from a place of profound pain and limited understanding, not offering a comprehensive theological statement about God's general character. The book ultimately reveals that while God is sovereign over all things, His purposes are far deeper and more complex than human suffering alone can explain. God allows suffering, but His ultimate intent is not to destroy hope but to refine faith and reveal His glory, as seen in the book's conclusion where Job's hope is ultimately restored and deepened ([Job 42:10-17](/job/42-10 "Job 42:10-17 - God Restores Job's Fortunes")).

**How can believers maintain hope when everything seems lost, as Job describes?**

Answer: Job's lament serves as a powerful reminder of the fragility of earthly life and hopes. For believers, the answer to maintaining hope in the face of such despair lies in shifting the foundation of hope from transient earthly circumstances to the unchanging character and promises of God, particularly as revealed in Jesus Christ. While Job did not have the full revelation of the New Testament, his eventual restoration points to God's faithfulness. In the New Testament, hope is often defined not as a wishful desire but as a confident expectation rooted in God's faithfulness and the resurrection of Jesus. This "living hope" ([1 Peter 1:3](/1_peter/1-3 "1 Peter 1:3 - A Living Hope Through the Resurrection of Jesus Christ")) is an "anchor for the soul, firm and secure" ([Hebrews 6:19](/hebrews/6-19 "Hebrews 6:19 - Hope as an Anchor for the Soul")), capable of holding steady even when the "waters wear the stones" of our lives. It is a hope in a future resurrection, a new heaven and new earth, where God will wipe away every tear ([Revelation 21:4](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - No More Death, Mourning, Crying, or Pain")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job's lament in [Job 14:19](/job/14-19 "Job 14:19 - The Erosion of Hope"), with its cry of hope destroyed by seemingly relentless forces, finds its ultimate answer and fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While Job perceived God as the one who "washes away" and "destroys the hope of man," Christ reveals a God who enters into human frailty and suffering, not to destroy hope, but to secure it eternally. The "waters wear the stones" of our mortal existence, and our earthly lives and hopes are indeed transient, like "things which grow out of the dust of the earth" that can be swept away. However, Jesus, the [resurrection and the life](/john/11-25 "John 11:25 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life"), conquered the ultimate destroyers of human hope: sin and death. Through His crucifixion, He bore the full weight of human despair and the consequences of a fallen world, and through His resurrection, He inaugurated a new creation where hope is no longer subject to erosion or destruction. The hope of man, which Job felt was obliterated, is now anchored in Christ's victory, promising that even if our earthly tent is destroyed, we have an eternal dwelling from God ([2 Corinthians 5:1](/2_corinthians/5-1 "2 Corinthians 5:1 - Our Earthly Tent and Heavenly Dwelling")). In Christ, the ultimate "hope of glory" ([Colossians 1:27](/colossians/1-27 "Colossians 1:27 - Christ in You, the Hope of Glory")) is not washed away but stands firm, guaranteeing a future where God will indeed wipe away every tear and there will be no more death or sorrow ([Revelation 21:4](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - No More Death, Mourning, Crying, or Pain")).

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

Genesis 7:21

¶ And all flesh died that moved upon the earth, both of fowl, and of cattle, and of beast, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth, and every man:

Genesis 7:23

And every living substance was destroyed which was upon the face of the ground, both man, and cattle, and the creeping things, and the fowl of the heaven; and they were destroyed from the earth: and Noah only remained [alive], and they that [were] with him in the ark.

Job 27:8

For what [is] the hope of the hypocrite, though he hath gained, when God taketh away his soul?

Job 19:10

He hath destroyed me on every side, and I am gone: and mine hope hath he removed like a tree.

Psalms 30:6

¶ And in my prosperity I said, I shall never be moved.

Psalms 30:7

LORD, by thy favour thou hast made my mountain to stand strong: thou didst hide thy face, [and] I was troubled.

Luke 12:19

And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, [and] be merry.