Job 4:19
How much less in them that dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, which are crushed before the moth?
Original Language Analysis
אַ֤ף׀
How much less
H637
אַ֤ף׀
How much less
Strong's:
H637
Word #:
1 of 10
meaning accession (used as an adverb or conjunction); also or yea; adversatively though
שֹֽׁכְנֵ֬י
in them that dwell
H7931
שֹֽׁכְנֵ֬י
in them that dwell
Strong's:
H7931
Word #:
2 of 10
to reside or permanently stay (literally or figuratively)
בָֽתֵּי
in houses
H1004
בָֽתֵּי
in houses
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
3 of 10
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
חֹ֗מֶר
of clay
H2563
חֹ֗מֶר
of clay
Strong's:
H2563
Word #:
4 of 10
properly, a bubbling up, i.e., of water, a wave; hence, a chomer or dry measure
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
5 of 10
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
בֶּֽעָפָ֥ר
is in the dust
H6083
בֶּֽעָפָ֥ר
is in the dust
Strong's:
H6083
Word #:
6 of 10
dust (as powdered or gray); hence, clay, earth, mud
יְ֝דַכְּא֗וּם
which are crushed
H1792
יְ֝דַכְּא֗וּם
which are crushed
Strong's:
H1792
Word #:
8 of 10
to crumble; transitively, to bruise (literally or figuratively)
Cross References
Job 10:9Remember, I beseech thee, that thou hast made me as the clay; and wilt thou bring me into dust again?Genesis 2:7And 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 33:6Behold, I am according to thy wish in God's stead: I also am formed out of the clay.Genesis 3:19In 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.Psalms 39:11When thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity, thou makest his beauty to consume away like a moth: surely every man is vanity. Selah.Job 13:12Your remembrances are like unto ashes, your bodies to bodies of clay.Job 13:28And he, as a rotten thing, consumeth, as a garment that is moth eaten.2 Corinthians 4:7But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.Genesis 18:27And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes:
Historical Context
The body as a clay house appears throughout ancient Near Eastern wisdom literature, emphasizing human mortality and frailty. Eliphaz uses this common imagery to argue for universal human guilt deserving judgment.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you balance biblical anthropology (human frailty) with biblical soteriology (God's preserving grace)?
- What does it mean that God chooses to preserve those who dwell in 'houses of clay'?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Eliphaz continues: 'How much less in them that dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, which are crushed before the moth?' The 'houses of clay' refers to human bodies (2 Corinthians 5:1). Eliphaz argues from lesser to greater: if angels can fall, how much more humans! The moth comparison suggests humans are crushed as easily as moths. This is true anthropology—humans are frail—but false soteriology—it denies that God's power preserves His elect.