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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Job 4:19 how much more those who dwell in houses of clay, whose foundations are in the dust, who can be crushed like a moth!</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/job/4-19.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/9/18_Job_04_19.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Job 4:19 - Eliphaz: The Innocent Prosper" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="how much more those who dwell in houses of clay, whose foundations are in the dust, who can be crushed like a moth!" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/job/4-19.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/job/4-19.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/job/">Job</a> > <a href="/job/4.htm">Chapter 4</a> > Verse 19</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad19.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/job/4-18.htm" title="Job 4:18">◄</a> Job 4:19 <a href="/job/4-20.htm" title="Job 4:20">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/job/4.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/job/4.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />how much more those who live in houses of clay, whose foundations are in the dust, who are crushed more readily than a moth!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/job/4.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />how much less will he trust people made of clay! They are made of dust, crushed as easily as a moth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/job/4.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />how much more those who dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, who are crushed like the moth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/job/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />how much more those who dwell in houses of clay, whose foundations are in the dust, who can be crushed like a moth!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/job/4.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />How much less <i>in</i> them that dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation <i>is</i> in the dust, <i>which</i> are crushed before the moth?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/job/4.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />How much more those who dwell in houses of clay, Whose foundation is in the dust, <i>Who</i> are crushed before a moth?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/job/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />‘How much more those who live in houses of clay, Whose foundation is in the dust, Who are crushed before the moth!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/job/4.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8216How much more those who dwell in houses of clay, Whose foundation is in the dust, Who are crushed before the moth!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/job/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />‘How much more those who dwell in houses of clay, Whose foundation is in the dust, Who are crushed before the moth!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/job/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />How much more those who dwell in houses of clay, Whose foundation is in the dust, Who are crushed before the moth!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/job/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />‘How much more [will He blame and charge] those who dwell in houses (bodies) of clay, Whose foundations are in the dust, Who are crushed like a moth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/job/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />how much more those who dwell in clay houses, whose foundation is in the dust, who are crushed like a moth!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/job/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />how much more those who dwell in clay houses, whose foundation is in the dust, who are crushed like a moth! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/job/4.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />How much more them that dwell in houses of clay, Whose foundation is in the dust, Who are crushed before the moth!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/job/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Humans are formed from clay and are fragile as moths, so what chance do you have? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/job/4.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />How much more them that dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, which are crushed before the moth!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/job/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />How much more will he accuse those who live in clay houses that have their foundation in the dust. Those houses can be crushed quicker than a moth!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/job/4.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Do you think he will trust a creature of clay, a thing of dust that can be crushed like a moth? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/job/4.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />how much less confidence does he have in those who dwell in houses of clay; who were formed from a foundation in dust and can perish like a moth?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/job/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />how much more those who dwell in houses of clay, whose foundations are in the dust, who can be crushed like a moth!