Job 14:2

KJV

He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not.

KJV (with Strong's)

He cometh forth {H3318} like a flower {H6731}, and is cut down {H5243}: he fleeth {H1272} also as a shadow {H6738}, and continueth {H5975} not.

Complete Jewish Bible

He comes up like a flower and withers away, flees like a shadow, doesn't last.

Berean Standard Bible

Like a flower, he comes forth, then withers away; like a fleeting shadow, he does not endure.

American Standard Version

He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: He fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 14:2, embedded within Job's profound and deeply personal lament, offers a stark and universally resonant reflection on the inherent brevity, exquisite fragility, and inescapable transience of human life. Through the vivid yet somber metaphors of a fleeting flower and a disappearing shadow, the verse encapsulates the universal human experience of a swift emergence into existence, followed by an inevitable and often abrupt departure, powerfully underscoring the insubstantial and impermanent nature of our earthly sojourn in the face of suffering and mortality.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 14:2 forms a poignant part of Job's third and final discourse to his friends (chapters 12-14), specifically within a deeply melancholic soliloquy on the human condition found in [Job 14](/job/14 "Job 14 - Man's Frailty and Hope in Death"). Following his opening declaration in [Job 14:1](/job/14-1 "Job 14:1 - Man's Few Days and Trouble") that "Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble," this verse expands upon the theme of human frailty and mortality with striking poetic imagery. Job is grappling not only with his personal, inexplicable suffering but also with the universal reality of death and the apparent lack of lasting purpose or hope in human existence, especially when contrasted with the cyclical renewal observed in nature, such as a tree's hope for regrowth in [Job 14:7-9](/job/14-7-9 "Job 14:7-9 - Hope for a Tree"). The verse's vivid metaphors amplify his despair and serve as a rhetorical foundation for his subsequent questions about the meaning of life and death, particularly the stark contrast between human mortality and nature's capacity for renewal.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Book of Job is generally situated within the patriarchal period, though its precise authorship and dating remain subjects of scholarly debate. The cultural backdrop is distinctly ancient Near Eastern, where life was often precarious and short, frequently marked by disease, famine, and conflict. The metaphors of flowers and shadows would have been immediately and profoundly understood by an agrarian society intimately familiar with the rapid blooming and wilting of desert flora, and the fleeting, insubstantial nature of shadows cast by the intense sun. While ancient cultures often held beliefs about an afterlife (such as the shadowy realm of Sheol in the Hebrew Bible), the primary emphasis in Job's lament here is on the *earthly* brevity and vulnerability of human life. This recognition of humanity's limited lifespan compared to the enduring divine or natural order was a common and profound theme in ancient wisdom literature, reflecting a realistic appraisal of the human condition.

* **Key Themes:** Job 14:2 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes evident throughout the book of Job and within broader biblical theology. Firstly, it starkly highlights the **Brevity and Fragility of Life**, emphasizing how quickly human existence begins and ends, likened to a blossom that flourishes only to be "cut down." This theme resonates deeply throughout Scripture, notably in [Psalm 90:5-6](/psalms/90-5-6 "Psalm 90:5-6 - Life Like Grass and Flowers") and [Psalm 103:15-16](/psalms/103-15-16 "Psalm 103:15-16 - Man's Days Like Grass"). Secondly, the verse underscores the **Transience and Insignificance** of human presence, likening it to a "shadow" that lacks substance and quickly disappears, a concept also explored in [Psalm 102:11](/psalms/102-11 "Psalm 102:11 - Days Like a Shadow") and [Ecclesiastes 6:12](/ecclesiastes/6-12 "Ecclesiastes 6:12 - Life as a Shadow"). Finally, it reinforces the **Universal Mortality** of humanity, a truth that transcends social status, righteousness, or suffering, affecting all without exception. This stark reality serves as a foundational premise for Job's wrestling with divine justice and the ultimate meaning of life and suffering.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Cometh forth (Hebrew, _yâtsâʼ'_):** This verb (H3318) denotes the act of "going out" or "coming forth," encompassing a wide variety of applications from literal emergence to figurative appearance. In the context of "He cometh forth like a flower," it signifies the initiation of life, the act of being born and emerging into existence. It captures the initial burst of vitality and presence, setting the stage for the subsequent imagery of brevity.
* **Cut down (Hebrew, _nâmal'_):** The verb (H5243) means "to become clipped or circumcised," and by extension, "to be cut down or off." While the English "cut down" might suggest a violent or external force, the Hebrew primarily conveys the idea of being severed or brought to an end, often implying a natural process of decay or being removed. In relation to a flower, it speaks of wilting, fading, or being harvested, indicating an inherent, internal vulnerability to decay and death rather than solely external destruction. It highlights the natural, unavoidable end of the flower's (and thus, human) life cycle.
* **Shadow (Hebrew, _tsêl'_):** This noun (H6738) literally means "shade" or "shadow." As a metaphor for human life, it powerfully conveys insubstantiality, lack of permanence, and a fleeting presence. A shadow has no true substance, leaves no lasting trace, and quickly vanishes with the changing light or the disappearance of the object casting it. It underscores the ephemeral nature of human existence, suggesting that life passes by as quickly and unsubstantially as a passing shadow.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down:"** This initial clause vividly portrays the beginning and swift end of human life. "He cometh forth" signifies birth and initial flourishing, a brief period of vitality and beauty, much like a flower bursting into bloom. The immediate conjunction "and is cut down" (or "and withers") underscores the swiftness and inevitability of life's end. It suggests that just as quickly as life appears, it succumbs to decay and death, highlighting its inherent fragility and the abruptness with which it can cease, often without warning or prolonged decline.
* **"he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not."** The second part of the verse introduces another powerful simile, reinforcing and intensifying the message of the first. "He fleeth also as a shadow" emphasizes the insubstantial and non-abiding nature of human existence. A shadow is transient, without substance, leaves no lasting impression, and quickly disappears with the shifting light or the absence of its source. The concluding phrase, "and continueth not," serves as a definitive statement of human impermanence. It leaves no room for doubt about the finality of earthly life, asserting that human presence is not lasting or enduring, but rather fleeting and ultimately without a permanent earthly legacy.

