Old Testament
Job 25:4
Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.
How then can man be justified with God? Or how can he be clean who is born of a woman?
Compare translations
How then can man be justified with God? or how can he be clean that is born of a woman?
What Job 25:4 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, Job's friend Bildad is questioning the possibility of a human being justified or made right before God. He emphasizes the inherent sinfulness of humanity, suggesting that since all humans are born of a woman, they carry the stain of sin. The rhetorical questions highlight the vast gap between God's holiness and human imperfection. Bildad implies that no one can achieve righteousness on their own, pointing to the need for divine intervention for justification. This reflects a common theme in the Bible about the nature of humanity and the necessity of grace for salvation. The verse serves as a reminder of the limitations of human effort in attaining purity and righteousness before a perfect God, emphasizing the need for humility and reliance on God's mercy.
How to apply Job 25:4 to your life
This verse encourages us to recognize our limitations and the need for God's grace in our lives. It reminds us that we cannot achieve righteousness through our own efforts. Instead, we should seek a relationship with God, acknowledging our imperfections and relying on His mercy for justification and cleansing.
Curated for this public verse page. Job Summary
Explore more of the Bible
Learn the Bible through its people and places
Get to know the people in Scripture through illustrated stories, and explore the places where they lived and traveled.
Illustrated scene from David's story: Samuel Anoints David (1 Samuel 16:1–13)
Meet the people of the Bible
Follow their lives in order, with illustrated scenes and Bible passages that tell their stories.
David
Photo: Photochrom print, Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division (LCCN 2002724987). License: Public domain in the United States; Library of Congress states no known restrictions on publication. Source. Location: Hebron, West Bank; print preserved by the Library of Congress. Resized for the web.
Explore the places of the Bible
See where biblical events happened, why each place matters, and what archaeology helps us understand.
Hebron
Where Abraham lived and buried Sarah, and where David was first made king.
Get full access with one subscription
Explore the people and places of the Bible. Read summaries of every book, with images and clear explanations covering every chapter. Access all these features and our Bible study tools with one subscription.
See PlansAsk AI about Job 25:4
Ask a question about this verse and get a clear answer, with Bible references you can read for yourself.
Every Bible book, explained chapter by chapter
Explore summaries of every book of the Bible, with images and easy-to-understand explanations covering every chapter.
Keep studying Job 25:4
Related Bible verses
Key themes
Related topics
At a Glance — the Book of Job
- Author
- Author unknown; events likely in the patriarchal era
- Written
- Date debated
- Genre
- Wisdom literature
- Original Audience
- All who suffer or question God
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Job 25:4 mean about human justification?
Job 25:4 raises the question of how a sinful human can be justified before a holy God. Bildad, Job's friend, suggests that since all humans are born of a woman, they inherit sinfulness, making it impossible to be clean or righteous on their own. This verse emphasizes the need for divine intervention and grace for true justification.
How does Job 25:4 relate to the concept of sin?
In Job 25:4, the rhetorical questions highlight the inherent sinfulness of humanity. Bildad implies that because all humans are born of a woman, they carry the stain of sin, which creates a barrier between them and God's holiness. This verse serves as a reminder of the universal nature of sin and the need for redemption.
What is the significance of being 'born of a woman' in this verse?
The phrase 'born of a woman' in Job 25:4 signifies the shared human condition of sinfulness. It underscores the idea that all people, regardless of their status or actions, are born into a fallen state. This highlights the need for humility and the understanding that no one can achieve righteousness without God's grace.
How can we apply Job 25:4 to our lives today?
Job 25:4 encourages us to recognize our limitations and the necessity of God's grace. It reminds us that we cannot attain righteousness through our own efforts. Instead, we should seek a relationship with God, acknowledging our imperfections and relying on His mercy for justification and cleansing.
Daily Verse — straight to your inbox
A verse and a 2-sentence plain-English explanation, every morning. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.