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/job/4.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />how much more to those who live in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, who are crushed like a moth? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/job/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />How much more, those who dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, who are crushed before the moth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/job/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />How much less in them that dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, who are crushed before the moth?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/job/4.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />How much more those who dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, who are crushed before the moth! <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/job/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Also—the inhabitants of houses of clay "" (Whose foundation [is] in the dust, "" They bruise them before a moth).<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/job/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Also -- the inhabitants of houses of clay, (Whose foundation is in the dust, They bruise them before a moth.)<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/job/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Also those dwelling in houses of clay which their foundation in the dust, being crushed before the moth.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/job/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />How much more shall they that dwell in houses of clay, who have an earthly foundation, be consumed as with the moth? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/job/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />How much more will those who live in houses of clay, which have an earthly foundation, be consumed like the moth?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/job/4.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />How much more with those who dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, who are crushed more easily than a moth! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/job/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />how much more those who live in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, who are crushed like a moth.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/job/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Even those who dwell in decorated houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, shall be humbled before the thick darkness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/job/4.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Also those dwelling in houses of clay that dwell in the dust will be laid low before the thick darkness<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/job/4.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />How much more them that dwell in houses of clay, Whose foundation is in the dust, who are crushed before the moth!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/job/4.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />But <i>as for</i> them that dwell in houses of clay, of whom we also are formed of the same clay, he smites them like a moth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/job/4-19.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XAwuD5NuZq0?start=647" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/job/4.htm">Eliphaz: The Innocent Prosper</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">18</span>If God puts no trust in His servants, and He charges His angels with error, <span class="reftext">19</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/637.htm" title="637: ’ap̄ (Conj) -- Also, yea. A primitive particle; meaning accession; also or yea; adversatively though.">how much more</a> <a href="/hebrew/7931.htm" title="7931: šō·ḵə·nê (V-Qal-Prtcpl-mpc) -- A primitive root (by transmission) to shakab through the idea of lodging; compare cikluwth, shakam); to reside or permanently stay.">those who dwell</a> <a href="/hebrew/1004.htm" title="1004: ḇāt·tê- (N-mpc) -- A house. Probably from banah abbreviated; a house.">in houses</a> <a href="/hebrew/2563.htm" title="2563: ḥō·mer (N-ms) -- From chamar; properly, a bubbling up, i.e. Of water, a wave; of earth, mire or clay; also a heap; hence, a chomer or dry measure.">of clay,</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer- (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">whose</a> <a href="/hebrew/3247.htm" title="3247: yə·sō·w·ḏām (N-msc:: 3mp) -- Foundation, base. From yacad; a foundation.">foundations</a> <a href="/hebrew/6083.htm" title="6083: be·‘ā·p̄ār (Prep-b, Art:: N-ms) -- Dry earth, dust. From aphar; dust; hence, clay, earth, mud.">are in the dust,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1792.htm" title="1792: yə·ḏak·kə·’ūm (V-Piel-Imperf-3mp:: 3mp) -- To crush. A primitive root; to crumble; transitively, to bruise.">who can be crushed</a> <a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: lip̄·nê- (Prep-l:: N-mpc) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition."></a> <a href="/hebrew/6211.htm" title="6211: ‘āš (N-ms) -- A moth. From ashesh; a moth.">like a moth!</a> </span><span class="reftext">20</span>They are smashed to pieces from dawn to dusk; unnoticed, they perish forever.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/3-19.htm">Genesis 3:19</a></span><br />By the sweat of your brow you will eat your bread, until you return to the ground—because out of it were you taken. For dust you are, and to dust you shall return.