Job 14:9
New International Version
yet at the scent of water it will bud and put forth shoots like a plant.

New Living Translation
at the scent of water it will bud and sprout again like a new seedling.

English Standard Version
yet at the scent of water it will bud and put out branches like a young plant.

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

King James Bible
Yet through the scent of water it will bud, and bring forth boughs like a plant.

New King James Version
Yet at the scent of water it will bud And bring forth branches like a plant.

New American Standard Bible
At the scent of water it will flourish And produce sprigs like a plant.

NASB 1995
At the scent of water it will flourish And put forth sprigs like a plant.

NASB 1977
At the scent of water it will flourish And put forth sprigs like a plant.

Legacy Standard Bible
At the scent of water it will flourish And put forth sprigs like a plant.

Amplified Bible
Yet at the scent of water [the stump of the tree] will flourish And bring forth sprigs and shoots like a seedling.

Christian Standard Bible
the scent of water makes it thrive and produce twigs like a sapling.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
the smell of water makes it thrive and produce twigs like a sapling.

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

Contemporary English Version
but at the touch of water, it sprouts once again.

English Revised Version
Yet through the scent of water it will bud, and put forth boughs like a plant.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
merely a scent of water will make it sprout and grow branches like a plant.

Good News Translation
with water it will sprout like a young plant.

International Standard Version
the presence of water will make it to bud so that it sprouts new branches like a young plant.

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

NET Bible
at the scent of water it will flourish and put forth shoots like a new plant.

New Heart English Bible
yet through the scent of water it will bud, and put forth boughs like a plant.

Webster's Bible Translation
Yet through the scent of water it will bud, and bring forth boughs like a plant.

World English Bible
yet through the scent of water it will bud, and sprout boughs like a plant.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
From the fragrance of water it flourishes, "" And has made a crop as a plant.

Young's Literal Translation
From the fragrance of water it doth flourish, And hath made a crop as a plant.

Smith's Literal Translation
From the smell of water it will break forth, and make foliage as a plant.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
At the scent of water, it shall spring, and bring forth leaves, as when it was first planted.

Catholic Public Domain Version
at the scent of water, it will sprout and bring forth leaves, as when it had first been planted.

New American Bible
Yet at the first whiff of water it sprouts and puts forth branches like a young plant.

New Revised Standard Version
yet at the scent of water it will bud and put forth branches like a young plant.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Yet through the scent of water it will bud and bring forth leaves like a plant;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
From the scent of waters it will flourish and it will make leaves as a plant
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Yet through the scent of water it will bud, And put forth boughs like a plant.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
it will blossom from the scent of water, and will produce a crop, as one newly planted.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Job Laments the Finality of Death
8If its roots grow old in the ground and its stump dies in the soil, 9at the scent of water it will bud and put forth twigs like a sapling. 10But a man dies and is laid low; he breathes his last, and where is he?…

Cross References
Isaiah 11:1
Then a shoot will spring up from the stump of Jesse, and a Branch from his roots will bear fruit.

Ezekiel 17:22-24
This is what the Lord GOD says: ‘I will take a shoot from the lofty top of the cedar, and I will set it out. I will pluck a tender sprig from its topmost shoots, and I will plant it on a high and lofty mountain. / I will plant it on the mountain heights of Israel so that it will bear branches; it will yield fruit and become a majestic cedar. Birds of every kind will nest under it, taking shelter in the shade of its branches. / Then all the trees of the field will know that I am the LORD. I bring the tall tree down and make the low tree tall. I dry up the green tree and make the withered tree flourish. I, the LORD, have spoken, and I have done it.’”

Isaiah 53:2
He grew up before Him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no stately form or majesty to attract us, no beauty that we should desire Him.

Hosea 14:5-7
I will be like the dew to Israel; he will blossom like the lily and take root like the cedars of Lebanon. / His shoots will sprout, and his splendor will be like the olive tree, his fragrance like the cedars of Lebanon. / They will return and dwell in his shade; they will grow grain and blossom like the vine. His renown will be like the wine of Lebanon.

Psalm 1:3
He is like a tree planted by streams of water, yielding its fruit in season, whose leaf does not wither, and who prospers in all he does.

Isaiah 35:1-2
The wilderness and the dry land will be glad; the desert will rejoice and blossom like a rose. / It will bloom profusely and rejoice with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon. They will see the glory of the LORD, the splendor of our God.

Ezekiel 37:1-14
The hand of the LORD was upon me, and He brought me out by His Spirit and set me down in the middle of the valley, and it was full of bones. / He led me all around among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, and indeed, they were very dry. / Then He asked me, “Son of man, can these bones come to life?” “O Lord GOD,” I replied, “only You know.” ...

Psalm 92:12-14
The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. / Planted in the house of the LORD, they will flourish in the courts of our God. / In old age they will still bear fruit; healthy and green they will remain,

Isaiah 55:10-13
For just as rain and snow fall from heaven and do not return without watering the earth, making it bud and sprout, and providing seed to sow and food to eat, / so My word that proceeds from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please, and it will prosper where I send it. / You will indeed go out with joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. ...

Jeremiah 17:7-8
But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him. / He is like a tree planted by the waters that sends out its roots toward the stream. It does not fear when the heat comes, and its leaves are always green. It does not worry in a year of drought, nor does it cease to produce fruit.

