Job 14:5

Seeing his days [are] determined, the number of his months [are] with thee, thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass;

Seeing {H518} his days {H3117} are determined {H2782}, the number {H4557} of his months {H2320} are with thee, thou hast appointed {H6213} his bounds {H2706} that he cannot pass {H5674};

Since his days are fixed in advance, the number of his months is known to you, and you have fixed the limits which he can't cross;

Since his days are determined and the number of his months is with You, and since You have set limits that he cannot exceed,

Seeing his days are determined, The number of his months is with thee, And thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass;

Commentary

Job 14:5 (KJV) delivers a profound statement on the fixed nature of human life under divine authority. In this verse, Job laments the brevity and limitations of human existence, acknowledging that an individual's lifespan is entirely predetermined by God. It underscores the belief that every person has a set number of days and months, beyond which they cannot pass, highlighting God's absolute sovereignty over life and death.

Context

This verse is found within a deeply reflective and sorrowful monologue by Job in Job chapter 14. Having already expressed the shortness and trouble of man's days (Job 14:1), Job continues to ponder the stark contrast between the cyclical renewal of nature (like a tree that can sprout again) and the irreversible end of human life. His words convey a sense of resignation to this ultimate, unchangeable reality, even as he grapples with his immense suffering and the perceived injustice of his situation.

Key Themes

  • God's Absolute Sovereignty Over Life: The most prominent theme is God's complete control over human life. Phrases like "his days are determined" and "the number of his months are with thee" emphatically declare that the duration of every person's life is not random or self-determined, but precisely ordained by the Creator. This points to a divine plan and purpose for each individual's time on earth, regardless of how short or long it may be.
  • Human Mortality and Finitude: Job 14:5 starkly reminds us of the inherent limitations of human existence. We are mortal beings with an appointed "bound that he cannot pass," signifying that death is a fixed, unyielding boundary. This contrasts sharply with the resilience of nature and underscores humanity's fragility, a truth echoed in Psalm 90:10 regarding the brevity of life.
  • Divine Appointment and Decree: The word "appointed" emphasizes that these limits are not accidental but are set by God's deliberate decree. This highlights the concept of divine wisdom and purpose behind every life, even if the reasons for a particular lifespan are beyond human comprehension. It implies that God has a specific plan for each person's time on earth.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated as "determined" (ื—ึธืจื•ึผืฅ - charuts) carries the meaning of being cut, decided, or decreed, reinforcing the idea of a fixed and unalterable decision. Similarly, "bounds" comes from the Hebrew word choq (ื—ึนืง), which refers to a statute, decree, or appointed limit. Both terms strongly convey the unchangeable nature of God's decree concerning the human lifespan, emphasizing that these boundaries are not arbitrary but established by divine law and wisdom.

Practical Application

Understanding that our days are determined by God has profound implications for how we live:

  • Live with Purpose: Knowing that our time on earth is finite and divinely appointed should compel us to live each day intentionally, seeking to honor God and fulfill the unique purpose for which we were created. This perspective encourages us to make the most of our time, as seen in calls to redeem the time (Ephesians 5:16).
  • Cultivate Trust in God's Sovereignty: This verse offers a powerful reminder that God is in complete control, even over the most fundamental aspect of our existence. It encourages trust in His wisdom and timing, especially during times of suffering or uncertainty, knowing that our lives are known to Him, as reflected in Psalm 139:16.
  • Embrace Humility: Recognizing that our lives are limited by divine decree fosters humility, reminding us that we are dependent creatures, not autonomous beings. It calls us to reflect on the fragility of life, which is like a vapor (James 4:14), and to live in submission to our Creator.
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Cross-References

  • Psalms 39:4 (18 votes)

    LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it [is; that] I may know how frail I [am].

  • Acts 17:26 (17 votes)

    And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;

  • Hebrews 9:27 (14 votes)

    And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

  • Job 12:10 (13 votes)

    In whose hand [is] the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind.

  • Psalms 104:29 (11 votes)

    Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust.

  • Job 21:21 (11 votes)

    For what pleasure [hath] he in his house after him, when the number of his months is cut off in the midst?

  • Luke 12:20 (10 votes)

    But God said unto him, [Thou] fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?