Job 14:10
New International Version
But a man dies and is laid low; he breathes his last and is no more.

New Living Translation
“But when people die, their strength is gone. They breathe their last, and then where are they?

English Standard Version
But a man dies and is laid low; man breathes his last, and where is he?

Berean Standard Bible
But a man dies and is laid low; he breathes his last, and where is he?

King James Bible
But man dieth, and wasteth away: yea, man giveth up the ghost, and where is he?

New King James Version
But man dies and is laid away; Indeed he breathes his last And where is he?

New American Standard Bible
“But a man dies and lies prostrate. A person passes away, and where is he?

NASB 1995
“But man dies and lies prostrate. Man expires, and where is he?

NASB 1977
“But man dies and lies prostrate. Man expires, and where is he?

Legacy Standard Bible
But man dies and lies prostrate. Man breathes his last, and where is he?

Amplified Bible
“But [the brave, strong] man must die and lie face down; Man breathes his last, and where is he?

Christian Standard Bible
But a person dies and fades away; he breathes his last—where is he?

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But a man dies and fades away; he breathes his last—where is he?

American Standard Version
But man dieth, and is laid low: Yea, man giveth up the ghost, and where is he?

Contemporary English Version
Humans are different--we die, and that's the end.

English Revised Version
But man dieth, and wasteth away: yea, man giveth up the ghost, and where is he?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
But a human dies and is powerless. A person breathes his last breath, and where is he?

Good News Translation
But we die, and that is the end of us; we die, and where are we then?

International Standard Version
"But when a person dies and wastes away, when a person breathes his last, where will he be?

Majority Standard Bible
But a man dies and is laid low; he breathes his last, and where is he?

NET Bible
But man dies and is powerless; he expires--and where is he?

New Heart English Bible
But man dies, and is laid low. Yes, man gives up the spirit, and where is he?

Webster's Bible Translation
But man dieth, and wasteth away: yes, man yieldeth his breath, and where is he?

World English Bible
But man dies, and is laid low. Yes, man gives up the spirit, and where is he?
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And a man dies, and becomes weak, "" And man expires, and where [is] he?

Young's Literal Translation
And a man dieth, and becometh weak, And man expireth, and where is he?

Smith's Literal Translation
And man will die and be weak: and man will expire, and where is he?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But man when he shall be dead, and stripped and consumed, I pray you where is he?

Catholic Public Domain Version
Truly, when a man dies, and has been left unprotected, and has decayed, I ask you where is he?

New American Bible
But when a man dies, all vigor leaves him; when a mortal expires, where then is he?

New Revised Standard Version
But mortals die, and are laid low; humans expire, and where are they?
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But man dies, and fades away; yea, man perishes, and he is no more.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And a man dies and wastes away and a son of man is finished and he is not
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
But man dieth, and lieth low; Yea, man perisheth, and where is he?

Brenton Septuagint Translation
But a man that has died is utterly gone; and when a mortal has fallen, he is no more.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Job Laments the Finality of Death
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? 11As water disappears from the sea and a river becomes parched and dry,…

Cross References
Ecclesiastes 3:19-20
For the fates of both men and beasts are the same: As one dies, so dies the other—they all have the same breath. Man has no advantage over the animals, since everything is futile. / All go to one place; all come from dust, and all return to dust.

Psalm 146:4
When his spirit departs, he returns to the ground; on that very day his plans perish.

Ecclesiastes 12:7
before the dust returns to the ground from which it came and the spirit returns to God who gave it.

Psalm 104:29
When You hide Your face, they are terrified; when You take away their breath, they die and return to dust.

1 Corinthians 15:21-22
For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. / For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.

Hebrews 9:27
Just as man is appointed to die once, and after that to face judgment,

James 4:14
You do not even know what will happen tomorrow! What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-14
Brothers, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who are without hope. / For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, we also believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him.

2 Corinthians 5:1
For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is dismantled, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.

Genesis 3:19
By the sweat of your brow you will eat your bread, until you return to the ground—because out of it were you taken. For dust you are, and to dust you shall return.”

Romans 5:12
Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, so also death was passed on to all men, because all sinned.

Isaiah 40:6-8
A voice says, “Cry out!” And I asked, “What should I cry out?” “All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flowers of the field. / The grass withers and the flowers fall when the breath of the LORD blows on them; indeed, the people are grass. / The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.”

1 Peter 1:24
For, “All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall,

John 11:25-26
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me will live, even though he dies. / And everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?”

1 Corinthians 15:42-44
So will it be with the resurrection of the dead: What is sown is perishable; it is raised imperishable. / It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. / It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.


Treasury of Scripture

But man dies, and wastes away: yes, man gives up the ghost, and where is he?

wasteth away.

Job 3:11
Why died I not from the womb? why did I not give up the ghost when I came out of the belly?

Job 10:18
Wherefore then hast thou brought me forth out of the womb? Oh that I had given up the ghost, and no eye had seen me!

