Job 15:14 - What is man, that he should be clean? What is he who is born of a woman, that he should be righteous?
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What does "Job 15:14" mean?
Job 15:14, "What is man, that he should be clean? What is he who is born of a woman, that he should be righteous?" expresses a pessimistic and perhaps even cynical view of human nature. It essentially argues that human beings are inherently flawed and incapable of achieving true purity or righteousness on their own.
Here's a breakdown of the key ideas:
"What is man, that he should be clean?": This questions the very possibility of human beings being truly pure or spotless. It implies that humanity is inherently defiled or tainted. The Hebrew word for "clean" (זַכֶּה, zakkeh) can also refer to purity in a moral or spiritual sense.
"What is he who is born of a woman, that he should be righteous?": This reinforces the idea that because humans are born into the world through natural processes (i.e., "born of a woman"), they are subject to imperfection and unrighteousness. It connects our inherent sinfulness (as some interpretations hold) to our very origin.
Context within the Book of Job:
This verse is spoken by Eliphaz, one of Job's friends, during a debate about Job's suffering and whether it's deserved. Eliphaz is trying to convince Job that his suffering is punishment for some hidden sin. He's using this line of reasoning to suggest that everyone is inherently sinful, and Job is no exception.
Interpretations and Theological Implications:
Human Imperfection: The most straightforward interpretation is that it highlights the inherent flaws and imperfections of human beings. We are all prone to mistakes, errors in judgment, and even deliberate wrongdoing.
Inability to Earn Righteousness: Some theological interpretations, particularly within certain Christian traditions, see this verse as supporting the idea that human beings cannot achieve righteousness through their own efforts or good works. They argue that righteousness comes only as a gift from God.
Contrast with God's Holiness: The verse implicitly contrasts human imperfection with God's absolute holiness and purity. It underscores the vast difference between the divine and the human.
Pessimistic View: It's important to note that this verse expresses a rather pessimistic view of human nature. It's part of Eliphaz's argument, and not necessarily a universal or definitive statement about humanity. Other parts of the Bible and other theological perspectives offer different, more hopeful views.
In summary, Job 15:14 expresses a bleak outlook on human nature, suggesting that humanity is fundamentally flawed and incapable of achieving true purity or righteousness on its own. It's a statement made within the context of a larger debate about suffering, sin, and the nature of God.
Job 15:14 - What is man, that he should be clean? What is he who is born of a woman, that he should be righteous?
What does "Job 15:14" mean?
Job 15:14, "What is man, that he should be clean? What is he who is born of a woman, that he should be righteous?" expresses a pessimistic and perhaps even cynical view of human nature. It essentially argues that human beings are inherently flawed and incapable of achieving true purity or righteousness on their own.
Here's a breakdown of the key ideas:
"What is man, that he should be clean?": This questions the very possibility of human beings being truly pure or spotless. It implies that humanity is inherently defiled or tainted. The Hebrew word for "clean" (זַכֶּה, zakkeh) can also refer to purity in a moral or spiritual sense.
"What is he who is born of a woman, that he should be righteous?": This reinforces the idea that because humans are born into the world through natural processes (i.e., "born of a woman"), they are subject to imperfection and unrighteousness. It connects our inherent sinfulness (as some interpretations hold) to our very origin.
Context within the Book of Job:
This verse is spoken by Eliphaz, one of Job's friends, during a debate about Job's suffering and whether it's deserved. Eliphaz is trying to convince Job that his suffering is punishment for some hidden sin. He's using this line of reasoning to suggest that everyone is inherently sinful, and Job is no exception.
Interpretations and Theological Implications:
Human Imperfection: The most straightforward interpretation is that it highlights the inherent flaws and imperfections of human beings. We are all prone to mistakes, errors in judgment, and even deliberate wrongdoing.
Inability to Earn Righteousness: Some theological interpretations, particularly within certain Christian traditions, see this verse as supporting the idea that human beings cannot achieve righteousness through their own efforts or good works. They argue that righteousness comes only as a gift from God.
Contrast with God's Holiness: The verse implicitly contrasts human imperfection with God's absolute holiness and purity. It underscores the vast difference between the divine and the human.
Pessimistic View: It's important to note that this verse expresses a rather pessimistic view of human nature. It's part of Eliphaz's argument, and not necessarily a universal or definitive statement about humanity. Other parts of the Bible and other theological perspectives offer different, more hopeful views.
In summary, Job 15:14 expresses a bleak outlook on human nature, suggesting that humanity is fundamentally flawed and incapable of achieving true purity or righteousness on its own. It's a statement made within the context of a larger debate about suffering, sin, and the nature of God.