Matthew 13:31-32
He put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a man took and planted in his field. / Although it is the smallest of all seeds, yet it grows into the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.”

Mark 4:30-32
Then He asked, “To what can we compare the kingdom of God? With what parable shall we present it? / It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds sown upon the earth. / But after it is planted, it grows to be the largest of all garden plants and puts forth great branches, so that the birds of the air nest in its shade.”

Luke 13:18-19
Then Jesus asked, “What is the kingdom of God like? To what can I compare it? / It is like a mustard seed that a man tossed into his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air nested in its branches.”

John 12:24
Truly, truly, I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a seed. But if it dies, it bears much fruit.

Romans 11:17-24
Now if some branches have been broken off, and you, a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others to share in the nourishment of the olive root, / do not boast over those branches. If you do, remember this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you. / You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in.” ...


Treasury of Scripture

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

and bring

Ezekiel 17:3-10,22-24
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 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.

Romans 11:17-24
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; …

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Job 14
1. Job entreats God for favor, by the shortness of life, and certainty of death
7. He waits for his change
16. By sin the creature is subject to corruption














at the scent of water
This phrase evokes the imagery of hope and renewal. In the arid regions of the Near East, water is a precious and life-giving resource. The scent of water symbolizes the potential for life and growth even in seemingly dead or dormant situations. Biblically, water often represents the Holy Spirit (John 7:38-39) and the Word of God (Ephesians 5:26), both of which bring spiritual life and renewal. The idea of water bringing life is also seen in Isaiah 35:6-7, where the desert is transformed into a fertile land. This imagery can be seen as a metaphor for spiritual revival and the hope of resurrection, themes central to the book of Job.

it will bud
The budding of a plant signifies the beginning of new life and growth. In the context of Job, this can be seen as a metaphor for hope and restoration after suffering. The budding process is gradual, indicating that renewal and healing may take time. This aligns with the biblical theme of patience and endurance through trials, as seen in James 1:2-4. The budding also reflects the promise of resurrection and new life, a hope that Job himself expresses in Job 19:25-27, where he speaks of seeing God after his death.

and put forth twigs
The twigs represent further growth and the continuation of life. This imagery suggests not only survival but also thriving and expansion. In the broader biblical narrative, this can be connected to the idea of bearing fruit, as seen in John 15:5, where Jesus speaks of abiding in Him to bear much fruit. The twigs can also symbolize the righteous flourishing, as described in Psalm 92:12-14, where the righteous are compared to a flourishing palm tree and cedar of Lebanon.

like a sapling
A sapling is a young tree, full of potential and promise for the future. This imagery emphasizes renewal and the potential for a new beginning. In the context of Job, it reflects the hope for restoration and the continuation of life beyond present suffering. The sapling can also be seen as a type of Christ, who is referred to as the "Branch" in prophecies such as Isaiah 11:1, symbolizing the coming of the Messiah and the hope of salvation. The sapling's growth is a reminder of God's faithfulness to bring life and hope out of despair.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Job
The central figure in the Book of Job, a man of great faith and patience who undergoes severe trials and suffering. His discourse in chapter 14 reflects on the brevity and suffering of human life.

2. Uz
The land where Job lived, often associated with the region east of Israel. It serves as the backdrop for Job's trials and dialogues.

3. Job's Friends
Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, who visit Job to offer counsel and debate the reasons for his suffering. Their dialogues with Job form much of the book's content.

4. God
The ultimate authority and sovereign being who allows Job's trials and later responds to Job's questions and complaints.

5. Nature Imagery
The use of natural elements like water and plants in Job's discourse to illustrate spiritual truths and human experiences.
Teaching Points
Hope in Renewal
Just as a tree can revive at the scent of water, believers can find hope and renewal through God's presence and promises, even in the midst of suffering.

The Power of God's Word
Like water to a parched plant, God's word has the power to revive and sustain us. Regular engagement with Scripture is essential for spiritual growth and resilience.

Resilience in Trials
Job's reflection on nature teaches us about resilience. In our own trials, we can trust that God can bring new life and growth from our struggles.

Faith in God's Sovereignty
Despite life's uncertainties, we can have faith in God's sovereign control and His ability to bring about restoration and new beginnings.

Symbolism of Water
Water symbolizes life, cleansing, and the Holy Spirit. Recognizing these symbols can deepen our understanding of spiritual truths and God's work in our lives.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
at the scent
מֵרֵ֣יחַ (mê·rê·aḥ)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7381: To smell, perceive odor

of water
מַ֣יִם (ma·yim)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4325: Water, juice, urine, semen

it will bud
יַפְרִ֑חַ (yap̄·ri·aḥ)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6524: To break forth as a, bud, bloom, to spread, to fly, to flourish

and put forth
וְעָשָׂ֖ה (wə·‘ā·śāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

twigs
קָצִ֣יר (qā·ṣîr)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7105: Severed, harvest, the crop, the time, the reaper, a limb

like
כְּמוֹ־ (kə·mōw-)
Preposition
Strong's 3644: Like, as, when

a sapling.
נָֽטַע׃ (nā·ṭa‘)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5194: A plant, a plantation, a planting


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OT Poetry: Job 14:9 Yet through the scent of water it (Jb)
Job 14:8
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