Job 14:7

KJV

¶ For 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.

KJV (with Strong's)

For there is {H3426} hope {H8615} of a tree {H6086}, if it be cut down {H3772}, that it will sprout again {H2498}, and that the tender branch {H3127} thereof will not cease {H2308}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"For a tree, there is hope that if cut down, it will sprout again, that its shoots will continue to grow.

Berean Standard Bible

For there is hope for a tree: If it is cut down, it will sprout again, and its tender shoots will not fail.

American Standard Version

For 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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 14:7 is a profound expression of Job's deep anguish, where he contrasts the inherent capacity for renewal observed in the natural world, specifically a felled tree, with humanity's seemingly irreversible fate of death. This poignant lament underscores Job's profound suffering and his yearning for a hope that transcends the grave, as he perceives no such earthly regeneration for human life, thereby amplifying his despair in the face of mortality.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 14:7 is situated within Job's extended lament in [Job 14](/job/14 "Job 14 - Job's Lament on Human Mortality"), a chapter saturated with his reflections on the brevity and frailty of human life. Preceding this verse, Job vividly describes humanity's fleeting existence, stating, "Man, who is born of a woman, is of few days and full of trouble" ([Job 14:1](/job/14-1 "Job 14:1 - Humanity's Frailty")). He pleads with God for respite, acknowledging his impending death. Within this context of profound human limitation and the perceived finality of earthly life, Job introduces the image of the tree's resilience. This comparison is not offered as a source of comfort for himself, but rather as a stark and painful contrast that magnifies his own sense of hopelessness regarding any return to physical life on earth. The verse thus serves to intensify his desperate longing for a renewal that he believes is denied to humanity.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Near Eastern agrarian societies, the observation of nature's cycles was integral to daily life and provided foundational metaphors for understanding existence. Trees, particularly robust species like oaks, sycamores, or olive trees common in the region, were well-known for their remarkable ability to regenerate even after being severely cut down or burned. A stump, though appearing lifeless, could send forth new shoots, symbolizing an enduring life force, continuity, and the emergence of life from apparent destruction. This natural phenomenon was a powerful and universally understood metaphor for resilience and renewal. Job's audience would have immediately grasped the implications of this image. His lament draws upon this common natural law to highlight what he perceives as the unique and tragic exception of human mortality, where, from his perspective, no such earthly regeneration occurs. This observation serves as a springboard for the profound theological questions about life, death, and divine justice that permeate the book of Job, a narrative deeply rooted in the cultural and environmental observations of its time.
* **Key Themes:** The central theme of [Job 14:7](/job/14-7 "Job 14:7 - The Hope of a Tree") is the **stark contrast between nature's enduring resilience and humanity's perceived mortality**. Job observes the regenerative power of the natural world, specifically a tree that can sprout anew even after being felled, and uses this observation to underscore the apparent finality of human death. This leads to a profound expression of **despair and a yearning for renewal**. While the verse speaks of "hope" for a tree, it ironically serves to amplify Job's own deep sense of hopelessness regarding his earthly life, as articulated in [Job 14:10](/job/14-10 "Job 14:10 - Man's Finality"). He yearns for a similar prospect of renewal for himself, highlighting his suffering and desire for an end to his afflictions or a hope that extends beyond the grave. This lament also subtly touches upon the **cycle of life and death** evident in the plant kingdom, a concept deeply understood in ancient agricultural societies, yet it poses a challenging question about whether humanity is excluded from such a cycle of earthly rebirth. Job's words set the stage for the book's larger theological exploration of suffering, divine justice, and the ultimate hope found in God's sovereignty.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Hope (Hebrew, _tiqvâh'_):** From H8615, this word literally means "a cord (as an attachment)" and figuratively, "expectancy." In this context, _tiqvâh_ signifies a strong expectation, anticipation, or possibility. For the tree, this "hope" is a tangible, almost inevitable outcome based on observable natural processes. However, for Job, the application of this word to the tree ironically highlights his own profound lack of such a tangible expectation or prospect for human life beyond the grave.
* **Cut down (Hebrew, _kârath'_):** From H3772, this primitive root means "to cut (off, down or asunder)" and by implication, "to destroy or consume." It vividly describes the act of felling a tree, an action that typically signifies its end or destruction. The use of this word emphasizes the severity of the blow, making the subsequent regeneration even more remarkable and contrasting it sharply with the perceived finality of human death.
* **Sprout again (Hebrew, _châlaph'_):** From H2498, this primitive root means "to slide by," and by implication, "to hasten away, pass on, spring up, pierce or change." In this context, it specifically means "to renew" or "to sprout." It powerfully describes the process of fresh growth emerging from an old, seemingly dead stump. This word emphasizes a transformation from dormancy or apparent death back to vibrant life, signifying a complete renewal of vitality.
* **Tender branch (Hebrew, _yôwneqeth'_):** From H3127, this feminine noun means "a sprout" or "young twig." The imagery evokes vulnerability and newness, emphasizing that even from a cut-down tree, the new growth is not merely a continuation but a fresh, vital emergence. It underscores the persistent life force inherent in the tree, a force that Job believes is tragically absent in human mortality.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For there is hope of a tree":** This opening clause establishes the premise of Job's observation, highlighting a certainty or strong expectation concerning the natural world, specifically a tree. The "hope" here is not a mere wish but a reliable outcome based on the tree's inherent biological capacity for regeneration.
* **"if it be cut down":** This conditional clause describes the state of apparent destruction or death. The tree is not merely dormant but has suffered a severe blow, being felled or chopped down, suggesting an end to its visible life and productivity. This condition sets up the remarkable contrast that follows.
* **"that it will sprout again":** This clause presents the miraculous outcome. Despite being cut down, the tree possesses the ability to regenerate. New shoots will emerge from the stump or roots, indicating a renewal of life. This is the core observation of nature's resilience that Job contrasts with human mortality.
* **"and that the tender branch thereof will not cease":** This final clause reinforces the persistence and continuity of this new life. The "tender branch" signifies fresh, young growth, and the phrase "will not cease" emphasizes that this new life is not fleeting but will continue to grow and develop, ensuring the tree's ongoing existence. It speaks to the enduring vitality of the tree's root system.

