Job 14 2

Job 14:2 kjv

He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not.

Job 14:2 nkjv

He comes forth like a flower and fades away; He flees like a shadow and does not continue.

Job 14:2 niv

They spring up like flowers and wither away; like fleeting shadows, they do not endure.

Job 14:2 esv

He comes out like a flower and withers; he flees like a shadow and continues not.

Job 14:2 nlt

We blossom like a flower and then wither.
Like a passing shadow, we quickly disappear.

Job 14 verses

Job 14 2 Meaning

Job 14:2 speaks to the profound brevity and frailty of human life. It employs vivid metaphors of a delicate flower that quickly blossoms and fades, and a fleeting shadow that vanishes without a trace. The verse conveys humanity's transient nature, highlighting the ephemeral quality of existence and the inevitability of death's finality in Job's lament.

Job 14 2 Context

Job chapter 14 is part of Job's final extended lament and protest against his suffering, particularly addressed to God. Having heard repeated accusations and theological pronouncements from his friends, Job shifts his focus from defending his righteousness to pondering the universal human condition and the nature of God's interaction with humanity. This chapter specifically expresses Job's deep despair over human mortality and the apparent finality of death. He contrasts the renewal cycles in nature (a tree, if cut down, can sprout again, vv. 7-9) with the human being's irreversible journey into Sheol (vv. 10-12). Verse 2, along with verse 1 ("Man who is born of a woman is few of days and full of trouble"), sets the tone for this mournful reflection on life's brevity and suffering, expressing a pessimistic view devoid of an evident hope of resurrection. It articulates the shared human fate of weakness and eventual demise that Job himself faces acutely. Historically, this perspective was common in the Ancient Near East, where definitive and personal afterlife beliefs were often vague or non-existent for the common person, making death a truly frightening and ultimate end.

Job 14 2 Word analysis

• He cometh forth:

  • He (’îsh, Hebrew: אִישׁ): Refers to "man," meaning humanity, any individual person. It highlights the universality of this experience; it applies to all.
  • cometh forth (yātsā’, Hebrew: יָצָא): Implies emergence, coming out, or being born. It marks the beginning of life, the act of appearing in the world. It signifies human inception.

• like a flower, and is cut down:

  • like a flower (kə·ṣîṣ, Hebrew: כְצִיץ): The term tsiyts (ציץ) refers to a blossom or a bloom. It evokes images of beauty, vibrancy, and delicacy. Flowers are inherently beautiful but also highly fragile and have a very short lifespan, symbolizing human ephemeral nature. This is a common biblical metaphor.
  • and is cut down (way·yim·māl, Hebrew: וַיִּמָּל): The Hebrew malal (מָלַל) in the Niphal (passive) form means "to wither," "to fade," "to shrivel." While many English translations render it as "cut down" (implying an external force bringing about an abrupt end), the primary meaning relates to the flower's natural process of dying, withering away. Both interpretations point to the rapid termination of life. It implies cessation, destruction, or the loss of vitality.

• he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not:

  • he fleeth also (way·yiḇ·raḥ, Hebrew: וַיִּבְרַח): To flee or run away. This conveys swiftness and elusiveness. It suggests that life not only ends but rushes away quickly.
  • as a shadow (kat·tsêl, Hebrew: כַּצֵּל): The term tsêl (צֵל) refers to a shadow. A shadow is intangible, fleeting, dependent on light, and vanishes in darkness or when the light shifts. It represents impermanence, unreliability, and insignificance. It underlines the insubstantial and temporal nature of human existence.
  • and continueth not (wə·lō’ ya·‘ă·mōḏ, Hebrew: וְלֹא יַעֲמֹֽד): This phrase directly translates to "and he will not stand" or "will not endure/abide." It signifies a complete lack of permanence or lasting existence. It's a statement of absolute cessation, meaning life does not persist, stand firm, or continue after death. For Job, this meant an irreversible end, a major source of his despair.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "He cometh forth like a flower": This opening segment establishes the origin and delicate initial state of human life, presenting a moment of beautiful blossoming. It signifies birth and the early, vibrant stages of existence, often characterized by perceived vigor and potential.
  • "and is cut down" (or "and withers"): This immediate transition brutally conveys the abrupt and inevitable end. The beautiful bloom is ephemeral, quickly succumbing to an unstated force or inherent weakness. It contrasts the life's beautiful beginning with its swift and tragic demise.
  • "he fleeth also as a shadow": This introduces a second, complementary metaphor for transience, emphasizing the quickness and insubstantiality of life. Like a shadow, life follows a trajectory but possesses no lasting substance, leaving no lasting trace behind.
  • "and continueth not": This conclusive statement underscores the core theme: human existence does not endure. It's a definitive declaration of finality and impermanence, capturing Job's deeply pessimistic view of humanity's inability to overcome the limits of mortality, leaving no room for sustained presence or enduring impact on earth after death.

Job 14 2 Bonus section

The strong emphasis on the "fragility of life" and the "certainty of death" in this verse, and indeed throughout much of the book of Job (and Ecclesiastes), forms a vital theological backdrop against which later biblical revelations, particularly concerning resurrection and eternal life, gain immense significance. Job's lament in 14:2-12 about humanity not rising from the grave sets up his later, albeit fleeting, glimpse of a Redeemer who will stand on the earth (Job 19:25-27) and grant him vindication and new life, even if only in spirit at that point. This tension between despair and nascent hope is central to the biblical narrative regarding death and what lies beyond. The imagery here also speaks to human inability to control life's span, reminding us that life is a gift, not a guarantee. It humbles humanity, stripping away pride in longevity or earthly achievements that are, in the face of death, equally transient.

Job 14 2 Commentary

Job 14:2 is a profound poetic expression of the universal human condition from Job's distressed perspective. It concisely encapsulates the transient, fragile, and seemingly hopeless nature of human life. The dual metaphors of the flower and the shadow are masterfully chosen to highlight two aspects of human impermanence: the flower illustrates inherent frailty and natural decay from a vibrant beginning to a sudden end, while the shadow conveys the insubstantiality and quick disappearance of life. Job's despair here is palpable; he sees no genuine hope for continuation or resurrection beyond the grave. This contrasts sharply with the potential for renewal seen in nature (a cut tree might sprout, Job 14:7-9). Job's statement represents a lament born from a limited understanding of eternity, prevalent in some Old Testament periods prior to fuller revelations of resurrection. It compels listeners to consider life's brevity and mortality, prompting reflection on our purpose and ultimate destiny.Examples: A brilliant young life ending suddenly in tragedy. A famous figure's rise to prominence quickly followed by a fall from grace or a forgotten legacy. A childhood swiftly giving way to adulthood, and old age approaching with alarming speed.