Translations
F.O.G.MPrimary
F.O.G Message"how much more those who live in houses of clay, whose foundation is the dust, crushed more easily than a moth!"
F.O.GSecondary
The F.O.G"how much more those who dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust — crushed before the moth!"
KJV
King James VersionHow much less in them that dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, which are crushed before the moth?
BSB
Berean Standard Biblehow much more those who dwell in houses of clay, whose foundations are in the dust, who can be crushed like a moth!
Footnotes
*Batei-chomer* (בָּתֵּי-חֹמֶר), 'houses of clay,' is a piercing image for the human body — a clay dwelling housing temporary breath. It consciously echoes Genesis 2:7 (humanity formed from *adamah*, the ground) and anticipates the New Testament's 'earthen vessels' and 'tent' language (2 Cor. 4:7; 5:1). The moth (*ash*, עָשׁ) is the emblem of silent, irresistible destruction — not a lion but a thread-devouring insect that leaves nothing. The contrast between celestial dignity (v.18) and moth-crushed clay could not be more deflating. FOG preserves 'before the moth' with its almost absurdist force; FOG Message unpacks the comparison slightly for clarity.
