Job 14:19

The waters wear the stones: thou washest away the things which grow [out] of the dust of the earth; and thou destroyest the hope of man.

The waters {H4325} wear {H7833} the stones {H68}: thou washest away {H7857} the things which grow {H5599} out of the dust {H6083} of the earth {H776}; and thou destroyest {H6} the hope {H8615} of man {H582}.

the water wears away its stones, and the floods wash away its soil, so you destroy a person's hope.

as water wears away the stones and torrents wash away the soil, so You destroy a man’s hope.

The waters wear the stones; The overflowings thereof wash away the dust of the earth: So thou destroyest the hope of man.

Commentary

Job 14:19 is a poignant expression of Job's deep despair, using powerful natural imagery to convey the relentless erosion of life and hope. In this verse, Job laments the apparent fragility of human existence when confronted by forces beyond his control, which he attributes to God's dealings with humanity.

Context

This verse is part of Job's lament in Chapter 14, where he reflects on the brevity and hardship of human life. He contrasts the temporary nature of human beings, who, once fallen, do not rise again in this life, with the resilience of a tree that can sprout anew even after being cut down (see Job 14:7-9). Job feels that God, or the natural order established by God, is actively working against him, systematically dismantling his well-being and future. His words here are not a theological statement about God's character in general, but a cry from the depths of his personal suffering, echoing his earlier cries of distress, such as his initial response to loss in Job 1:21.

Key Themes

  • Relentless Erosion and Destruction: Job uses the imagery of water, seemingly soft, yet capable of wearing down the hardest stone and washing away vegetation. This illustrates a slow, persistent, yet ultimately overwhelming destructive force. It speaks to the gradual decay and eventual end of all earthly things, including human life and aspirations.
  • The Frailty of Human Hope: The climax of the verse, "thou destroyest the hope of man," directly links the natural process of erosion and destruction to the obliteration of human expectation and future. For Job, his suffering has led him to believe that not only his physical life but also his very hope for any positive outcome has been utterly ruined by divine action.
  • Divine Sovereignty (from Job's Perspective): While Job's friends argue about his sin, Job perceives God as the direct agent of his suffering, the one who "washes away" and "destroys." This highlights his profound sense of being targeted and overwhelmed by a powerful, seemingly indifferent, divine will.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew verbs used in this verse convey a powerful sense of active destruction:

  • The phrase "wear the stones" comes from the Hebrew `yish'haku` (ישחקו), meaning to grind, erode, or wear away. It suggests a continuous, relentless process of breaking down.
  • "washest away" is from `tishaṭṭef` (תשטף), which means to overflow, sweep away, or inundate. This implies a sudden, powerful, and overwhelming removal, like a flood.
  • "destroyest the hope of man" uses `tovved` (תאבד), meaning to destroy, perish, or cause to be lost. This final, emphatic word underscores the complete annihilation of hope, making it the devastating culmination of the natural imagery.

Reflection and Application

Job 14:19 powerfully articulates the feeling of helplessness and despair when life's foundations seem to erode. It speaks to moments when circumstances feel overwhelming, and all hope appears lost, a feeling many can relate to during times of deep suffering, illness, or loss. While Job's perspective here is one of profound hopelessness, the broader biblical narrative, particularly the New Testament, offers a counter-narrative of enduring hope.

For believers, even when earthly hopes are shattered, there is an ultimate, unshakeable hope found in God's faithfulness and the promise of resurrection through Jesus Christ (see 1 Peter 1:3). This hope is an anchor for the soul, steadfast and sure, even amidst life's storms (Hebrews 6:19). Job's lament reminds us of the reality of human suffering and the importance of seeking a hope that transcends earthly limitations, a hope that cannot be washed away or destroyed.

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Cross-References

  • Genesis 7:21 (2 votes)

    ¶ And all flesh died that moved upon the earth, both of fowl, and of cattle, and of beast, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth, and every man:

  • Genesis 7:23 (2 votes)

    And every living substance was destroyed which was upon the face of the ground, both man, and cattle, and the creeping things, and the fowl of the heaven; and they were destroyed from the earth: and Noah only remained [alive], and they that [were] with him in the ark.

  • Job 27:8 (2 votes)

    For what [is] the hope of the hypocrite, though he hath gained, when God taketh away his soul?

  • Job 19:10 (2 votes)

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

  • Psalms 30:6 (2 votes)

    ¶ And in my prosperity I said, I shall never be moved.

  • Psalms 30:7 (2 votes)

    LORD, by thy favour thou hast made my mountain to stand strong: thou didst hide thy face, [and] I was troubled.

  • Luke 12:19 (2 votes)

    And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, [and] be merry.