#### Literary Devices
Job 14:7 is rich in literary devices that amplify its emotional and theological impact. The most prominent device is **Contrast**, as Job starkly juxtaposes the regenerative power of a tree with the perceived irreversible finality of human death. This contrast serves to highlight Job's profound despair and the unique tragedy he feels about human mortality. The tree itself functions as a **Metaphor** for natural resilience and the cycle of renewal, while implicitly serving as a **Simile** for what Job wishes humanity could experience but believes it cannot. There is also a strong element of **Irony** in the use of the word "hope" (תִּקְוָה, _tiqvâh_) in relation to the tree; this "hope" for the tree only serves to underscore Job's own overwhelming lack of hope for himself in the face of death. The verse is embedded within a larger **Lament**, characteristic of Job's speeches, where he expresses his suffering, questions, and deep sorrow to God. The vivid imagery of the "tender branch" (יוֹנַקְתּוֹ, _yôwneqeth_) also employs **Imagery** to evoke a sense of new, vulnerable, yet persistent life emerging from apparent death.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 14:7, though articulated from a position of profound despair and a limited understanding of the afterlife, inadvertently raises one of humanity's most enduring theological questions: the nature of life beyond death and the possibility of resurrection. Job's keen observation of the tree's resilience points to an inherent principle of renewal woven into the fabric of creation, a principle that he feels is tragically denied to humanity. This lament, therefore, sets the stage for a deeper exploration of divine power over life and death, and the ultimate hope that is later fully revealed in God's redemptive plan. While Job cannot yet conceive of it, the very resilience he observes in nature subtly testifies to a Creator whose power extends far beyond natural cycles, encompassing the power to bring life out of death for humanity as well, culminating in the promise of resurrection.

* [1 Corinthians 15:42](/1_corinthians/15-42 "1 Corinthians 15:42 - The Resurrection Body")
* [Isaiah 11:1](/isaiah/11-1 "Isaiah 11:1 - The Branch from Jesse")
* [Psalm 1:3](/psalms/1-3 "Psalm 1:3 - The Prosperous Tree")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 14:7 offers a profound invitation to ponder the nature of hope, particularly in the face of suffering and mortality. Job's raw honesty about his despair, amplified by his observation of nature's resilience, resonates deeply with the human experience of loss and the yearning for renewal. In moments of overwhelming challenge, when earthly hope seems absent and life feels "cut down," Job's lament reminds us that even within the natural world, there is a testament to life's persistence. For believers, this verse, while highlighting Job's limited earthly perspective, implicitly points to a greater hope. The New Testament reveals the glorious promise of resurrection, where death is not the final word, and human life, through Christ, can indeed "sprout again" into eternal life. It challenges us to look beyond the visible cycles of nature to the divine power that brings new life out of apparent death, whether in the spiritual realm through regeneration or in the ultimate promise of bodily resurrection. This perspective transforms despair into an enduring confidence in God's sovereign power over life and death.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Job's observation of nature's resilience challenge or affirm your understanding of human mortality?**
* **In what areas of your life do you feel a similar "lack of hope" compared to what you observe in the world around you, and how might a divine perspective change this?**
* **How does the Christian hope of resurrection transform the despair Job expresses, and how does it inform your perspective on life and death, especially in times of loss?**