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/4-7.htm">2 Corinthians 4:7</a></span><br />Now we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this surpassingly great power is from God and not from us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/5-1.htm">2 Corinthians 5:1</a></span><br />For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is dismantled, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/103-14.htm">Psalm 103:14-16</a></span><br />For He knows our frame; He is mindful that we are dust. / As for man, his days are like grass—he blooms like a flower of the field; / when the wind passes over, it vanishes, and its place remembers it no more.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/64-8.htm">Isaiah 64:8</a></span><br />But now, O LORD, You are our Father; we are the clay, and You are the potter; we are all the work of Your hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ecclesiastes/12-7.htm">Ecclesiastes 12:7</a></span><br />before the dust returns to the ground from which it came and the spirit returns to God who gave it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/15-47.htm">1 Corinthians 15:47-49</a></span><br />The first man was of the dust of the earth, the second man from heaven. / As was the earthly man, so also are those who are of the earth; and as is the heavenly man, so also are those who are of heaven. / And just as we have borne the likeness of the earthly man, so also shall we bear the likeness of the heavenly man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_peter/1-13.htm">2 Peter 1:13-14</a></span><br />I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of my body, / because I know that this tent will soon be laid aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/9-21.htm">Romans 9:21</a></span><br />Does not the potter have the right to make from the same lump of clay one vessel for special occasions and another for common use?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/29-16.htm">Isaiah 29:16</a></span><br />You have turned things upside down, as if the potter were regarded as clay. Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, “He did not make me”? Can the pottery say of the potter, “He has no understanding”?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/18-6.htm">Jeremiah 18:6</a></span><br />“O house of Israel, declares the LORD, can I not treat you as this potter treats his clay? Just like clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/3-16.htm">1 Corinthians 3:16-17</a></span><br />Do you not know that you yourselves are God’s temple, and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? / If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_timothy/2-20.htm">2 Timothy 2:20-21</a></span><br />A large house contains not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay. Some indeed are for honorable use, but others are for common use. / So if anyone cleanses himself of what is unfit, he will be a vessel for honor: sanctified, useful to the Master, and prepared for every good work.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/90-3.htm">Psalm 90:3-5</a></span><br />You return man to dust, saying, “Return, O sons of mortals.” / For in Your sight a thousand years are but a day that passes, or a watch of the night. / You sweep them away in their sleep; they are like the new grass of the morning—<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/1-24.htm">1 Peter 1:24</a></span><br />For, “All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall,</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">How much less in them that dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, which are crushed before the moth?</p><p class="hdg">dwell.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/10-9.htm">Job 10:9</a></b></br> Remember, I beseech thee, that thou hast made me as the clay; and wilt thou bring me into dust again?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/13-12.htm">Job 13:12</a></b></br> Your remembrances <i>are</i> like unto ashes, your bodies to bodies of clay.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/33-6.htm">Job 33:6</a></b></br> Behold, I <i>am</i> according to thy wish in God's stead: I also am formed out of the clay.</p><p class="hdg">crushed.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/13-28.htm">Job 13:28</a></b></br> And he, as a rotten thing, consumeth, as a garment that is moth eaten.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/14-2.htm">Job 14:2</a></b></br> He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/39-11.htm">Psalm 39:11</a></b></br> When thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity, thou makest his beauty to consume away like a moth: surely every man <i>is</i> vanity. Selah.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/ezra/5-16.htm">Bases</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/4-17.htm">Clay</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/34-7.htm">Crushed</a> <a href="/job/2-12.htm">Dust</a> <a href="/job/3-5.htm">Dwell</a> <a href="/job/3-14.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/ezra/5-16.htm">Foundation</a> <a href="/ezra/6-3.htm">Foundations</a> <a href="/job/3-15.htm">Houses</a> <a href="/nehemiah/9-24.htm">Inhabitants</a> <a href="/1_samuel/24-14.htm">Insect</a> <a href="/ezra/9-13.htm">Less</a> <a href="/luke/12-33.htm">Moth</a> <a href="/esther/6-12.htm">Quickly</a> <a href="/james/3-17.htm">Readily</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/job/38-6.htm">Bases</a> <a href="/job/10-9.htm">Clay</a> <a href="/job/5-4.htm">Crushed</a> <a href="/job/5-6.htm">Dust</a> <a href="/job/11-14.htm">Dwell</a> <a href="/job/5-6.