Job 14:8

KJV

Though the root thereof wax old in the earth, and the stock thereof die in the ground;

KJV (with Strong's)

Though the root {H8328} thereof wax old {H2204} in the earth {H776}, and the stock {H1503} thereof die {H4191} in the ground {H6083};

Complete Jewish Bible

Even if its roots grow old in the earth and its stump dies in the ground,

Berean Standard Bible

If its roots grow old in the ground and its stump dies in the soil,

American Standard Version

Though the root thereof wax old in the earth, And the stock thereof die in the ground;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 14:8, embedded within Job's profound lament, offers a poignant reflection on the perceived finality of death, utilizing the vivid imagery of a tree. This verse describes the complete decay of a tree's unseen roots and its visible trunk, presenting a picture of utter lifelessness. It serves as a stark baseline against which Job will immediately contrast the potential for renewal in nature with what he views as humanity's irreversible descent into the grave, thereby articulating his deep despair over the brevity and apparent permanence of human mortality.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 14 is a pivotal chapter in Job's third cycle of speeches, following his response to Zophar's harsh accusations. Here, Job shifts his focus from defending his integrity to a deeply introspective and despairing monologue on the nature of human existence. He grapples with the brevity of life, the inevitability of death, and the seemingly irreversible nature of the grave. Verse 8 sets the stage for a critical comparison: the tree's apparent death, described here, is immediately followed by the astonishing possibility of its renewal in [Job 14:9](/job/14-9 "Job 14:9 - The Tree's Hope of Revival"). This contrast underscores Job's central lament: if a tree can sprout again, why is there no such hope for humanity? His argument is a desperate plea for understanding and mercy from God, highlighting his profound sense of abandonment and the perceived injustice of his suffering.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, trees were powerful symbols, often representing life, strength, prosperity, or even lineage. Their observed life cycles—from growth to decay and sometimes renewal—were metaphors for human experience. The concept of death was generally understood as a final, irreversible departure to Sheol, a shadowy underworld, with little widespread belief in individual resurrection as understood in later Abrahamic traditions. Job's lament, therefore, arises from a cultural understanding where death was largely seen as an absolute end, making his questioning of divine justice and his yearning for a mediator all the more profound. His suffering, viewed through the lens of retribution theology prevalent at the time, made his situation particularly perplexing and unjust in his eyes.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the Book of Job. Primarily, it highlights the **Mortality and Fragility of Human Life**, serving as a stark reminder of physical decay and the perceived finality of death. It sets up the profound **Contrast Between Human and Natural Cycles**, where Job observes nature's capacity for renewal (as seen in [Job 14:9](/job/14-9 "Job 14:9 - The Tree's Potential for Renewal")) but laments humanity's apparent lack thereof. This fuels his deep **Despair and Questioning of Divine Justice**, as he struggles to reconcile his suffering and the brevity of life with God's perceived goodness and power. The imagery of the dying tree also subtly introduces the theme of **Hope Beyond Despair**, even if Job himself struggles to grasp it fully at this point, foreshadowing his later declaration of a Redeemer in [Job 19:25-27](/job/19-25 "Job 19:25-27 - Job's Redeemer").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **wax old (Hebrew, _balah'_):** This verb signifies wearing out, decaying, or growing old. It implies a process of gradual deterioration and consumption, suggesting a natural, progressive decline rather than a sudden, violent end. In the context of the tree's root, it emphasizes an internal, unseen process of decay that renders the foundational part of the plant useless and lifeless.
* **root (Hebrew, _shoresh'_):** The root is the hidden, foundational part of a plant, essential for drawing nourishment and providing stability. Its "waxing old" and decaying in the earth signifies a complete and irreversible death from the ground up, affecting the very source of life and vitality. This emphasizes the thoroughness of the tree's demise, impacting its most vital and unseen component.
* **stock (Hebrew, _geza'_):** This term refers to the stump or trunk of a tree, the visible part that remains after the upper growth has withered or been cut down. When the "stock" dies in the ground, it signifies the visible, tangible evidence of the tree's complete cessation of life. Together with the decaying root, it paints a picture of total, undeniable lifelessness, both hidden and apparent.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Though the root thereof wax old in the earth,":** This clause focuses on the unseen, subterranean decay of the tree's most vital part. The "root" (שֹׁרֶשׁ, _shoresh_) is the source of life and stability, and its "waxing old" (בָּלָה, _balah_) describes a process of gradual deterioration and wearing out within the soil. This imagery conveys a profound sense of irreversible internal decay, suggesting that the very foundation of life has been consumed and rendered useless.
* **"and the stock thereof die in the ground;":** This second clause complements the first by describing the visible evidence of the tree's demise. The "stock" (גֶּזַע, _geza'_) refers to the trunk or stump, the part that remains above ground or just at the surface. Its "dying in the ground" (מוּת, _mut_) signifies the complete cessation of life in the visible, tangible part of the tree. Combined with the decaying root, this paints a comprehensive picture of total lifelessness, both hidden and apparent, emphasizing the tree's utter and seemingly final end.

