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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 4:17 Can a mortal be more righteous than God, or a man more pure than his Maker?</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/job/4-17.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/7/18_Job_04_17.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Job 4:17 - Eliphaz: The Innocent Prosper" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Can a mortal be more righteous than God, or a man more pure than his Maker?" /><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/4-17.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/4-17.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 17</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="/ad17.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/4-16.htm" title="Job 4:16">◄</a> Job 4:17 <a href="/job/4-18.htm" title="Job 4:18">►</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 />Can a mortal be more righteous than God? Can even a strong man be more pure than his Maker?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/job/4.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />‘Can a mortal be innocent before God? Can anyone be pure before the Creator?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/job/4.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />‘Can mortal man be in the right before God? Can a man be pure before his Maker?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/job/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />‘Can a mortal be more righteous than God, or a man more pure than his Maker?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/job/4.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Shall mortal man be more just than God? shall a man be more pure than his maker?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/job/4.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />‘Can a mortal be more righteous than God? Can a man be more pure than his Maker?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/job/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />‘Can mankind be righteous before God? Can a man be pure before his Maker?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/job/4.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8216Can mankind be just before God? Can a man be pure before his Maker?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/job/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />‘Can mankind be just before God? Can a man be pure before his Maker?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/job/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />‘Can mankind be right before God? Can a man be pure before his Maker?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/job/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />‘Can [mortal] man be just before God <i>or</i> be more righteous than He? Can a man be pure before his Maker <i>or</i> be more cleansed than He?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/job/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Can a mortal be righteous before God? Can a man be more pure than his Maker? ”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/job/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />&#8220Can a person be more righteous than God, or a man more pure than his Maker?&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/job/4.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Shall mortal man be more just than God? Shall a man be more pure than his Maker?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/job/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />"No humans are innocent in the eyes of God their Creator. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/job/4.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Shall mortal man be more just than God? shall a man be more pure than his Maker?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/job/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />'Can [any] mortal be righteous to God? Can [any] human being be pure to his maker?'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/job/4.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />"Can anyone be righteous in the sight of God or be pure before his Creator? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/job/4.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Can a mortal person be more righteous than God? Or can the purity of the valiant exceed that of his maker?' <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/job/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />?Can a mortal be more righteous than God, or a man more pure than his Maker?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/job/4.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />"Is a mortal man righteous before God? Or a man pure before his Creator? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/job/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />'Shall mortal man be more just than God? Shall a man be more pure than his Maker?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/job/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Shall mortal man be more just than God? shall a man be more pure than his maker?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/job/4.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />‘Shall mortal man be more just than God? Shall a man be more pure than his Maker? <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/job/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Is mortal man more righteous than God? Is a man cleaner than his Maker?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/job/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> 'Is mortal man than God more righteous? Than his Maker is a man cleaner?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/job/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Shall a man be just above God? If a man shall be pure above him making him?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/job/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Shall man be justified in comparison of God, or shall a man be more pure than his maker? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/job/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Should man be justified in relation to God, or will a man be more pure than his Maker?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/job/4.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />“Can anyone be more in the right than God? Can mortals be more blameless than their Maker? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/job/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />‘Can mortals be righteous before God? Can human beings be pure before their Maker?<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/job/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Shall mortal man be declared more righteous than God? Shall he be more pure than his Maker?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/job/4.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Will man be declared more just than God, or is a man purer than his Maker?<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/job/4.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Shall mortal man be just before God? Shall a man be pure before his Maker?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/job/4.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />What, shall a mortal be pure before the Lord? or a man be blameless in regard to his works?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/job/4-17.