Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Job 14:8

Though the root thereof wax old in the earth, and the stock thereof die in the ground;

Though the root thereof wax old – Though life becomes almost extinct. The idea is, though the root of the tree be very old, yet it does not become wholly lifeless. It is not like an old man, when life goes out altogether. In the very aged root there will be vitality still; but not so in man.

Though the stock thereof – The stump – literally that which is cut off – gezao. The meaning is, that when the trunk of the tree is cut down and dies altogether, life remains in the root; but when man fails, life is wholly extinct.

Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible

Wax old; begin to wither and decay.

And the stock die, to wit, in outward appearance.

Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole

Though the root thereof wax old in the earth,…. Lies long there, and is become dry, and seems to be consumed, on which account there may be the less hope of its flourishing:

and the stock thereof die in the ground; which may make it still more improbable; for this is not to be understood with some interpreters y of the stock or trunk of the tree cut down, and lying along on the earth, and in the dust of it; though it may be observed, that even such a stock or trunk, separated from the root, and as it lies along, will sprout again, as particularly in elms: but it may rather mean, since it is said to be “in the ground”, that part of the stock or stump left in the ground, from whence the roots part and spread in the earth; and even though this dies, or at least so seems, yet there being still life and vigour in the roots, they send forth suckers.

y So Piscator and Cocceius.

Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

8. Though If. The poet supposes another case: that the tree, instead of being cut down, grows old and dies.

Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Job 14:8 Though the root thereof wax old in the earth, and the stock thereof die in the ground;

Ver. 8. Though the root thereof wax old in the earth ] And so the more unlikely to shoot forth again. Trees also have their old age wherein they decay.

And the stock thereof die in the ground ] Heb. In the dust, as it needs must, when, cut off from the root, it lieth along on the earth. It was by a miracle that Aaron’s rod flourished: not only all the plants of God’s setting, but the very boughs cut off from the body of them, shall flourish and be fruitful.

Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)

die in the ground: Isa 26:19, Joh 12:24, 1Co 15:36

Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge