Old Testament
Job 8:14
Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.
whose hope shall be cut off, and whose trust shall be a spider's web.
Compare translations
Whose hope shall be cut off, and whose trust shall be a spider’s web.
What Job 8:14 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In Job 8:14, the speaker, Bildad, is emphasizing the fragility of the hope and trust of those who are not righteous. He compares their hope to a spider's web, which is delicate and easily destroyed. This metaphor suggests that relying on anything other than God for security and assurance is ultimately futile. Just as a spider's web can be torn apart with a simple touch, so too can the hopes of the wicked be shattered. Bildad is arguing that true stability and hope come from a right relationship with God, and without that, one’s trust is as unreliable as a web spun by a spider. This verse serves as a warning about the consequences of misplaced trust and the importance of grounding one’s hope in something solid and enduring, namely faith in God.
How to apply Job 8:14 to your life
This verse encourages us to examine where we place our hope and trust. Are we relying on temporary things that can easily fail, like wealth or relationships? Instead, we should focus on building our faith in God, who provides a firm foundation that will not be easily shaken.
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 Moses's story: Israel Enslaved in Egypt (Exodus 1:8–22)
Meet the people of the Bible
Follow their lives in order, with illustrated scenes and Bible passages that tell their stories.
Moses
Photo: Diego Delso, via Wikimedia Commons. License: CC BY-SA 3.0. Source. Location: Tell es-Sultan, Jericho, West Bank. 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.
Jericho
The city of palm trees, whose walls fell in Joshua's day.
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 8:14
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 8:14
Related Bible verses
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 8:14 mean?
Job 8:14 highlights the fragility of hope and trust for those who are not righteous, comparing it to a spider's web that is easily destroyed. It suggests that relying on anything other than God for security is ultimately futile.
What is the metaphor in Job 8:14?
In Job 8:14, the metaphor of a spider's web illustrates how delicate and unreliable the hopes of the wicked are. Just as a spider's web can be easily torn apart, so too can the trust of those who do not have a right relationship with God.
How does Job 8:14 relate to trust?
Job 8:14 relates to trust by emphasizing that those who do not live righteously have a trust that is as unreliable as a spider's web. It serves as a reminder to place trust in something enduring, like faith in God.
What themes are present in Job 8:14?
The themes present in Job 8:14 include hope, trust, righteousness, futility, and divine justice. The verse underscores the importance of having a solid foundation for hope, which is found in a relationship with God.
Daily Verse — straight to your inbox
A verse and a 2-sentence plain-English explanation, every morning. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.