Job 14:7-10 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down If the body of a tree be cut down, and only the stem or stump be left in the ground, yet there is hope; that it will sprout again Hebrew, יחלי Š, jachalip, will yet renew itself, will revive and flourish as the spring comes on. Though the root wax old Begin to wither and decay; and the stock thereof die Namely, in outward appearance; yet, through the scent of water By means of water; scent or smell being here figuratively ascribed to a tree. The moisture of the earth, and the rain of heaven, have sufficient influence upon it to revive it, and cause it to bud; and bring forth boughs like a plant As if it were a tree newly planted. But man dieth and wasteth away Man, though a far nobler creature, is in a much worse condition, as to this world, for when once he loseth his present life he never recovers it. Two words are here used for man, גבר, geber, a mighty man: though mighty, he dies: אדם, adam, a man of earth: being made of earth, he returns to it. He dieth and wasteth away: before death he is dying daily, continually wasting away; in death he gives up the ghost: the spirit leaves the body and returns to God, the Father of spirits, who gave it. After death, where is he? Not where he was; his place knows him no more: his body, all that is visible of him, is rotting away in the grave. But where is the thinking, intelligent principle, the self-conscious being, the proper man? Is this nowhere? Yes, it is somewhere; and it is a very awful consideration to think where they are that have given up the ghost, and where we shall be when we give it up. It is gone into the world of spirits; gone into eternity, gone to return no more to this world.