### FAQ
**Is Job 14:7 a verse of hope or despair?**

Answer: While the verse uses the word "hope" in relation to a tree, it is primarily a verse of profound despair for Job himself. Job observes the natural resilience of a tree, which can regenerate after being cut down, and uses this observation to highlight the *absence* of such hope for human life. He laments that unlike a tree, a human being, once dead, does not return to earthly life. Thus, the "hope" for the tree serves as an ironic and painful contrast, amplifying Job's own sense of hopelessness regarding his earthly existence and his deep yearning for a renewal he believes is denied to him.

**What is the significance of the "tender branch" in this verse?**

Answer: The "tender branch" (יוֹנַקְתּוֹ, _yôwneqeth_) emphasizes the newness, vulnerability, and yet the persistent vitality of the life emerging from the seemingly dead tree stump. It's not just that the tree revives, but that it sends forth fresh, young growth, symbolizing a complete renewal and continuation of life. This imagery underscores the remarkable and enduring life force inherent in the tree's root system, a force that Job sorrowfully contrasts with the perceived finality of human death, which he believes lacks such a capacity for earthly regeneration.

**Does this verse contradict later biblical teaching on resurrection?**

Answer: No, this verse does not contradict later biblical teaching on resurrection. Instead, it reflects Job's limited understanding and perspective *before* the full revelation of God's redemptive plan and the promise of resurrection. Job's lament expresses a deep human longing for renewal beyond the grave, a longing that the New Testament fully answers through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. His words set the stage for a profound theological question about life beyond death, which the Scriptures progressively reveal, culminating in the triumphant hope of the resurrection found in passages like [1 Corinthians 15](/1_corinthians/15 "1 Corinthians 15 - The Resurrection of the Dead") and [John 5:28-29](/john/5-28-29 "John 5:28-29 - The Resurrection of Life and Condemnation").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job's lament in [Job 14:7](/job/14-7 "Job 14:7 - The Hope of a Tree") finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While Job despairs that "man dies and is laid low; man breathes his last, and where is he?" ([Job 14:10](/job/14-10 "Job 14:10 - Man's Finality")), Christ embodies the very hope Job yearned for but could not see. Jesus, the "tender branch" prophesied in [Isaiah 11:1](/isaiah/11-1 "Isaiah 11:1 - The Branch from Jesse") and the "root of Jesse," was indeed "cut down" through his crucifixion, experiencing the ultimate death. Yet, like the tree that "sprouts again," Christ did not cease to exist. His resurrection on the third day was the triumphant demonstration that death does not have the final word for humanity. As the "firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep" ([1 Corinthians 15:20](/1_corinthians/15-20 "1 Corinthians 15:20 - Christ, the Firstfruits")), Jesus's resurrection guarantees the future resurrection of all who believe in Him. He is the "grain of wheat" that fell into the earth and died, only to produce "much fruit" ([John 12:24](/john/12-24 "John 12:24 - The Grain of Wheat")), bringing eternal life to those who were once subject to the despair of mortality. Through Christ, humanity is no longer excluded from the hope of sprouting again; we are buried with Him in baptism and raised with Him through faith in the power of God ([Romans 6:4](/romans/6-4 "Romans 6:4 - Buried and Raised with Christ"); [Colossians 2:12](/colossians/2-12 "Colossians 2:12 - Raised with Christ")), anticipating a glorious and unending life where the "tender branch" of our resurrected bodies will never cease, but blossom into eternal glory.

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 27:6

He shall cause them that come of Jacob to take root: Israel shall blossom and bud, and fill the face of the world with fruit.

Isaiah 11:1

¶ And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:

Job 14:14

If a man die, shall he live [again]? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come.

Daniel 4:23

And whereas the king saw a watcher and an holy one coming down from heaven, and saying, Hew the tree down, and destroy it; yet leave the stump of the roots thereof in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and [let] his portion [be] with the beasts of the field, till seven times pass over him;

Daniel 4:25

That they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.

Job 19:10

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

Daniel 4:15

Nevertheless leave the stump of his roots in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and [let] his portion [be] with the beasts in the grass of the earth: