Job 31:15
Did not he that made me in the womb make him? and did not one fashion us in the womb?
Original Language Analysis
הֲֽלֹא
H3808
הֲֽלֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
1 of 7
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
בַ֭בֶּטֶן
me in the womb
H990
בַ֭בֶּטֶן
me in the womb
Strong's:
H990
Word #:
2 of 7
the belly, especially the womb; also the bosom or body of anything
עָשָׂ֑הוּ
Did not he that made
H6213
עָשָׂ֑הוּ
Did not he that made
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
3 of 7
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
עָשָׂ֑הוּ
Did not he that made
H6213
עָשָׂ֑הוּ
Did not he that made
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
4 of 7
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
Cross References
Proverbs 14:31He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.Job 34:19How much less to him that accepteth not the persons of princes, nor regardeth the rich more than the poor? for they all are the work of his hands.Proverbs 22:2The rich and poor meet together: the LORD is the maker of them all.Malachi 2:10Have we not all one father? hath not one God created us? why do we deal treacherously every man against his brother, by profaning the covenant of our fathers?
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern cultures had rigid social hierarchies with masters having absolute power over slaves. Job's theology was radically countercultural—he granted servants legal standing to bring cases against him (v. 13). This anticipates Mosaic law's protections for servants (Exodus 21:26-27) and reflects Job's Edomite-era knowledge of creation theology (Genesis 1:27). The womb imagery emphasizes pre-social equality—class distinctions are human constructs, not divine design.
Questions for Reflection
- How does recognizing that God fashioned all people in the womb challenge social, economic, or racial prejudice?
- In what areas of life do you treat people differently based on their social status rather than their image-bearing dignity?
- How does Job's creation-based ethics inform Christian engagement with issues of human rights and equality today?
Analysis & Commentary
Did not he that made me in the womb make him? (הֲלֹא בַבֶּטֶן עֹשֵׂנִי עָשָׂהוּ, halo ba-beten oseini asahu)—the doubled verb asah (עָשָׂה, make/fashion) emphasizes the Creator's universal work. Did not one fashion us in the womb? (vay-khuneinu be-reḥem eḥad, וַיְכֻנֶנּוּ בָּרֶחֶם אֶחָד) uses kun (כּוּן, establish/fashion) and eḥad (אֶחָד, one), emphasizing shared origin.
This is Scripture's earliest explicit statement of human equality grounded in creation. Job argues: since God formed both master and servant in the womb, they share essential dignity and worth. This theology undergirds Malachi 2:10 ("Have we not all one father? hath not one God created us?") and Paul's declaration that in Christ "there is neither bond nor free" (Galatians 3:28). Job's treatment of servants (vv. 13-15) flows from creation theology—to despise those made in God's image is to despise their Maker.