Job 15:14
What is man, that he should be clean? and he which is born of a woman, that he should be righteous?
Original Language Analysis
מָֽה
H4100
מָֽה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
1 of 8
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
אֱנ֥וֹשׁ
What is man
H582
אֱנ֥וֹשׁ
What is man
Strong's:
H582
Word #:
2 of 8
properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified h0120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
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
יִזְכֶּ֑ה
that he should be clean
H2135
יִזְכֶּ֑ה
that he should be clean
Strong's:
H2135
Word #:
4 of 8
to be translucent; figuratively, to be innocent
וְכִֽי
H3588
וְכִֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
5 of 8
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יִ֝צְדַּ֗ק
that he should be righteous
H6663
יִ֝צְדַּ֗ק
that he should be righteous
Strong's:
H6663
Word #:
6 of 8
to be (causatively, make) right (in a moral or forensic sense)
Cross References
Ecclesiastes 7:20For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.Job 14:4Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one.Proverbs 20:9Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?Romans 7:18For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.Psalms 14:3They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.1 Kings 8:46If they sin against thee, (for there is no man that sinneth not,) and thou be angry with them, and deliver them to the enemy, so that they carry them away captives unto the land of the enemy, far or near;
Historical Context
The question reflects biblical teaching about universal sinfulness (Psalm 51:5, Romans 3:23). Ancient wisdom recognized human moral corruption. Eliphaz's theology is orthodox but his application is flawed—he uses the doctrine of universal sin to silence Job's specific protests of innocence regarding his friends' accusations. This demonstrates how sound doctrine can be weaponized against individuals.
Questions for Reflection
- How do we affirm universal human sinfulness without falsely accusing individuals of specific sins?
- What is the difference between acknowledging our general unworthiness and confessing particular transgressions we haven't committed?
Analysis & Commentary
Eliphaz asks: 'What is man, that he should be clean? and he which is born of a woman, that he should be righteous?' The question echoes Eliphaz's earlier speech (4:17) and anticipates Bildad (25:4). Tahor (טָהוֹר, clean) means pure or undefiled. Tsadaq (צָדַק, righteous) means just or vindicated. Eliphaz correctly identifies universal sinfulness but wrongly applies it—affirming general human depravity doesn't prove Job's specific guilt. The doctrine of original sin is true but doesn't require confessing imaginary particular sins.