#### Literary Devices
Job 14:8 makes powerful use of **Imagery**, painting a vivid picture of a tree in an advanced state of decay. The "root thereof wax[ing] old in the earth" and the "stock thereof die[ing] in the ground" evokes a clear, tangible sense of complete lifelessness and disintegration. This imagery functions as a profound **Metaphor** or **Analogy** for human mortality. Job uses the tree's apparent finality to reflect on humanity's perceived lack of renewal after death, setting up a stark **Contrast** (or **Antithesis**) with the tree's surprising potential for revival in the very next verse. This deliberate juxtaposition highlights Job's despair and the unique tragedy he sees in the human condition. The verse also employs **Pathos**, evoking a deep sense of sorrow and hopelessness, resonating with Job's personal suffering and his lament over the universal human fate.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 14:8 powerfully articulates the stark reality of human mortality from a naturalistic perspective, a truth that deeply troubled Job in his suffering. It underscores the pervasive theme of decay and the seemingly irreversible nature of death in a fallen world. For Job, the image of the decaying tree, with its root withered and stock dead in the ground, mirrors his own sense of a life utterly consumed by affliction and heading toward an absolute end. This verse confronts us with the sobering truth that physical life, apart from divine intervention, is finite and subject to decay. It implicitly raises profound questions about the meaning of life in the face of death and the ultimate destiny of humanity, pointing to the inherent human longing for something beyond the grave.

* [Psalm 90:10](/psalms/90-10 "Psalm 90:10 - The Brevity of Human Life")
* [Isaiah 40:6-8](/isaiah/40-6 "Isaiah 40:6-8 - The Fading of Human Life")
* [1 Peter 1:24-25](/1_peter/1-24 "1 Peter 1:24-25 - The Fleeting Nature of Flesh")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 14:8, in its raw depiction of decay and death, invites us to confront the uncomfortable reality of our own mortality. In a world often preoccupied with youth and avoiding the topic of death, this verse serves as a sobering reminder of the physical limitations and eventual end that await all flesh. It challenges us to consider not just the brevity of life, but also its fragility and the inevitability of decay. For Job, this realization led to profound despair, yet for us, it can be a catalyst for deeper reflection on what truly endures. It prompts us to evaluate where we place our hope: in fleeting earthly existence, or in something more enduring. While the verse itself speaks of an end, its placement within Job's discourse prepares us to consider the possibility of hope beyond apparent finality, urging us to look beyond what is seen with the physical eye and to consider the spiritual realities that transcend decay.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Job's lament about the "waxing old" root and "dying" stock resonate with your own perceptions or fears about mortality and decay?**
* **In what ways might focusing solely on the physical "death" described in this verse limit our understanding of God's power and plan for life?**
* **What hope, if any, can be drawn from contemplating the natural cycle of death and renewal, even when Job himself struggles to apply it to humanity?**

### FAQ
**Why does Job emphasize the tree's complete death and decay in this verse, especially when the very next verse (Job 14:9) suggests a tree can revive?**

Answer: Job's emphasis in [Job 14:8](/job/14-8 "Job 14:8 - The Tree's Decay") is crucial for setting up the profound contrast he draws in his lament. He meticulously describes the tree's root "waxing old" and its stock "dying in the ground" to paint a picture of absolute, undeniable lifelessness. This vivid imagery establishes the baseline for what appears to be a complete and irreversible end. He then contrasts this with the astonishing possibility of the tree's renewal from the "scent of water" in [Job 14:9](/job/14-9 "Job 14:9 - The Tree's Potential for Revival"). By highlighting the tree's capacity for revival, Job underscores his own despair that humanity, unlike the tree, seems to have no such hope of returning from the grave. He is not denying the tree's potential for renewal but rather using it to amplify his own sense of hopelessness regarding human mortality, making his plea to God all the more poignant and desperate.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Job 14:8 paints a bleak picture of decay and death, lamenting humanity's apparent lack of renewal compared to nature, its ultimate fulfillment is found in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "waxing old" root and "dying" stock of the tree vividly foreshadow the physical death that all humanity, due to sin, must face, and indeed, the death that Christ himself endured. Yet, unlike the tree whose renewal is merely a natural cycle, Christ's death was followed by a supernatural, definitive resurrection, conquering death itself. He is the true [root of Jesse](/isaiah/11-1 "Isaiah 11:1 - The Root of Jesse"), who, though seemingly "cut down" and "dying in the ground" on the cross, was raised to new, eternal life. His resurrection is the ultimate answer to Job's lament, demonstrating that death is not the final word for humanity. Through faith in Christ, believers are united with Him in His death and resurrection, experiencing spiritual life from what was once dead in sin ([Romans 6:4](/romans/6-4 "Romans 6:4 - Buried and Raised with Christ")). He is the [resurrection and the life](/john/11-25 "John 11:25 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life"), offering a hope far beyond the natural cycles of decay and renewal that Job observed, promising eternal life and a future resurrection for those who believe in Him ([1 Corinthians 15:20-22](/1_corinthians/15-20 "1 Corinthians 15:20-22 - Christ as the Firstfruits of Resurrection")).

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

1 Corinthians 15:36

[Thou] fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die:

Isaiah 26:19

Thy dead [men] shall live, [together with] my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew [is as] the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead.

John 12:24

Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.