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Job 8:17 His roots wrap around the rock heap; he looks for a home among the stones.
<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Job 8:17 His roots wrap around the rock heap; he looks for a home among the stones.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/job/8-17.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/17/18_Job_08_17.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Job 8:17 - Bildad: Job Should Repent" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="His roots wrap around the rock heap; he looks for a home among the stones." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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it takes hold on a bed of rocks.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/job/8.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />His roots entwine the stone heap; he looks upon a house of stones.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/job/8.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />His roots wrap around the rock heap; he looks for a home among the stones.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/job/8.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />His roots are wrapped about the heap, <i>and</i> seeth the place of stones.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/job/8.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />His roots wrap around the rock heap, <i>And</i> look for a place in the stones.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/job/8.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“His roots wrap around a rock pile, He grasps a house of stones.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/job/8.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />“His roots wrap around a rock pile, He grasps a house of stones.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/job/8.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“His roots wrap around a rock pile, He grasps a house of stones.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/job/8.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />His roots wrap around a rock pile; He looks upon a house of stones.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/job/8.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“His [godless] roots are wrapped around a pile of rocks, And he gazes at a house of stones.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/job/8.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />His roots are intertwined around a pile of rocks. He looks for a home among the stones.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/job/8.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />His roots are intertwined around a pile of rocks. He looks for a home among the stones. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/job/8.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />His roots are wrapped about the stone -heap, He beholdeth the place of stones.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/job/8.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />They wrap their roots tightly around rocks. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/job/8.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />His roots are wrapped about the heap, he beholdeth the place of stones.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/job/8.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Its roots weave through a pile of stones. They cling to a stone house.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/job/8.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Their roots wrap around the stones and hold fast to every rock. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/job/8.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Its roots weave around a pile of stones, seeking to entrench itself among the rocks.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/job/8.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />His roots wrap around the rock heap; he looks for a home among the stones.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/job/8.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />It wraps its roots around a heap of stones and it looks for a place among stones. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/job/8.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />His roots are wrapped around the rock pile. He sees the place of stones.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/job/8.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />His roots are wrapped about the heap, and seeth the place of stones.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/job/8.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />His roots are wrapped around the rock pile. He sees the place of stones. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/job/8.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />His roots are wrapped by a heap, "" He looks for a house of stones.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/job/8.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> By a heap his roots are wrapped, A house of stones he looketh for.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/job/8.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />His roots were entwined upon a heap, he shall see a house of stones.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/job/8.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />His roots shall be thick upon a heap of stones, and among the stones he shall abide. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/job/8.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />His roots will crowd together over a heap of stones, and among the stones he will remain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/job/8.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />About a heap of stones his roots are entwined; among the rocks he takes hold. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/job/8.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Their roots twine around the stoneheap; they live among the rocks.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/job/8.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />He shall see his house a heap of stones.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/job/8.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And the waves will dash against his foundation, and he will see a house of stone<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/job/8.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />His roots are wrapped about the heap, He beholdeth the place of stones.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/job/8.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />He lies down upon a gathering of stones, and shall live in the mist of flints.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/job/8-17.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XAwuD5NuZq0?start=1250" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/job/8.htm">Bildad: Job Should Repent</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">16</span>He is a well-watered plant in the sunshine, spreading its shoots over the garden. <span class="reftext">17</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/8328.htm" title="8328: šā·rā·šāw (N-mpc:: 3ms) -- A root. From sharash; a root.">His roots</a> <a href="/hebrew/5440.htm" title="5440: yə·sub·bā·ḵū (V-Pual-Imperf-3mp) -- To interweave. A primitive root; to entwine.">wrap</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">around</a> <a href="/hebrew/1530.htm" title="1530: gal (N-ms) -- A heap, wave, billow. From galal; something rolled, i.e. A heap of stone or dung, by analogy, a spring of water.">the rock heap;</a> <a href="/hebrew/2372.htm" title="2372: ye·ḥĕ·zeh (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- See, behold. A primitive root; to gaze at; mentally, to perceive, contemplate; specifically, to have a vision of.">he looks for</a> <a href="/hebrew/1004.htm" title="1004: bêṯ (N-msc) -- A house. Probably from banah abbreviated; a house.">a home among</a> <a href="/hebrew/68.htm" title="68: ’ă·ḇā·nîm (N-fp) -- A stone. From the root of banah through the meaning to build; a stone.">the stones.</a> </span><span class="reftext">18</span>If he is uprooted from his place, it will disown him, saying, ‘I never saw you.’…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/1-3.htm">Psalm 1:3</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/17-8.htm">Jeremiah 17:8</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/13-6.htm">Matthew 13:6</a></span><br />But when the sun rose, the seedlings were scorched, and they withered because they had no root.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/4-6.htm">Mark 4:6</a></span><br />But when the sun rose, the seedlings were scorched, and they withered because they had no root.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/8-6.htm">Luke 8:6</a></span><br />Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the seedlings withered because they had no moisture.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/40-24.htm">Isaiah 40:24</a></span><br />No sooner are they planted, no sooner are they sown, no sooner have their stems taken root in the ground, than He blows on them and they wither, and a whirlwind sweeps them away like stubble.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/17-8.htm">Ezekiel 17:8</a></span><br />It had been planted in good soil by abundant waters in order to yield branches and bear fruit and become a splendid vine.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/9-16.htm">Hosea 9:16</a></span><br />Ephraim is struck down; their root is withered; they cannot bear fruit. Even if they bear children, I will slay the darlings of their wombs.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/15-13.htm">Matthew 15:13</a></span><br />But Jesus replied, “Every plant that My heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by its roots.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/15-6.htm">John 15:6</a></span><br />If anyone does not remain in Me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers. Such branches are gathered up, thrown into the fire, and burned.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/92-12.htm">Psalm 92:12-14</a></span><br />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,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/5-24.htm">Isaiah 5:24</a></span><br />Therefore, as a tongue of fire consumes the straw, and as dry grass shrivels in the flame, so their roots will decay and their blossoms will blow away like dust; for they have rejected the instruction of the LORD of Hosts and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/31-4.htm">Ezekiel 31:4-5</a></span><br />The waters made it grow; the deep springs made it tall, directing their streams all around its base and sending their channels to all the trees of the field. / Therefore it towered higher than all the trees of the field. Its branches multiplied, and its boughs grew long as it spread them out because of the abundant waters.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/19-30.htm">2 Kings 19:30</a></span><br />And the surviving remnant of the house of Judah will again take root below and bear fruit above.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/2-7.htm">Colossians 2:7</a></span><br />rooted and built up in Him, established in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">His roots are wrapped about the heap, and sees the place of stones.</p><p class="hdg">roots</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/18-16.htm">Job 18:16</a></b></br> His roots shall be dried up beneath, and above shall his branch be cut off.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/29-19.htm">Job 29:19</a></b></br> My root <i>was</i> spread out by the waters, and the dew lay all night upon my branch.