How much less [in] them that dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation [is] in the dust, [which] are crushed before the moth?
How much less {H637} in them that dwell {H7931} in houses {H1004} of clay {H2563}, whose foundation {H3247} is in the dust {H6083}, which are crushed {H1792} before {H6440} the moth {H6211}?
much more those living in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust. They are crushed more easily than a worm;
how much more those who dwell in houses of clay, whose foundations are in the dust, who can be crushed like a moth!
How much more them that dwell in houses of clay, Whose foundation is in the dust, Who are crushed before the moth!
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Genesis 2:7
And the LORD God formed man [of] the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. -
Job 10:9
Remember, I beseech thee, that thou hast made me as the clay; and wilt thou bring me into dust again? -
Job 33:6
Behold, I [am] according to thy wish in God's stead: I also am formed out of the clay. -
Genesis 3:19
In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou [art], and unto dust shalt thou return. -
Job 13:28
And he, as a rotten thing, consumeth, as a garment that is moth eaten. -
Genesis 18:27
And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which [am but] dust and ashes: -
2 Corinthians 4:7
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
Job 4:19 is part of Eliphaz the Temanite's first discourse to Job, where he attempts to explain suffering through traditional wisdom, arguing for God's absolute justice and the inherent sinfulness of humanity. This verse vividly portrays the extreme frailty and transience of human life in contrast to God's eternal power and purity.
Context
Eliphaz, one of Job's three friends, speaks after Job's initial lamentations, seeking to understand Job's immense suffering. He claims to have received a vision (Job 4:12-16) that confirms his belief in humanity's impurity before God. In his view, no mortal can be righteous enough to avoid suffering, implying Job's immense suffering must be due to some hidden sin. Verse 19 serves as a rhetorical question, following a comparison of humans to angels (Job 4:18), emphasizing that if God finds fault even in heavenly beings, how much less perfect are humans, who are so much weaker and more vulnerable. This commentary on Job 4:19 offers insight into ancient perspectives on human nature and divine judgment, a core theme in the Book of Job.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The phrase "houses of clay" is a powerful ancient Near Eastern metaphor for the human body, emphasizing its earthly origin and delicate nature. Just as clay pots can be easily broken, so too can the human body be destroyed. The imagery of "whose foundation is in the dust" further reinforces this connection to the earth from which humanity was formed (Genesis 2:7). The final phrase, "crushed before the moth," highlights extreme vulnerability. A moth, seemingly insignificant, can destroy valuable garments; similarly, human life, though seemingly robust, can be easily extinguished or brought to ruin by seemingly minor forces or the inevitable process of decay. The Hebrew word for "crushed" (דַּכָּא - *dakka*) implies being broken or pulverized, underscoring the completeness of this vulnerability.
Practical Application
Job 4:19 offers several timeless lessons for a general audience seeking to understand human existence and God's sovereignty: