Job 25:6 (KJV)

What does Job 25:6 mean?

Job 25:6 describes how small and insignificant human beings are compared to God, calling man a "worm" and the "son of man" a "worm" as well. The verse uses strong language to highlight human frailty and lowliness in the face of God's greatness and purity.

In this verse, Bildad the Shuhite is speaking to Job during their debate about suffering and justice. Bildad is making the point that if even the heavens are not pure before God, then humans—who are weak and mortal—are even less so. The verse uses vivid imagery to stress how far people fall short of God's perfection, fitting into Bildad’s argument that no one can be righteous before God.

The Hebrew behind Job 25:6

• The first "man" uses אֱנוֹשׁ (enosh), which often refers to humanity in its weakness or mortality. This choice of word emphasizes frailty.
• The first "worm" uses רִמָּה (rimmah), which refers to a maggot or decaying worm, highlighting the idea of corruption or decay.
• "Son" uses בֵּן (ben), the usual word for "son," here meaning "descendant" or "child of."
• The second "man" uses אָדָם (adam), the general term for mankind or humanity, connecting back to the creation of humans.
• The second "worm" uses תּוֹלֵעָה (tola‘a), a different word for worm, sometimes used for a crimson worm, but still carrying the sense of something lowly and insignificant. The use of two different words for "worm" adds depth to the image, suggesting both decay and insignificance.

Why Job 25:6 matters

• Job 25:6 clears up that Bildad is not just calling people sinful, but is stressing their utter smallness and unworthiness compared to God, using two different Hebrew words for "worm" to deepen the point.
• The verse ties into the larger argument in Job about whether anyone can be truly righteous before God, showing how Job’s friends view human nature.
• Understanding the original words helps reveal how the imagery is meant to humble the listener, not just insult, and sets up the contrast between God’s purity and human frailty.