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/5-24.htm">Isaiah 5:24</a></b></br> Therefore as the fire devoureth the stubble, and the flame consumeth the chaff, <i>so</i> their root shall be as rottenness, and their blossom shall go up as dust: because they have cast away the law of the LORD of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/job/7-8.htm">Beholdeth</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/32-41.htm">Grasps</a> <a href="/ezra/6-11.htm">Heap</a> <a href="/job/8-15.htm">House</a> <a href="/job/7-2.htm">Looks</a> <a href="/ezra/6-11.htm">Pile</a> <a href="/nehemiah/9-15.htm">Rock</a> <a href="/1_kings/19-11.htm">Rocks</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/7-20.htm">Roots</a> <a href="/job/6-12.htm">Stone</a> <a href="/job/6-12.htm">Stones</a> <a href="/numbers/4-12.htm">Wrap</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/15-27.htm">Wrapped</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/job/20-9.htm">Beholdeth</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-16.htm">Grasps</a> <a href="/job/16-4.htm">Heap</a> <a href="/job/17-13.htm">House</a> <a href="/job/28-24.htm">Looks</a> <a href="/job/27-16.htm">Pile</a> <a href="/job/14-18.htm">Rock</a> <a href="/job/18-4.htm">Rocks</a> <a href="/job/13-27.htm">Roots</a> <a href="/job/18-15.htm">Stone</a> <a href="/job/14-19.htm">Stones</a> <a href="/job/14-17.htm">Wrap</a> <a href="/job/38-9.htm">Wrapped</a><div class="vheading2">Job 8</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/8-1.htm">Bildad shows God's justice in dealing with men according to their works.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/8-8.htm">He alleges antiquity to prove the certain destruction of the hypocrite.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">20. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/8-20.htm">He applies God's just dealing to Job.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF2 --> <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/job/8.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/job/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/job/8.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>His roots wrap around the rock heap;</b><br>This phrase suggests a plant that is deeply entrenched and secure, symbolizing stability and resilience. In the context of Job, Bildad is using this imagery to describe the fate of the wicked, implying that their apparent stability is deceptive. The "rock heap" can be seen as a metaphor for the challenges and trials in life. Biblically, roots often symbolize one's foundation or source of strength (<a href="/jeremiah/17-8.htm">Jeremiah 17:8</a>). The imagery of roots wrapping around rocks may also evoke the idea of false security, as rocks can be unstable and unreliable compared to fertile soil. This can be connected to Jesus' parable of the sower, where seeds that fall on rocky ground fail to thrive (<a href="/matthew/13-5.htm">Matthew 13:5-6</a>).<p><b>he looks for a home among the stones.</b><br>This part of the verse continues the metaphor of seeking stability and security. The stones represent a harsh and inhospitable environment, suggesting that the wicked's search for a permanent home or security is ultimately futile. In the ancient Near Eastern context, stones were often used to build altars or memorials, but here they symbolize barrenness and lack of true foundation. This can be contrasted with the imagery of Christ as the cornerstone (<a href="/ephesians/2-20.htm">Ephesians 2:20</a>), where true security and foundation are found in Him. The search for a home among stones can also reflect the human tendency to seek fulfillment in worldly things rather than in God, echoing the futility of building one's life on anything other than the solid rock of faith (<a href="/matthew/7-24.htm">Matthew 7:24-27</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/b/bildad_the_shuhite.htm">Bildad the Shuhite</a></b><br>One of Job's three friends who comes to comfort him. In this chapter, Bildad is speaking, offering his perspective on Job's suffering.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/job.htm">Job</a></b><br>The central figure of the Book of Job, a man who experiences immense suffering and loss, yet remains faithful to God.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/r/rock_heap.htm">Rock Heap</a></b><br>Symbolic imagery used by Bildad to describe the false security of the wicked, suggesting that their foundation is unstable.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/s/stones.htm">Stones</a></b><br>Represents the harsh and unyielding environment where the wicked seek to establish themselves, indicating futility and lack of true support.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_wicked.htm">The Wicked</a></b><br>Though not a specific person, this term refers to those who do not follow God's ways, often contrasted with the righteous in wisdom literature.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_illusion_of_security.htm">The Illusion of Security</a></b><br>Bildad's imagery warns against placing trust in unstable foundations. In our lives, we must discern where we place our trust and ensure it is in God, not in temporary or unreliable sources.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_nature_of_true_stability.htm">The Nature of True Stability</a></b><br>True stability comes from a relationship with God. Like a tree planted by water, our spiritual roots must be deeply embedded in God's truth and promises.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_wickedness.htm">The Consequences of Wickedness</a></b><br>Bildad's speech, though misapplied to Job, highlights a biblical truth: living apart from God's ways leads to instability and eventual downfall.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/discernment_in_counsel.htm">Discernment in Counsel</a></b><br>Bildad's words remind us to seek godly wisdom and discernment when receiving advice, ensuring it aligns with God's character and truth.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/e/endurance_in_trials.htm">Endurance in Trials</a></b><br>Job's account encourages perseverance and faithfulness, even when others misjudge our circumstances or offer misguided counsel.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_job_8.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Job 8</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/source_of_true_wisdom.htm">What is the true source of wisdom and understanding?