#### Literary Devices
Job 14:2 is rich in **Imagery** and employs striking **Simile** to convey its profound message. The primary literary device is **Simile**, where human life is explicitly compared to a "flower" and a "shadow" using the comparative "like" or "as." The "flower" simile evokes beauty, vitality, and rapid growth, immediately contrasted with its swift wilting or being "cut down," emphasizing fragility and brevity. The "shadow" simile further reinforces this by highlighting insubstantiality, transience, and the lack of lasting presence. The verse also utilizes **Parallelism**, specifically **Synonymous Parallelism**, where the second half of the verse ("he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not") reiterates and intensifies the meaning of the first half ("He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down") through different but complementary imagery. This repetition with variation deepens the impact of Job's lament, driving home the universal truth of human mortality with poetic force. The overall tone is one of **Lament**, characteristic of Job's speeches, expressing deep sorrow and despair over the human condition and the apparent finality of death.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 14:2, while born of profound personal suffering and a limited understanding of the afterlife, articulates a fundamental theological truth about human finitude before an eternal God. It serves as a stark reminder of humanity's creaturely status, dependent and transient, in contrast to the Creator's enduring sovereignty and eternality. This verse implicitly challenges human pride and self-sufficiency, compelling a humble recognition of our vulnerability and the ultimate limits of our control over life and death. While Job's lament here is framed by despair, the broader biblical narrative consistently uses the brevity of life as a call to wisdom, to number our days, and to seek that which truly endures beyond the temporal. It sets the stage for a deeper longing for a lasting hope, a hope that Job himself would eventually glimpse, albeit imperfectly, in his declaration of a Redeemer who lives.

* [Psalm 90:5-6](/psalms/90-5-6 "Psalm 90:5-6 - Life as Grass and Flowers")
* [Psalm 103:15-16](/psalms/103-15-16 "Psalm 103:15-16 - Man's Days Like Grass")
* [James 4:14](/james/4-14 "James 4:14 - Life is a Vapor")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job's poignant observation in [Job 14:2](/job/14-2 "Job 14:2 - Brevity of Life"), though steeped in suffering, offers profound and timeless insights for all humanity. The stark reality of our fleeting existence, likened to a flower that quickly withers or a shadow that vanishes, compels us to confront our mortality not with despair, but with a renewed sense of purpose and urgency. This verse calls us to a humble acknowledgment of our dependence on God, reminding us that our days are numbered and ultimately belong to Him. It challenges us to live intentionally, to prioritize what truly matters, and to invest our brief time in pursuits that have eternal significance rather than chasing after the ephemeral "shadows" of this world. Understanding the brevity of life should not paralyze us with fear, but rather liberate us to live more fully, more gratefully, and more faithfully, recognizing that every moment is a precious gift. It prompts us to consider our legacy not in terms of earthly accumulation, but in terms of our relationship with God and our impact on others for His glory, knowing that true lasting value is found only in Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does acknowledging the brevity of life impact your daily priorities and long-term goals?**
* **In what ways does the imagery of a "flower" and a "shadow" deepen your understanding of human fragility and dependence on God?**
* **Given the transient nature of earthly existence, what "lasting value" are you investing in that transcends this life?**
* **How does this verse encourage you to live more purposefully and gratefully in the present moment?**