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=635" 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">16</span>It stood still, but I could not discern its appearance; a form loomed before my eyes, and I heard a whispering voice: <span class="reftext">17</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/582.htm" title="582: ha·’ĕ·nō·wōš (Art:: N-ms) -- Man, mankind. From 'anash; properly, a mortal; hence, a man in general.">‘Can a mortal</a> <a href="/hebrew/6663.htm" title="6663: yiṣ·dāq (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To be just or righteous. A primitive root; to be right.">be more righteous</a> <a href="/hebrew/433.htm" title="433: mê·’ĕ·lō·w·ha (Prep-m:: N-ms) -- God, god. Probably prolonged From 'el; a deity or the Deity.">than God,</a> <a href="/hebrew/518.htm" title="518: ’im (Conj) -- If. A primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!">or</a> <a href="/hebrew/1397.htm" title="1397: gā·ḇer (N-ms) -- Man. From gabar; properly, a valiant man or warrior; generally, a person simply.">a man</a> <a href="/hebrew/2891.htm" title="2891: yiṭ·har- (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To be clean or pure. A primitive root; properly, to be bright; i.e. to be pure.">more pure</a> <a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: mê·‘ō·śê·hū (Prep-m:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-msc:: 3ms) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">than his Maker?</a> </span><span class="reftext">18</span>If God puts no trust in His servants, and He charges His angels with error,…<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="/romans/3-23.htm">Romans 3:23</a></span><br />for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/143-2.htm">Psalm 143:2</a></span><br />Do not bring Your servant into judgment, for no one alive is righteous before You.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ecclesiastes/7-20.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:20</a></span><br />Surely there is no righteous man on earth who does good and never sins.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/3-10.htm">Romans 3:10-12</a></span><br />As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one. / There is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. / All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/1-8.htm">1 John 1:8</a></span><br />If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/5-12.htm">Romans 5:12</a></span><br />Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, so also death was passed on to all men, because all sinned.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/6-5.htm">Genesis 6:5</a></span><br />Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great upon the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was altogether evil all the time.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/64-6.htm">Isaiah 64:6</a></span><br />Each of us has become like something unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all wither like a leaf, and our iniquities carry us away like the wind.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/17-9.htm">Jeremiah 17:9</a></span><br />The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/8-46.htm">1 Kings 8:46</a></span><br />When they sin against You—for there is no one who does not sin—and You become angry with them and deliver them to an enemy who takes them as captives to his own land, whether far or near,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/20-9.htm">Proverbs 20:9</a></span><br />Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure; I am cleansed from my sin”?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/7-18.htm">Romans 7:18</a></span><br />I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh; for I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/3-22.htm">Galatians 3:22</a></span><br />But the Scripture pronounces all things confined by sin, so that by faith in Jesus Christ the promise might be given to those who believe.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/19-17.htm">Matthew 19:17</a></span><br />“Why do you ask Me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/10-18.htm">Mark 10:18</a></span><br />“Why do you call Me good?” Jesus replied. “No one is good except God alone.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Shall mortal man be more just than God? shall a man be more pure than his maker?</p><p class="hdg">Shall mortal.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/8-3.htm">Job 8:3</a></b></br> Doth God pervert judgment? or doth the Almighty pervert justice?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/9-2.htm">Job 9:2</a></b></br> I know <i>it is</i> so of a truth: but how should man be just with God?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/35-2.htm">Job 35:2</a></b></br> Thinkest thou this to be right, <i>that</i> thou saidst, My righteousness <i>is</i> more than God's?</p><p class="hdg">shall a man.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/9-30.htm">Job 9:30,31</a></b></br> If I wash myself with snow water, and make my hands never so clean; … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/14-4.htm">Job 14:4</a></b></br> Who can bring a clean <i>thing</i> out of an unclean? not one.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/15-14.htm">Job 15:14</a></b></br> What <i>is</i> man, that he should be clean? and <i>he which is</i> born of a woman, that he should be righteous?</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/nehemiah/13-30.htm">Clean</a> <a href="/1_kings/4-32.htm">Maker</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/6-18.htm">Mankind</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/5-26.htm">Mortal</a> <a href="/ezra/6-20.htm">Pure</a> <a href="/job/4-7.htm">Righteous</a> <a href="/job/4-7.htm">Upright</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/job/8-6.htm">Clean</a> <a href="/job/9-9.htm">Maker</a> <a href="/job/12-10.htm">Mankind</a> <a href="/job/9-2.htm">Mortal</a> <a href="/job/8-6.htm">Pure</a> <a href="/job/6-29.htm">Righteous</a> <a href="/job/6-25.htm">Upright</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>Can a mortal be more righteous than God</b><br>This phrase challenges the notion of human righteousness in comparison to divine righteousness. In the biblical context, it reflects the understanding that humans, being created beings, cannot surpass the moral and ethical perfection of their Creator. This echoes the sentiments found in <a href="/isaiah/64-6.htm">Isaiah 64:6</a>, where human righteousness is described as "filthy rags" before God. The rhetorical question emphasizes the vast gap between God's holiness and human imperfection, a theme prevalent throughout Scripture. It also aligns with the teachings in <a href="/romans/3-23.htm">Romans 3:23</a>, which state that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, underscoring the need for divine grace.<p><b>or a man more pure than his Maker?</b><br>This phrase further emphasizes the impossibility of human purity exceeding that of God, the Creator. The term "Maker" highlights God's role as the originator of life, reinforcing His authority and perfection. In the cultural context of the ancient Near East, purity was often associated with ritual cleanliness and moral integrity. This question challenges the listener to recognize human limitations and the inherent sinfulness that separates humanity from God's perfect purity. It also points to the necessity of a mediator, which Christians find fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who is described in <a href="/hebrews/4-15.htm">Hebrews 4:15</a> as one who was "tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin." This connection to Christ underscores the belief that only through Him can humans attain righteousness and purity before God.