Job 14:9

KJV

[Yet] through the scent of water it will bud, and bring forth boughs like a plant.

KJV (with Strong's)

Yet through the scent {H7381} of water {H4325} it will bud {H6524}, and bring forth {H6213} boughs {H7105} like a plant {H5194}.

Complete Jewish Bible

yet at the scent of water it will bud and put forth branches like a young plant.

Berean Standard Bible

at the scent of water it will bud and put forth twigs like a sapling.

American Standard Version

Yet through the scent of water it will bud, And put forth boughs like a plant.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 14:9 captures Job's profound observation of nature's remarkable resilience, specifically how a seemingly dead tree stump can revive and flourish with the mere presence of moisture, sprouting new growth as if freshly planted. This vivid natural image serves as a poignant contrast to Job's despairing view of human mortality, which he believes lacks any such earthly prospect of renewal after death, thereby underscoring his deep lament over the brevity and apparent finality of human existence in the midst of his overwhelming suffering.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 14:9 is situated within Job's extended lament on the brevity and fragility of human life, a soliloquy that spans [Job 14:1-22](/job/14 "Job 14 - Job's Lament on Human Frailty"). The verses immediately preceding, [Job 14:7-8](/job/14-7-8 "Job 14:7-8 - The Hope of a Tree"), introduce the analogy of the tree, illustrating how even a decaying root or a seemingly lifeless stump retains the inherent potential for new growth upon encountering water. Job 14:9 then serves as the climatic articulation of this regenerative power, vividly portraying the tree's surprising capacity for renewal. This powerful natural image is deliberately set in stark rhetorical contrast to Job's subsequent despairing pronouncements on human mortality in [Job 14:10-12](/job/14-10-12 "Job 14:10-12 - Man's Irreversible Fate"), where he laments that "man lieth down, and riseth not." Thus, this verse functions as the high point of the tree analogy, intensifying the impact of the following comparison with the seemingly irreversible fate of humanity.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the arid and semi-arid landscapes of the Ancient Near East, water was not merely a commodity but a profound symbol of life, sustenance, and divine blessing. The natural phenomenon of certain tree species, such as the olive or willow, regenerating from a cut stump or even a deep root system after periods of drought or felling was a commonly observed and understood reality. This cyclical pattern of apparent death followed by surprising rebirth in the natural world would have been a familiar sight to Job and his contemporaries. Job's utilization of this imagery reflects a deep, experiential understanding of his natural environment, where the presence of water literally determined the difference between life and death for vegetation. His lament also resonates with the prevalent ancient understanding of death as a permanent departure from the earthly realm, a perspective that largely predates the fuller, more explicit revelation of resurrection hope found in later biblical texts and especially in the New Testament.
* **Key Themes:** This verse significantly contributes to several profound themes within the book of Job and broader biblical theology. It powerfully illustrates the **resilience of creation** and the inherent life force that God has intricately woven into the natural world, even in conditions of apparent dormancy or demise. It also highlights the theme of **hope in small beginnings**, as the "scent of water" symbolizes that even a minimal, almost imperceptible stimulus can trigger profound and surprising renewal. Most critically, within the immediate context of Job's argument, it functions as a stark **contrast to human mortality**, underscoring Job's deep despair and his belief that humans, unlike trees, possess no earthly prospect of revival after death, a theme he reiterates with poignant emphasis in [Job 14:10-12](/job/14-10-12 "Job 14:10-12 - Man's Irreversible Fate"). This powerful contrast implicitly raises fundamental questions about divine justice, the nature of suffering, and the ultimate destiny of humanity, all of which are central to Job's agonizing struggle throughout the entire book.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Scent (Hebrew, _rêyach'_):** From the root meaning "to blow," this word refers to an "odor" or "smell." In this context, "scent of water" signifies the merest hint or subtle presence of moisture, rather than a strong aroma. It emphasizes that an almost imperceptible amount of water is sufficient to awaken the dormant life within the tree, highlighting the profound, intrinsic vitality and regenerative capacity of the plant that requires only a minimal trigger.
* **Bud (Hebrew, _pârach'_):** This primitive root means "to break forth as a bud," "to bloom," or "to sprout." It signifies the initial emergence of new life from a state of dormancy or apparent death. The verb implies the tender, nascent signs of growth, indicating that the life force within the stump is reactivated and beginning to manifest outwardly, moving from inertness to vibrant potential.
* **Boughs (Hebrew, _qâtsîyr'_):** While primarily meaning "harvest" or "reaping," in this specific context, _qâtsîyr_ refers to new branches, shoots, or vigorous foliage. The phrase "bring forth boughs like a plant" indicates a complete and robust renewal, suggesting that the regenerated tree will not merely produce a few weak shoots but will return to a state of vibrant, healthy, and abundant growth, as if it were a newly planted, thriving sapling.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"[Yet] through the scent of water":** This opening clause establishes the surprising condition for renewal. The implied "yet" (often added for clarity in translation) emphasizes the unexpected nature of this resilience. The "scent of water" vividly portrays the minimal requirement for life to re-emerge, suggesting not an abundance, but a mere suggestion or subtle presence of moisture that triggers the dormant life force. This highlights the profound, intrinsic vitality within the tree, requiring only a slight external impetus.
* **"it will bud":** This signifies the immediate and certain outcome once the minimal condition is met. The seemingly dead or cut-down stump will unequivocally show signs of life. New shoots, leaves, or blossoms will begin to appear, demonstrating that the life within was not truly extinguished but merely dormant, patiently awaiting the precise stimulus to reactivate.
* **"and bring forth boughs like a plant":** This concluding phrase describes the extent and quality of the renewal. The new growth will not be meager or weak but will be robust, comprehensive, and vigorous, resembling a healthy, young, and thriving plant. It implies a full restoration to vitality and fruitfulness, completing the powerful picture of remarkable regeneration from a state of apparent demise, underscoring nature's inherent capacity for renewal.

#### Literary Devices
Job 14:9 is rich in **Imagery**, painting a vivid and sensory picture of a tree stump responding to the slightest hint of water. The phrase "scent of water" is a particularly powerful sensory image, suggesting a subtle, almost imperceptible stimulus that nonetheless triggers profound and visible change. The verse employs a profound **Analogy** or **Simile**, where the remarkable resilience and regenerative capacity of a tree are compared to the perceived lack of such a capacity in human life. This comparison is central to Job's lament, highlighting the stark **Contrast** he draws between the cyclical nature of life and death in the natural world and what he believes to be the irreversible finality of human mortality. The entire passage, within Job's broader discourse, is an example of **Rhetorical Questioning** (though not explicitly in this verse, it underpins Job's argument in the chapter), as Job uses the undeniable truth of nature's renewal to underscore his own desperate situation and question divine providence regarding human destiny.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse, while framed within Job's limited perspective and profound suffering, inadvertently points to profound theological truths about God's sustaining power in creation and the miraculous nature of life itself. The tree's astonishing capacity for renewal, even from a "scent of water," speaks to the inherent vitality and resilience woven into the very fabric of creation by the Creator. It subtly foreshadows the broader biblical theme of God's sovereign ability to bring life out of death, hope out of despair, and renewal from seemingly impossible situations. While Job laments the absence of such a cycle for humanity in his immediate context, the very imagery he employs hints at a divine power that transcends earthly limitations—a power ultimately capable of resurrection and new life. This natural phenomenon, therefore, serves as a powerful testament to the Creator's intricate design and ongoing providential care, even as Job struggles to reconcile it with his personal suffering and his understanding of human destiny.

* [Psalm 1:3](/psalms/1-3 "Psalm 1:3 - The Righteous Like a Tree by Water")
* [Isaiah 11:1](/isaiah/11-1 "Isaiah 11:1 - A Shoot from the Stump of Jesse")
* [Ezekiel 37:12-14](/ezekiel/37-12-14 "Ezekiel 37:12-14 - The Resurrection of Dry Bones")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 14:9, despite its original context of Job's profound despair, offers a deeply resonant spiritual metaphor for believers today. Just as a seemingly dead tree stump can burst forth with new life and robust growth from a mere "scent of water," so too can spiritual life be rekindled, renewed, and flourish even in the most desolate, dormant, or seemingly hopeless seasons of our lives. This "scent of water" can be profoundly likened to the life-giving power of God's Word, the refreshing and empowering presence of the Holy Spirit, or even a small, courageous act of faith or obedience that opens us to divine grace. It serves as a powerful reminder that God is eternally capable of bringing forth life and renewal from situations we deem utterly hopeless, demonstrating His sovereign power to resurrect dead dreams, restore broken relationships, and revive weary, parched souls. Our hope, unlike Job's limited earthly view, is firmly rooted in the ultimate promise of resurrection and new life in Christ, enabling us to trust that even in our "stump" moments, God can bring forth abundant "boughs like a plant."

