Definition: How then can man be justified with God? or how can he be clean [that is] born of a woman?

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from Job 25:4. It's a really thought-provoking and complex verse that gets at some fundamental questions about sin, righteousness, and the nature of God. Here’s an explanation in simpler terms: The Core Idea: This verse is asking why humans are capable of receiving God’s grace (blessing) or being born into a human family – essentially, being created in God’s image. It's raising a challenging question about the relationship between humanity and divinity. Let's unpack it piece by piece: “How then can man be justified with God?” This is the big question. Traditionally, justification means proving your worthiness to God through good deeds and adherence to His laws. It’s about earning God’s favor. “or how can he be clean [that is] born of a woman?” This is where it gets really layered. "Clean" in this context doesn't mean perfectly pure or morally flawless. Instead, it refers to being created by God – specifically, being born from a female. Here’s what the verse implies: Job was experiencing a profound crisis of faith. He was questioning if humanity, with its inherent flaws and capacity for sin, could ever truly earn God’s favor or be considered worthy of eternal life. The verse suggests that because humans are created by God, they cannot achieve perfect righteousness through their own efforts. Different Interpretations & Why it's Still Relevant: This passage has been interpreted in a few ways throughout history: A Challenge to Human Pride: Some scholars argue that the verse is a subtle challenge to human pride and the belief that we can somehow earn God’s favor through our accomplishments or earthly possessions. It implies that true righteousness comes from a deeper, spiritual connection with God. The Nature of Creation: It also hints at the inherent difference between humanity and the divine – that humans are made in God's image, but not perfect representations of Him. Important Note: This passage is part of a larger story about Job’s suffering and his questioning of faith. It doesn’t offer a simple answer to the question of human worthiness. Instead, it highlights a fundamental tension between our understanding of ourselves and God's nature. --- Resources for Further Exploration: Bible Gateway: [https://biblegateway.com/definition/Job%3A4%3A1](https://biblegateway.com/definition/Job%3A4%3A1) Insights Bible: [https://insightsbiblestore.com/job-25-4/](https://insightsbiblestore.com/job-25-4/) Do you want me to: Explain a different aspect of this verse? (e.g., its historical context?) Explore the theological implications in more detail?