Job 10:9

Authorized King James Version

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Remember, I beseech thee, that thou hast made me as the clay; and wilt thou bring me into dust again?

Original Language Analysis

זְכָר Remember H2142
זְכָר Remember
Strong's: H2142
Word #: 1 of 8
properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e., to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male
נָ֭א H4994
נָ֭א
Strong's: H4994
Word #: 2 of 8
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
כִּי H3588
כִּי
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 3 of 8
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
כַחֹ֣מֶר me as the clay H2563
כַחֹ֣מֶר me as the clay
Strong's: H2563
Word #: 4 of 8
properly, a bubbling up, i.e., of water, a wave; hence, a chomer or dry measure
עֲשִׂיתָ֑נִי I beseech thee that thou hast made H6213
עֲשִׂיתָ֑נִי I beseech thee that thou hast made
Strong's: H6213
Word #: 5 of 8
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
וְֽאֶל H413
וְֽאֶל
Strong's: H413
Word #: 6 of 8
near, with or among; often in general, to
עָפָ֥ר me into dust H6083
עָפָ֥ר me into dust
Strong's: H6083
Word #: 7 of 8
dust (as powdered or gray); hence, clay, earth, mud
תְּשִׁיבֵֽנִי׃ again H7725
תְּשִׁיבֵֽנִי׃ again
Strong's: H7725
Word #: 8 of 8
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

Analysis & Commentary

Job appeals to his creaturely status: 'Remember, I beseech thee, that thou hast made me as the clay; and wilt thou bring me into dust again?' The verb 'remember' (zakar, זָכַר) pleads for God to recall and act based on remembering. 'Made me as the clay' echoes Genesis 2:7—humans formed from dust. Job appeals to God's craftsmanship: would an artist destroy his work? The phrase 'bring me into dust again' (shub el-aphar, שׁוּב אֶל-עָפָר) refers to death, reversing creation.

Job's appeal assumes God's creative work implies ongoing care—if God invested effort creating, why destroy? The logic seems sound: craftsmen preserve their work. But Job misunderstands God's purposes in suffering—it isn't destruction but refinement. Potter imagery throughout Scripture shows God sometimes breaks and remakes vessels (Jeremiah 18:1-6, Romans 9:20-21) to accomplish better purposes.

The resurrection provides the ultimate answer: God does let us return to dust, but raises us imperishable (1 Corinthians 15:42-44). The 'destruction' Job fears isn't final but transitional—the mortal body returns to dust so the resurrection body can emerge glorified. God remembers we are dust (Psalm 103:14), which moves Him to compassion, not abandonment.

Historical Context

Ancient Near Eastern pottery was common craft—everyone understood the potter-clay relationship. Biblical writers frequently used this imagery for divine sovereignty and human dependence (Isaiah 29:16, 45:9, 64:8). Job invokes familiar metaphor hoping to evoke divine compassion toward His creation.

Questions for Reflection