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you currently feel like a "cut-down stump," seemingly devoid of life, hope, or purpose?**
* **What "scent of water"—whether it's God's Word, prayer, faithful community, or a step of obedience—is God inviting you to receive for profound spiritual renewal?**
* **How does the natural resilience depicted in this verse encourage you to trust in God's power to bring life from seemingly dead or impossible situations in your personal and spiritual journey?**

### FAQ
**What is the primary message Job is trying to convey with the analogy of the tree in Job 14:9?**

Answer: Job's primary message in [Job 14:9](/job/14-9 "Job 14:9 - The Resilient Tree") is one of profound despair regarding human mortality, which he contrasts sharply with the regenerative power he observes in nature. He uses the tree's astonishing ability to revive from a mere "scent of water" to highlight what he perceives as humanity's irreversible and final fate after death. For Job, the tree's hope for earthly renewal only serves to underscore his own lack of such hope, emphasizing the perceived finality of human life in his suffering and his limited understanding of the afterlife. He is lamenting that while nature possesses a visible cycle of death and rebirth, humanity does not, at least not in the same tangible, earthly sense that he can observe.

**Why does Job emphasize "the scent of water" rather than a flood or abundance?**

Answer: The emphasis on "the scent of water" is crucial because it highlights the incredible, inherent life force within the tree that requires only the slightest, most subtle stimulus to reactivate. It's not about overwhelming resources or a deluge, but about a minimal, almost imperceptible trigger that unleashes powerful regeneration. This specific detail makes the tree's resilience even more remarkable and, by stark contrast, makes Job's perceived human fragility and lack of earthly renewal even more poignant. It suggests that nature's capacity for renewal is deeply embedded and easily awakened, a quality Job desperately wishes humanity possessed in its earthly existence.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Job, in his profound suffering and limited revelation, could only lament the stark contrast between nature's resilience and human mortality, this verse finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. The "scent of water" that brings life to a seemingly dead stump powerfully foreshadows Christ as the true and ultimate source of living water, who offers eternal life and spiritual renewal to all who believe. Just as the tree's life is miraculously rekindled by water, our spiritual life, which was dead in sin, is made alive by the [Spirit of God](/john/6-63 "John 6:63 - The Spirit Gives Life") through Christ's transformative power. Jesus Himself declared, "[If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink!](/john/7-37 "John 7:37 - Jesus' Invitation to Drink Living Water")" and promised that those who believe in Him would have "[rivers of living water flow from within them](/john/7-38 "John 7:38 - Rivers of Living Water")". The tree's miraculous ability to "bud, and bring forth boughs like a plant" from a seemingly dead state points directly to the glorious resurrection of Jesus Christ, which conquered death and provides the ultimate, unwavering hope for humanity. Through Christ's resurrection, what Job believed was an irreversible human fate—"[man lieth down, and riseth not](/job/14-12 "Job 14:12 - Man's Irreversible Fate")"—is gloriously overturned and forever redefined. Believers are not merely given a second chance at earthly life, but are promised a [newness of life](/romans/6-4 "Romans 6:4 - Newness of Life in Christ") now and a future bodily resurrection, triumphing definitively over the grave, as articulated with profound theological depth in [1 Corinthians 15](/1_corinthians/15 "1 Corinthians 15 - The Resurrection of the Dead"). Thus, the hope that Job observed in nature, but despaired of for humanity, is fully and eternally realized in the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God") and offers abundant, everlasting life to all who come to Him.

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

Romans 11:17

And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;

Romans 11:24

For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural [branches], be graffed into their own olive tree?

Ezekiel 17:3

And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; A great eagle with great wings, longwinged, full of feathers, which had divers colours, came unto Lebanon, and took the highest branch of the cedar:

Ezekiel 17:10

Yea, behold, [being] planted, shall it prosper? shall it not utterly wither, when the east wind toucheth it? it shall wither in the furrows where it grew.

Ezekiel 17:22

¶ Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will also take of the highest branch of the high cedar, and will set [it]; I will crop off from the top of his young twigs a tender one, and will plant [it] upon an high mountain and eminent:

Ezekiel 17:24

And all the trees of the field shall know that I the LORD have brought down the high tree, have exalted the low tree, have dried up the green tree, and have made the dry tree to flourish: I the LORD have spoken and have done [it].

Ezekiel 19:10

¶ Thy mother [is] like a vine in thy blood, planted by the waters: she was fruitful and full of branches by reason of many waters.