Job 8:14

Whose hope shall be cut off, and whose trust [shall be] a spider's web.

Whose hope {H3689} shall be cut off {H6990}, and whose trust {H4009} shall be a spider's {H5908} web {H1004}.

his confidence is mere gossamer, his trust a spider's web.

His confidence is fragile; his security is in a spider’s web.

Whose confidence shall break in sunder, And whose trust is a spider’s web.

Commentary

Job 8:14 KJV delivers a poignant proverb from Bildad the Shuhite, one of Job's three friends, concerning the fate of those who "forget God" (as stated in the preceding verse, Job 8:13). This verse uses vivid imagery to convey the fragility and ultimate futility of hope and trust that are not rooted in a true relationship with the divine.

Context

This verse is part of Bildad's first speech, where he attempts to persuade Job that his immense suffering is a direct consequence of his sin. Bildad operates under a rigid theological framework: God always punishes the wicked and blesses the righteous. In this section, he describes the transient nature of the wicked person's prosperity and security. By stating that "whose hope shall be cut off," he implies a sudden and complete end to their expectations, and likening their "trust" to a "spider's web" vividly illustrates the utter lack of substance and protective power in their reliance.

Key Themes

  • Fragility of False Hope: The verse powerfully conveys that any hope not grounded in God's eternal truth and faithfulness is inherently unstable and destined for ruin. It highlights the dangers of placing one's future security in fleeting worldly achievements or personal strength.
  • Futility of Misplaced Trust: The imagery of the "spider's web" emphasizes that relying on anything other than God provides no real defense or lasting security. Such trust, though perhaps intricately woven, is easily broken and offers no true refuge from life's storms. This contrasts sharply with the wisdom of trusting in the Lord with all your heart.
  • Divine Justice (from Bildad's Viewpoint): From Bildad's perspective, this verse serves as a warning about the inevitable consequences of ungodliness, where God's judgment will ultimately expose and dismantle the superficial foundations of the wicked. While Job's story ultimately challenges this simplistic view of suffering, the image of false trust remains a timeless truth.

Linguistic Insights

  • The phrase "cut off" translates from the Hebrew verb yaqut (יָקוּט), which denotes a sudden, violent, or decisive termination. It implies a complete severance, leaving no remaining hope or prospect.
  • "Spider's web" comes from the Hebrew bêt 'akkabish (בֵּית עַכָּבִישׁ), literally meaning "house of a spider." This specific imagery evokes something intricate and perhaps beautiful to the eye, but fundamentally insubstantial and easily destroyed. It's a structure built for trapping, not for protection or stability, perfectly symbolizing a false sense of security.

Practical Application

Job 8:14 serves as a timeless reminder for believers today to examine the foundations of their hope and trust. Are we building our lives on solid ground, or on something as flimsy as a spider's web? This verse encourages us to place our confidence not in wealth, status, human wisdom, or fleeting successes, but in the unchanging character and promises of God. Just as a house built on sand cannot withstand the storms, so too will a life built on false hopes eventually collapse. True security and lasting hope are found only in Him who is our rock and our fortress.

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Cross-References

  • Isaiah 59:5

    They hatch cockatrice' eggs, and weave the spider's web: he that eateth of their eggs dieth, and that which is crushed breaketh out into a viper.

  • Isaiah 59:6

    Their webs shall not become garments, neither shall they cover themselves with their works: their works [are] works of iniquity, and the act of violence [is] in their hands.