Job 4:17

Mortal man. Heb. ’enosh. The two English words translate a single Hebrew word. ’Enosh means simply “man” or “mankind.” It is translated “man” 31 times, “men” 7 times, “another” once, and in connection with other nouns, “familiar” once, and “stranger” once. Only here is it translated with the descriptive adjective “mortal.” The translation is interpretative in that it supplies an adjective where the original has none.

The interpretation is selective because it chooses one of the many attributes of the human family, each of which would have equal validity if an adjective needed to be supplied. Such, however, is not essential. The text, therefore, does not lend support to the doctrine of the mortality of man. However, the clear proof of man’s mortality is found in numerous scriptures (1 Tim. 1:17; 6:16; etc.).

It is possible that the translation “mortal man” has come to us through the medium of the LXX. In Job 4:17 that version translates ’enosh by brotos, which properly means “mortal man.” However, the LXX has brotos also in chs. 9:2; 10:4; 15:14; 25:4; 28:4, 13; 32:8; 33:12; 36:25; in none of which the KJV renders ’enosh as “mortal man.”

Furthermore, the LXX does not consistently translate ’enosh by brotos, even in the book of Job (see the LXX of chs. 5:17; 7:1, 17; 10:5; 14:19; 25:6; 33:26).

More just. Many translators render this verse, “Can a mortal man be righteous before God? Can a man be pure before his Maker?” The Hebrew allows either translation. The use of “before” rather than “more than” seems to strengthen the meaning of the verse.

Not only is man unable to surpass God in righteousness and purity; he actually is unable to be just and pure in the sight of God.

Mortal man. Hebrew ’enosh. The two English words translate a single Hebrew word. ’Enosh means simply “man” or “mankind.” It is translated “man” 31 times, “men” 7 times, “another” once, and in connection with other nouns, “familiar” once, and “stranger” once. Only here is it translated with the descriptive adjective “mortal.” The translation is interpretative in that it supplies an adjective where the original has none.

The interpretation is selective because it chooses one of the many attributes of the human family, each of which would have equal validity if an adjective needed to be supplied. Such, however, is not essential. The text, therefore, does not lend support to the doctrine of the mortality of man. However, the clear proof of man’s mortality is found in numerous scriptures (1 Timothy 1:17; 6:16; etc.).

It is possible that the translation “mortal man” has come to us through the medium of the LXX. In Job 4:17 that version translates ’enosh by brotos, which properly means “mortal man.” However, the LXX has brotos also in chapters 9:2; 10:4; 15:14; 25:4, 13; 28:4, 13; 32:8; 33:12; 36:25; in none of which the KJV renders ’enosh as “mortal man.”

Furthermore, the LXX does not consistently translate ’enosh by brotos, even in the book of Job (see the LXX of chapters 5:17; 7:1, 17; 10:5; 14:19; 25:6; 33:26).

More just. Many translators render this verse, “Can a mortal man be righteous before God? Can a man be pure before his Maker?” The Hebrew allows either translation. The use of “before” rather than “more than” seems to strengthen the meaning of the verse.

Not only is man unable to surpass God in righteousness and purity; he actually is unable to be just and pure in the sight of God.