<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 verse, offering his perspective on Job's suffering.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/job.htm">Job</a></b><br>A wealthy and righteous man who experiences severe trials and suffering. The book of Job explores his responses and the dialogues with 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 is identified as a Temanite, suggesting he is considered wise.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The Creator and ultimate judge of righteousness, whose nature and justice are central themes in the book of Job.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_heavenly_court.htm">The Heavenly Court</a></b><br>The setting of the initial chapters of Job, where God and Satan discuss Job's faithfulness, setting the stage for the events that follow.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_human_limitations.htm">Understanding Human Limitations</a></b><br>Recognize that humans, by nature, cannot surpass God's righteousness. This humbles us and reminds us of our need for God's grace.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_nature_of_god.htm">The Nature of God</a></b><br>Reflect on God's perfect righteousness and purity. This understanding should lead us to worship and trust in His justice and wisdom.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_suffering.htm">The Role of Suffering</a></b><br>Consider how suffering can lead to deeper insights into God's character and our own limitations, as seen in Job's account.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_humility.htm">The Importance of Humility</a></b><br>Embrace humility in our spiritual journey, acknowledging that our understanding and righteousness are limited compared to God's.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/seeking_god's_wisdom.htm">Seeking God's Wisdom</a></b><br>In times of confusion or suffering, seek God's wisdom rather than relying solely on human understanding, as Eliphaz's counsel demonstrates the limitations of human reasoning.<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/how_can_job_4_17_declare_humans_unjust.htm">In Job 4:17, how can humans be declared unjust by default if the text elsewhere affirms God’s love and mercy toward humanity? </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/why_does_job_4_contradict_psalms.htm">Why does Job 4 seem to contradict other biblical teachings, such as the Book of Psalms, that the righteous can and do suffer?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_eliphaz_claim_innocents_don't_perish.htm">In Job 4:7, how could Eliphaz assert that no innocent person has ever perished when history shows countless examples of righteous people suffering?</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>(17) <span class= "bld">Shall mortal man be more just than God?</span>--This is the burden, or refrain, upon which the friends of Job are for ever harping. It is perfectly orthodox, but at the same time perfectly inadequate to deal with the necessities of Job's case. He is willing to admit that it is impossible for any man to be just with God; but then arises Job's dilemma, Where is God's justice if He punishes the innocent as the guilty? The word rendered "mortal" man is really <span class= "ital">weak, frail </span>man, involving, it may be, the idea of <span class= "ital">mortality, </span>but not immediately suggesting it. As far as mortality implies sin, the notion of being <span class= "ital">just </span>is absurd; and even a <span class= "ital">strong </span>man--such is the antithesis--cannot be more pure than He that made him, who, it is assumed, must be both strong and righteous.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/job/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 17.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Shall mortal man be more just than God?</span> Is it to be supposed that the ways of God can be rightly criticized and condemned by man? Surely not; for then man must be more penetrated with the spirit of justice than the Almighty. If our thoughts are not as God's thoughts, it must be, our thoughts that are wrong. <span class="cmt_word">Shall a man be more pure than his Maker?</span> Equally impossible. God alone is absolutely pure. The best man must be conscious to himself, as Isaiah was (<a href="/isaiah/6-5.htm">Isaiah 6:5</a>), of uncleanness. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/job/4-17.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">‘Can a [mortal]</span><br /><span class="heb">הַֽ֭אֱנוֹשׁ</span> <span class="translit">(ha·’ĕ·nō·wōš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> </span><span class="str2">A man as an individual, a male person</span><br /><br /><span class="word">be more righteous</span><br /><span class="heb">יִצְדָּ֑ק</span> <span class="translit">(yiṣ·dāq)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6663.htm">Strong's 6663: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be just or righteous</span><br /><br /><span class="word">than God,</span><br /><span class="heb">מֵאֱל֣וֹהַ</span> <span class="translit">(mê·’ĕ·lō·w·ha)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_433.htm">Strong's 433: </a> </span><span class="str2">God -- a deity, the Deity</span><br /><br /><span class="word">or</span><br /><span class="heb">אִ֥ם</span> <span class="translit">(’im)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_518.htm">Strong's 518: </a> </span><span class="str2">Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a man</span><br /><span class="heb">גָּֽבֶר׃</span> <span class="translit">(gā·ḇer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1397.htm">Strong's 1397: </a> </span><span class="str2">A valiant man, warrior, a person simply</span><br /><br /><span class="word">more pure</span><br /><span class="heb">יִטְהַר־</span> <span class="translit">(yiṭ·har-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2891.htm">Strong's 2891: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be clean or pure</span><br /><br /><span class="word">than his Maker?</span><br /><span class="heb">מֵ֝עֹשֵׂ֗הוּ</span> <span class="translit">(mê·‘ō·śê·hū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> </span><span class="str2">To do, make</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/job/4-17.htm">Job 4:17 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/job/4-17.htm">Job 4:17 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/job/4-17.htm">Job 4:17 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/job/4-17.htm">Job 4:17 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/job/4-17.htm">Job 4:17 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/job/4-17.htm">Job 4:17 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/job/4-17.htm">Job 4:17 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/job/4-17.htm">Job 4:17 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/job/4-17.htm">Job 4:17 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/job/4-17.htm">Job 4:17 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/job/4-17.htm">OT Poetry: Job 4:17 Shall mortal man be more just than (Jb) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/job/4-16.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Job 4:16"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Job 4:16" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/job/4-18.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Job 4:18"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Job 4:18" /></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>