Job 25:4-6

4 How then can man be 1in the right before God? How can he who is 2born of woman be 3pure?
5 Behold, even the moon is not bright, and the stars are not pure in his eyes;
6 4how much less man, who is 5a maggot, and 6the son of man, who is a worm!"

Job 25:4-6 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JOB 25

This chapter contains Bildad's reply to Job, such an one as it is; in which, declining the controversy between them, he endeavours to dissuade him from attempting to lay his cause before God, and think to justify himself before him, from the consideration of the majesty of God, described by the dominion he is possessed of; the fear creatures stand in of him; the peace he makes in his high places; the number of his armies, and the vast extent of his light, Job 25:1-3; and from the impossibility of man's being justified with him, or clean before him, argued from thence, Job 25:4; and which is further illustrated by a comparison of the celestial bodies with men, and by an argument from the greater to the less, that if they lose their lustre and purity in his sight, much more man, a mean despicable worm, Job 25:5,6.

Cross References 6

  • 1. Job 4:17-19; Job 9:2; Job 15:14-16; Psalms 130:3; Psalms 143:2
  • 2. See Job 14:1
  • 3. Job 14:4
  • 4. Job 9:14; Job 15:16
  • 5. Psalms 22:6; Isaiah 41:14
  • 6. Job 35:8
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.