### FAQ
**How does Job's perspective here compare to other biblical views on life and death?**

Answer: Job's lament in [Job 14:2](/job/14-2 "Job 14:2 - Brevity of Life") articulates a common ancient Near Eastern and Old Testament understanding of human mortality: life is short, fragile, and ends in death, with little clear hope for a vibrant afterlife beyond the shadowy realm of Sheol. This perspective is echoed in many Psalms, such as [Psalm 90](/psalms/90 "Psalm 90 - Prayer of Moses"), which emphasizes the brevity of human days, and [Ecclesiastes](/ecclesiastes/1 "Ecclesiastes - Vanity of All Things"), which repeatedly highlights the "vanity" and fleeting nature of all earthly endeavors. However, while Job expresses despair over this reality, the broader biblical narrative develops a more profound hope. Later Old Testament passages, like [Psalm 16:10-11](/psalms/16-10-11 "Psalm 16:10-11 - Path of Life") and [Daniel 12:2](/daniel/12-2 "Daniel 12:2 - Resurrection to Everlasting Life"), begin to hint at resurrection and eternal life. The New Testament, ultimately, provides the full revelation of triumph over death through Jesus Christ, transforming the understanding of mortality from a despairing end to a gateway to eternal life for believers.

**Does this verse promote a pessimistic view of life?**

Answer: While [Job 14:2](/job/14-2 "Job 14:2 - Brevity of Life") is undeniably part of a lament and expresses a somber, realistic assessment of human mortality, it is not inherently pessimistic in a nihilistic sense. Instead, it serves as a foundational truth upon which deeper theological reflection can build. For Job, it is a cry of despair in the face of inexplicable suffering and the apparent finality of death. However, for the reader, acknowledging this stark reality can serve as a catalyst for wisdom and a search for ultimate meaning beyond the temporal. It prompts us to consider what truly endures and to seek a hope that transcends the limitations of our earthly "flower" or "shadow" existence. In this way, it can lead not to pessimism, but to a more profound appreciation for life, a clearer sense of priorities, and a yearning for the eternal hope found in God, who alone offers true and lasting substance.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job's lament in [Job 14:2](/job/14-2 "Job 14:2 - Brevity of Life"), with its poignant imagery of human life as a fleeting flower and a vanishing shadow, finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Humanity's inherent fragility and inevitable demise, so keenly felt by Job, are precisely what Christ entered to redeem. The Son of God, who is eternal and without beginning or end, chose to "come forth like a flower" in human flesh, subject to the same brevity and vulnerability of life, even to the point of being "cut down" in death on the cross. Yet, unlike all others, His death was not the final word. He "fleeth also as a shadow" from the tomb, not into oblivion, but into glorious resurrection, conquering death and continuing forever. Through His resurrection, Jesus became the "firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep" ([1 Corinthians 15:20](/1_corinthians/15-20 "1 Corinthians 15:20 - Christ the Firstfruits")), transforming the despair of mortality into the promise of eternal life. He is the true "substance" ([Colossians 2:17](/colossians/2-17 "Colossians 2:17 - Shadow of Things to Come")), not a shadow, and in Him, our fleeting lives gain eternal significance. For those who believe, the brevity of earthly existence is no longer a cause for ultimate despair, but a temporary sojourn leading to an everlasting dwelling with the One who is "the resurrection and the life" ([John 11:25](/john/11-25 "John 11:25 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life")), ensuring that we "continueth" with Him forever, beyond the reach of the grave.

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

Isaiah 40:6

The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh [is] grass, and all the goodliness thereof [is] as the flower of the field:

Isaiah 40:8

The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.

Job 8:9

(For we [are but of] yesterday, and know nothing, because our days upon earth [are] a shadow:)

1 Peter 1:24

¶ For all flesh [is] as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:

Psalms 103:15

[As for] man, his days [are] as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.

Psalms 103:16

For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.

1 Chronicles 29:15

For we [are] strangers before thee, and sojourners, as [were] all our fathers: our days on the earth [are] as a shadow, and [there is] none abiding.