Job 11:20
But the eyes of the wicked shall fail, and they shall not escape, and their hope shall be as the giving up of the ghost.

where is he

Job 14:12
So man lieth down, and riseth not: till the heavens be no more, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep.

Job 7:7-10
O remember that my life is wind: mine eye shall no more see good…

Job 19:26
And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:

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Breath Breathes Death Dies Dieth Expireth Ghost Gives Laid Lies Perisheth Prostrate Spirit Wasteth Weak Yieldeth
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














But a man dies and is laid low;
This phrase reflects the universal reality of human mortality. In the context of the Book of Job, Job is lamenting the brevity and frailty of human life. The phrase "laid low" suggests not only physical death but also the humbling of human pride and strength. This echoes Genesis 3:19, where God tells Adam, "For dust you are, and to dust you shall return," highlighting the consequence of sin and the fall. The cultural context of the ancient Near East often viewed death as a return to the earth, a humbling end for all, regardless of status or wealth.

he breathes his last,
The act of breathing one's last breath signifies the end of life, a moment that is both personal and profound. In biblical terms, breath is often associated with the spirit or life force given by God, as seen in Genesis 2:7, where God breathes life into Adam. The cessation of breath marks the departure of the spirit, a concept that resonates with Ecclesiastes 12:7, "and the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it." This reflects the belief in the temporary nature of earthly life and the eternal aspect of the spirit.

and where is he?
This rhetorical question underscores the mystery and uncertainty surrounding the afterlife in the Old Testament context. Job's question reflects a deep existential inquiry about the fate of the soul after death. While the Old Testament provides limited insight into the afterlife, later scriptures, such as Daniel 12:2 and the New Testament, offer more clarity on resurrection and eternal life. This question also foreshadows the hope of resurrection found in Christ, as seen in John 11:25, where Jesus declares, "I am the resurrection and the life." The inquiry "where is he?" invites reflection on the eternal destiny of the soul and the hope of redemption through Jesus Christ.

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. He is known for his unwavering faith in God despite his circumstances.

2. Uz
The land where Job lived. It is often associated with the region east of Israel, possibly in Edom or northern Arabia.

3. Job's Friends
Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, who visit Job to offer counsel and comfort but often end up accusing him of wrongdoing.

4. God
The ultimate authority and sovereign being who allows Job's trials to test his faith and integrity.

5. Death
A central theme in this verse, representing the inevitable end of human life and the mystery of what follows.
Teaching Points
The Reality of Mortality
Job 14:10 confronts us with the reality of death, a universal experience that prompts reflection on the meaning and purpose of life.

The Mystery of Life After Death
The question "where is he?" highlights the uncertainty and mystery surrounding what happens after death, encouraging believers to seek answers in Scripture.

Faith in the Face of Uncertainty
Job's struggle with understanding death challenges us to maintain faith and trust in God's sovereignty, even when answers are not clear.

The Hope of Resurrection
While Job expresses despair, Christians can find hope in the promise of resurrection and eternal life through Jesus Christ.

Living with Eternal Perspective
This verse encourages believers to live with an eternal perspective, valuing spiritual growth and relationships over temporal concerns.Verse 10. - But man dieth. "Man" is here גבר, "the brave, strong man," not אדם or אנושׁ, and the meaning is that man, however brave and' strong, perishes. And wasteth away; i.e. "comes to nought, remains no strength or vitality." Yea, man giveth up the ghost, and where is he? "Where is he?" Job could not answer this question. He might say, "In Sheol." But where was Sheol, and what was Sheol? There was no written revelation on this subject, and no traditional knowledge on which dependence could be placed. The Hebrew notions on the subject were very vague and indeterminate; Job's notions are likely to have been still vaguer. There is no reason to believe that he had any exact acquaintance with the tenets of the Egyptians. He may have known the Chaldean teaching, but it would not have carried him very far(see above, pp. 178, 179). Doubt and perplexity beset him whenever he turned his attention to the problem of man's condition after death, and, excepting when carried away by a burst of enthusiasm, he seems to have regarded it as the highest wisdom, in matters of this kind, "to knew that he knew nothing." The question, "Where is he?" is an acknowledgment of this profound ignorance.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
But a man
וְגֶ֣בֶר (wə·ḡe·ḇer)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1397: A valiant man, warrior, a person simply

dies
יָ֭מוּת (yā·mūṯ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4191: To die, to kill

and is laid low;
וַֽיֶּחֱלָ֑שׁ (way·ye·ḥĕ·lāš)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2522: To prostrate, to overthrow, decay

he
אָדָ֣ם (’ā·ḏām)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 120: Ruddy, a human being

breathes his last,
וַיִּגְוַ֖ע (way·yiḡ·wa‘)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1478: To breathe out, expire

and where [is] he?
וְאַיּֽוֹ׃ (wə·’ay·yōw)
Conjunctive waw | Interrogative | third person masculine singular
Strong's 346: Where?


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OT Poetry: Job 14:10 But man dies and is laid low (Jb)
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