Old Testament
Job 18:14
Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.
His confidence shall be rooted out of his tent, and it shall bring him to the king of terrors.
Compare translations
His confidence shall be rooted out of his tabernacle, and it shall bring him to the king of terrors.
What Job 18:14 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, Job's friend Bildad is describing the fate of the wicked. He suggests that a person's confidence, which may be rooted in their possessions or status, will ultimately be stripped away. The phrase 'king of terrors' refers to death, indicating that when a person faces their end, all their earthly security will fail them. Bildad is emphasizing that those who live in sin will find their false sense of security shattered, leading them to face the ultimate fear—death. This serves as a warning that reliance on worldly things is futile and that true security comes from a relationship with God. The imagery of being uprooted from one's tent or tabernacle symbolizes a complete loss of stability and safety, highlighting the transient nature of life and the inevitability of facing judgment. Thus, the verse serves as a reminder of the consequences of a life lived apart from God, where confidence in anything other than Him is ultimately misplaced.
How to apply Job 18:14 to your life
This verse encourages us to examine where we place our confidence. Are we relying on temporary things, or are we grounded in our faith in God? True security comes from trusting in Him, especially in times of uncertainty and fear.
Curated for this public verse page. Job Summary
Explore more of the Bible
Learn the Bible through its people and places
Get to know the people in Scripture through illustrated stories, and explore the places where they lived and traveled.
Illustrated scene from Noah's story: Noah Is Born (Genesis 5:28–32)
Meet the people of the Bible
Follow their lives in order, with illustrated scenes and Bible passages that tell their stories.
Noah
Photo: Photochrom print, Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division (LCCN 2002725043). License: Public domain in the United States; Library of Congress states no known restrictions on publication. Source. Location: Nablus and Mount Gerizim, West Bank; print preserved by the Library of Congress. Resized for the web.
Explore the places of the Bible
See where biblical events happened, why each place matters, and what archaeology helps us understand.
Shechem
Where God promised the land to Abram, and where Joshua led Israel to renew the covenant.
Get full access with one subscription
Explore the people and places of the Bible. Read summaries of every book, with images and clear explanations covering every chapter. Access all these features and our Bible study tools with one subscription.
See PlansAsk AI about Job 18:14
Ask a question about this verse and get a clear answer, with Bible references you can read for yourself.
Every Bible book, explained chapter by chapter
Explore summaries of every book of the Bible, with images and easy-to-understand explanations covering every chapter.
Keep studying Job 18:14
Related Bible verses
Key themes
Related topics
At a Glance — the Book of Job
- Author
- Author unknown; events likely in the patriarchal era
- Written
- Date debated
- Genre
- Wisdom literature
- Original Audience
- All who suffer or question God
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Job 18:14 mean?
Job 18:14 describes the fate of the wicked, stating that their confidence will be stripped away, leading them to face death, referred to as the 'king of terrors.' It emphasizes that reliance on worldly possessions is futile and that true security comes from a relationship with God.
What is the meaning of 'king of terrors' in Job 18:14?
The 'king of terrors' in Job 18:14 symbolizes death, highlighting the ultimate fear that everyone must face. It suggests that when a person's earthly security fails, they are confronted with the reality of their mortality.
How does Job 18:14 relate to confidence?
Job 18:14 indicates that the confidence of the wicked is temporary and can be uprooted, leading to a realization that true security cannot be found in material possessions or status.
What themes are present in Job 18:14?
The themes in Job 18:14 include the loss of confidence, the consequences of sin, the inevitability of death, judgment, and the transient nature of life.
Daily Verse — straight to your inbox
A verse and a 2-sentence plain-English explanation, every morning. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.