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/job/22-16.htm">Foundation</a> <a href="/job/22-16.htm">Foundations</a> <a href="/job/15-28.htm">Houses</a> <a href="/job/26-5.htm">Inhabitants</a> <a href="/job/25-6.htm">Insect</a> <a href="/job/9-14.htm">Less</a> <a href="/job/13-28.htm">Moth</a> <a href="/job/5-13.htm">Quickly</a> <a href="/job/29-20.htm">Readily</a><div class="vheading2">Job 4</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/4-1.htm">Eliphaz reproves Job that the innocent do not suffer</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/4-7.htm">He teaches God's judgments to be not for the righteous, but for the wicked.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/4-12.htm">His fearful vision to humble the excellency of creatures before God.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/job/4.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/job/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/job/4.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>how much more those who dwell in houses of clay</b><br>This phrase highlights the frailty and mortality of human beings. In the ancient Near Eastern context, "houses of clay" metaphorically represent the human body, emphasizing its temporary and fragile nature. <a href="/genesis/2-7.htm">Genesis 2:7</a> describes God forming man from the dust of the ground, reinforcing the idea of humanity's humble origins. The imagery of clay is also used in <a href="/isaiah/64-8.htm">Isaiah 64:8</a>, where God is the potter and humans are the clay, illustrating divine sovereignty over human life. This phrase serves as a reminder of human vulnerability compared to the divine.<p><b>whose foundations are in the dust</b><br>The reference to "foundations in the dust" underscores the transient and unstable nature of human existence. Dust is a recurring biblical symbol for mortality and the inevitability of death, as seen in <a href="/genesis/3-19.htm">Genesis 3:19</a>, where God tells Adam, "for dust you are and to dust you will return." This imagery is meant to humble the reader, reminding them of their earthly origins and the ultimate return to dust. It also contrasts with the eternal and unchanging nature of God, who is often depicted as a rock or fortress in scripture, such as in <a href="/psalms/18-2.htm">Psalm 18:2</a>.<p><b>who can be crushed like a moth!</b><br>The comparison to a moth highlights the ease with which human life can be extinguished. Moths, being delicate and easily destroyed, symbolize the fragility of life. This imagery is echoed in other scriptures, such as <a href="/psalms/39-11.htm">Psalm 39:11</a>, where human beauty is described as being consumed like a moth. The phrase serves as a sobering reminder of the brevity and vulnerability of human life, urging reliance on God rather than on human strength or wisdom. It also points to the need for humility and the recognition of one's dependence on the Creator.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/e/eliphaz_the_temanite.htm">Eliphaz the Temanite</a></b><br>One of Job's three friends who comes to comfort him. Eliphaz is the speaker in this passage, offering his perspective on human frailty and divine justice.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/job.htm">Job</a></b><br>The central figure of the Book of Job, a man of great faith who undergoes severe trials and suffering. This verse is part of the dialogue between Job and his friends.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/teman.htm">Teman</a></b><br>A region in Edom, known for its wise men. Eliphaz, being a Temanite, is considered a man of wisdom and understanding.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/h/houses_of_clay.htm">Houses of Clay</a></b><br>A metaphor for human bodies, emphasizing their fragility and mortality.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/m/moth.htm">Moth</a></b><br>Used as a symbol of something easily destroyed, highlighting the transient nature of human life.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/h/human_frailty.htm">Human Frailty</a></b><br>Eliphaz's words remind us of our mortal nature. We are "houses of clay," emphasizing our need for humility and dependence on God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/divine_perspective.htm">Divine Perspective</a></b><br>Understanding our frailty should lead us to trust in God's strength and wisdom rather than our own.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_temporary_nature_of_life.htm">The Temporary Nature of Life</a></b><br>Like a moth, our lives are brief and can be easily disrupted. This should encourage us to focus on eternal values and priorities.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_need_for_compassion.htm">The Need for Compassion</a></b><br>Recognizing our shared human frailty should foster compassion and empathy towards others, especially those who are suffering.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/reliance_on_god's_strength.htm">Reliance on God’s Strength</a></b><br>In our weakness, we are called to rely on God’s strength, as He is the foundation that never fails.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_job_4.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Job 4</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_job_4_conflict_with_ancient_altruism.htm">Does the overwhelmingly negative view of human nature in Job 4 conflict with archaeological or historical evidence of altruistic behavior in ancient societies?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what's_in_jars_of_clay.htm">What are the treasures in jars of clay?