18 The genitive after the construct is one of advantage—it is hope for the tree.
19 The figure now changes to a tree for the discussion of the finality of death. At least the tree will sprout again when it is cut down. Why, Job wonders, should what has been granted to the tree not also be granted to humans?
20 The Hiphil of זָקַן (zaqan, “to be old”) is here an internal causative, “to grow old.”
21 The Hiphil is here classified as an inchoative Hiphil (see §53.e), for the tree only begins to die. In other words, it appears to be dead, but actually is not completely dead.
22 The translates “dust” [soil] with “rock,” probably in light of the earlier illustration of the tree growing in the rocks. Job is thinking here of a tree that dies or decays because of a drought rather than being uprooted, because the next verse will tell how it can revive with water.
23 The personification adds to the comparison with people—the tree is credited with the sense of smell to detect the water.
24 The sense of “flourish” for this verb is found in Ps 92:12, 13[13, 14], and Prov 14:11. It makes an appropriate parallel with “bring forth boughs” in the second half.
25 Heb “and will make.”

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

“For there is hope for a tree,

if it be cut down, that it will sprout again,

and that its shoots will not cease.

Though its root grow old in the earth,

and its stump die in the soil,

yet at the scent of water it will bud

and put out branches like a young plant.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

“At least there is hope for a tree:

If it is cut down, it will sprout again,

and its new shoots will not fail.

Its roots may grow old in the ground

and its stump die in the soil,

yet at the scent of water it will bud

and put forth shoots like a plant.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

There is hope for a tree:

If it is cut down, it will sprout again,

and its shoots will not die.

If its roots grow old in the ground

and its stump starts to die in the soil,

the scent of water makes it thrive

and produce twigs like a sapling.

NLTNew Living Translation

“Even a tree has more hope!

If it is cut down, it will sprout again

and grow new branches.

Though its roots have grown old in the earth

and its stump decays,

at the scent of water it will bud

and sprout again like a new seedling.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

“Indeed, there is hope for a tree:

if it is cut down, then it will sprout again,

and its new shoots will not cease;

though its root grows old in the earth,

and its stump dies in the dust,

at the scent of water it will bud,

and it will put forth branches like a young plant.

KJV 1900King James Version

For there is hope of a tree,

If it be cut down, that it will sprout again,

And that the tender branch thereof will not cease.

Though the root thereof wax old in the earth,

And the stock thereof die in the ground;

Yet through the scent of water it will bud,

And bring forth boughs like a plant.

Public Domain