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Book of Job - Chapter 9 - Verse 30

9:30
If I wash myself with snow water, and make my hands never so clean;

Meaning

This verse, found in the book of Job, is a metaphor that highlights the futility of trying to achieve perfection through one's own efforts. The act of washing oneself with snow water and making one's hands extremely clean symbolizes a person's attempt to attain purity and righteousness through external actions. However, the verse suggests that no matter how meticulously one cleanses themselves, they can never achieve true purity on their own. This verse serves as a reminder that true righteousness and cleanliness come from within, through one's heart and intentions, rather than through external actions alone. It emphasizes the importance of humility and recognizing our own limitations, as well as the need for divine grace and forgiveness in order to attain true purity and righteousness in the eyes of God.

Theological Overview

In this verse, the speaker is expressing a desire for purity and cleanliness. The phrase "wash myself with snow water" alludes to the idea of using the purest form of water possible to cleanse oneself. Snow water is considered clean and untouched, symbolizing the longing for a complete purification. The following statement "make my hands never so clean" further emphasizes the speaker's desire for immaculateness. The repetition of the idea of cleanliness through both washing and making one's hands clean underscores the importance of purity in the speaker's mind. This verse can be interpreted theologically as a reflection on the human desire for spiritual purity and the acknowledgment of one's own shortcomings. It can also signify the longing for redemption and forgiveness from sins. Through this verse, one may reflect on the need for constant purification and the awareness of our own capacity for moral imperfection.

American Standard Version

If I wash myself with snow water, And make my hands never so clean;
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