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_are_all_the_names_in_the_bible.htm">What are all the names in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_are_unicorns_in_the_kjv_bible.htm">Why does the Bible include mythical creatures like unicorns (King James Version)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_psalm_114_8_consistent_with_moses'_rock.htm">Does the miraculous water from rock in Psalm 114:8 align with other biblical accounts of Moses striking a rock, or are there inconsistencies?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/job/8.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(17) <span class= "bld">His roots are wrapped about.</span>--This is the cause of his continual luxuriance, that his roots receive moisture from below, where they are wrapped about the spring which fertilises them underneath; they are planted near to a perennial fountain, and therefore (see <a href="/job/8-6.htm" title="If you were pure and upright; surely now he would awake for you, and make the habitation of your righteousness prosperous.">Job 8:6</a>) "he is green before the sun."<p><span class= "bld">And seeth the place of stones.</span>--Rather, <span class= "ital">the house of stones</span>--<span class= "ital">i.e., </span>the stone house. He seeth the permanent and durable edifice of stone which is the habitation of civilisation and culture, and here his holding is so firm that, even if plucked up, his roots and suckers are so numerous that they leave behind them descendants and offshoots, so that out of his earth others grow; or, more correctly, out of another dust they grow. Even if transplanted, this luxuriant tree will flourish equally well in another soil.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/job/8.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 17.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">His roots are wrapped about the heap, and seeth</span> (rather, <span class="accented">he seeth</span>) <span class="cmt_word">the place</span> (literally, house) <span class="cmt_word">of stones</span>. This passage is very obscure The word <span class="accented">gal</span>, translated heap, means sometimes a spring or stream of water (<a href="/songs/4-12.htm">Song of Solomon 4:12</a>); and many of the best Hebraists regard it as having that meaning here (Buxtorf, Lee, Stanley Leathes, Revised Version). In this case we have to regard the rapidly growing plant as having its roots wrapped about the perennial spring, which was a not uncommon, and always a much-desired, feature of an Eastern garden. Thus nourished, it naturally increased and spread itself, and "was green before the sun." May we suppose that it "saw the house of stones," because the spring which nourished it gushed forth from the native rock so that its roots were in contact with both? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/job/8-17.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">His roots</span><br /><span class="heb">שָֽׁרָשָׁ֣יו</span> <span class="translit">(šā·rā·šāw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8328.htm">Strong's 8328: </a> </span><span class="str2">A root</span><br /><br /><span class="word">wrap</span><br /><span class="heb">יְסֻבָּ֑כוּ</span> <span class="translit">(yə·sub·bā·ḵū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Pual - Imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5440.htm">Strong's 5440: </a> </span><span class="str2">To interweave</span><br /><br /><span class="word">around</span><br /><span class="heb">עַל־</span> <span class="translit">(‘al-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the rock heap;</span><br /><span class="heb">גַּ֭ל</span> <span class="translit">(gal)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1530.htm">Strong's 1530: </a> </span><span class="str2">Something rolled, a heap of stone, dung, a spring of water</span><br /><br /><span class="word">he looks for</span><br /><span class="heb">יֶחֱזֶֽה׃</span> <span class="translit">(ye·ḥĕ·zeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2372.htm">Strong's 2372: </a> </span><span class="str2">To gaze at, to perceive, contemplate, to have a, vision of</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a home among</span><br /><span class="heb">בֵּ֖ית</span> <span class="translit">(bêṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1004.htm">Strong's 1004: </a> </span><span class="str2">A house</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the stones.</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲבָנִ֣ים</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·ḇā·nîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_68.htm">Strong's 68: </a> </span><span class="str2">A stone</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/job/8-17.htm">Job 8:17 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/job/8-17.htm">Job 8:17 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/job/8-17.htm">Job 8:17 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/job/8-17.htm">Job 8:17 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/job/8-17.htm">Job 8:17 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/job/8-17.htm">Job 8:17 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/job/8-17.htm">Job 8:17 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/job/8-17.htm">Job 8:17 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/job/8-17.htm">Job 8:17 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/job/8-17.htm">Job 8:17 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/job/8-17.htm">OT Poetry: Job 8:17 His roots are wrapped around the rock (Jb) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/job/8-16.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Job 8:16"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Job 8:16" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/job/8-18.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Job 8:18"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Job 8:18" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>