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_job_30_19_align_with_god's_justice.htm">Job 30:19 - How does the depiction of God casting Job into the 'mire' align with other biblical passages that portray God as just and merciful?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_if_one_rejects_belief_in_god.htm">What does being rescued from mud and mire mean?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/job/4.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(19) <span class= "bld">Houses of clay.</span>--This may perhaps contain an allusion to <a href="/genesis/11-3.htm" title="And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them thoroughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for mortar.">Genesis 11:3</a>.<p><span class= "bld">Are crushed before the moth?</span>--That is to say, are so frail that even the moth destroys them.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/job/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 19.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">How much less in them that dwell in houses of clay!</span> rather, <span class="accented">hew muck more cloth he not put trust in them that inhabit houses of clay</span>! <span class="accented">i.e.</span> "earthly bodies," bodies made out of the dust of the ground (<a href="/genesis/2-7.htm">Genesis 2:7</a>; setup, <a href="/job/33-6.htm">Job 33:6</a>). <span class="cmt_word">Whose foundation is in the dust</span>; <span class="accented">i.e."</span> whose origin was the dust of the ground," which were formed from it and must return to it, according to the words of <a href="/genesis/3-19.htm">Genesis 3:19</a>, "Dust thou art, and unto dust thou must return." <span class="cmt_word">Which are crushed before the moth</span>. This is somewhat obscure. It may mean, "which are so fragile that a moth, a fly, or other weak creature may destroy them," or "which are crushed with the same ease with which a moth is crushed and destroyed." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/job/4-19.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">how much more</span><br /><span class="heb">אַ֤ף ׀</span> <span class="translit">(’ap̄)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_637.htm">Strong's 637: </a> </span><span class="str2">Meaning accession, yea, adversatively though</span><br /><br /><span class="word">those who dwell</span><br /><span class="heb">שֹׁכְנֵ֬י</span> <span class="translit">(šō·ḵə·nê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7931.htm">Strong's 7931: </a> </span><span class="str2">To settle down, abide, dwell</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in houses</span><br /><span class="heb">בָֽתֵּי־</span> <span class="translit">(ḇāt·tê-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1004.htm">Strong's 1004: </a> </span><span class="str2">A house</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of clay,</span><br /><span class="heb">חֹ֗מֶר</span> <span class="translit">(ḥō·mer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2563.htm">Strong's 2563: </a> </span><span class="str2">A bubbling up, of water, a wave, of earth, mire, clay, a heap, a chomer, dry measure</span><br /><br /><span class="word">whose</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲשֶׁר־</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·šer-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - relative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">foundations</span><br /><span class="heb">יְסוֹדָ֑ם</span> <span class="translit">(yə·sō·w·ḏām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3247.htm">Strong's 3247: </a> </span><span class="str2">Foundation, base</span><br /><br /><span class="word">are in the dust,</span><br /><span class="heb">בֶּעָפָ֥ר</span> <span class="translit">(be·‘ā·p̄ār)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6083.htm">Strong's 6083: </a> </span><span class="str2">Dust, clay, earth, mud</span><br /><br /><span class="word">who can be crushed</span><br /><span class="heb">יְ֝דַכְּא֗וּם</span> <span class="translit">(yə·ḏak·kə·’ūm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine plural | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1792.htm">Strong's 1792: </a> </span><span class="str2">To crumble, to bruise</span><br /><br /><span class="word">like a moth!</span><br /><span class="heb">עָֽשׁ׃</span> <span class="translit">(‘āš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6211.htm">Strong's 6211: </a> </span><span class="str2">A moth</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/job/4-19.htm">Job 4:19 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/job/4-19.htm">Job 4:19 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/job/4-19.htm">Job 4:19 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/job/4-19.htm">Job 4:19 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/job/4-19.htm">Job 4:19 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/job/4-19.htm">Job 4:19 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/job/4-19.htm">Job 4:19 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/job/4-19.htm">Job 4:19 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/job/4-19.htm">Job 4:19 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/job/4-19.htm">Job 4:19 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/job/4-19.htm">OT Poetry: Job 4:19 How much more those who dwell (Jb) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/job/4-18.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Job 4:18"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Job 4:18" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/job/4-20.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Job 4:20"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Job 4:20" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>