Job 25:4
How then can man be justified with God? or how can he be clean that is born of a woman?
Original Language Analysis
וּמַה
H4100
וּמַה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
1 of 9
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
יִּצְדַּ֣ק
be justified
H6663
יִּצְדַּ֣ק
be justified
Strong's:
H6663
Word #:
2 of 9
to be (causatively, make) right (in a moral or forensic sense)
אֱנ֣וֹשׁ
How then can man
H582
אֱנ֣וֹשׁ
How then can man
Strong's:
H582
Word #:
3 of 9
properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified h0120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)
עִם
H5973
עִם
Strong's:
H5973
Word #:
4 of 9
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
אֵ֑ל
with God
H410
אֵ֑ל
with God
Strong's:
H410
Word #:
5 of 9
strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the almighty (but used also of any deity)
וּמַה
H4100
וּמַה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
6 of 9
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
יִּ֝זְכֶּ֗ה
or how can he be clean
H2135
יִּ֝זְכֶּ֗ה
or how can he be clean
Strong's:
H2135
Word #:
7 of 9
to be translucent; figuratively, to be innocent
Cross References
Romans 5:1Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:Psalms 130:3If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?Job 9:2I know it is so of a truth: but how should man be just with God?Psalms 143:2And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified.1 John 1:9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.Zechariah 13:1In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness.Revelation 1:5And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,Psalms 51:5Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.Ephesians 2:3Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern purity concepts emphasized ritual cleanliness, but Bildad speaks of ontological uncleanness. His question anticipates Paul's in Romans 3:20-24, though Bildad lacks the answer of justification by faith.
Questions for Reflection
- How can fallen humans be justified before holy God?
- What answer does the gospel provide to Bildad's question?
Analysis & Commentary
Bildad's question: 'How then can man be justified with God? or how can he be clean that is born of a woman?' This raises the fundamental problem of human sinfulness before divine holiness. While the question is legitimate, Bildad uses it to deny any defense rather than point toward grace.