Did not he who made me in the womb make him? And did not one fashion us in the womb?
English Standard Version (ESV)
Job is highlighting that the shared humanity of master and servant, their equal creation by God in the womb, means they possess the same inherent dignity. This isn't just about avoiding mistreatment; it's about recognizing a fundamental equality that predates any social hierarchy.
Did not he who made me in the womb make him? And did not one fashion us in the womb?
English Standard Version (ESV)
Job is continuing his solemn oath, detailing his blameless conduct in various areas of life to prove his innocence before God. Here, he addresses his treatment of servants, arguing that their shared humanity and divine creation in the womb demanded respect, making any mistreatment a profound offense against their common Maker. This reflection on equality before God underpins his defense against accusations of wrongdoing.
In a world that loves to draw lines and create divisions, Job reminds us of a radical truth. What foundational reality about us did God build into our very beginnings?
Job grounds his defense against accusations of mistreating his servants in the incredible fact of a shared origin. He asks, 'Did not he who made me in the womb make him?'
Job isn't just stating a fact about creation; he's building a case for how we ought to live. What does this shared origin demand of us in our dealings with others?
Job's rhetorical questions aren't just about divine craftsmanship; they are the foundation for ethical behavior, particularly concerning justice and compassion.
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Understand the original words
asah · Hebrew Verb
The act of creating, forming, or producing. Biblically, it emphasizes God as the sovereign Author of life, who intimately designs human beings from conception.
kun · Hebrew Verb
The act of shaping, molding, or creating with intentional design. It signifies the purposeful work of God in the creation of human life, implying that all humans share a common divine origin.
Job's profound ethical reflection in this verse, emphasizing the shared humanity and common Creator of masters and servants, likely drew on ancient wisdom traditions and perhaps echoes themes later formalized in Deuteronomy, highlighting a radical concept of justice for his time.
c. 21st - 17th century BC
Patriarchal Period of Abrahamic Faith
This era in ancient Near Eastern history marks the lives of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the ancestors of Israel. Their lives, characterized by nomadic pastoralism, covenant relationships with God, and a developing understanding of law and justice, form the backdrop for the wisdom literature like the Book of Job.
c. 11th - 9th century BC
The United Monarchy and Divided Kingdoms
This period saw the establishment and subsequent division of the Israelite kingdom under Saul, David, and Solomon, followed by the split into Israel (north) and Judah (south). The social structures and legal traditions, including those concerning servants and justice, were developing during this time.
c. 9th century BC
Flourishing of Wisdom Literature
The wisdom tradition, which includes works like Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Job, developed and was likely compiled during this era. These texts explored profound questions of life, morality, justice, and the fear of God, often through poetic discourse and ethical reflection.
c. 9th - 7th century BC— this verse
Job's Affliction and Lament
The Book of Job centers on the righteous man Job, who suffers immense loss and physical affliction. The narrative unfolds through dialogues with his friends, where Job grapples with his suffering and defends his integrity against their accusations, culminating in this statement of his ethical principles.
c. 622 BC
Josiah's Reforms and Deuteronomy Rediscovered
The discovery of the Book of Deuteronomy and the subsequent religious reforms under King Josiah in Judah significantly shaped Israelite understanding of justice, covenant, and the treatment of all people, including the vulnerable, reinforcing the concept of a common humanity before God.
This passage directly echoes Job's sentiment, asking 'Have we not all one Father? Hath not one God created us?' highlighting a shared divine origin for all humanity, regardless of social standing.
Acts 17:26Paul's speech in Athens emphasizes that God 'made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth,' reinforcing the idea of a common ancestry and shared humanity that transcends divisions.
Ephesians 6:9This verse instructs masters to treat their slaves justly and fairly, directly referencing the principle that 'their Master also is in heaven, and there is no favoritness with him,' mirroring Job's conviction about a divine judge who sees all equally.
Genesis 1:27The creation account establishes that humans are made in God's image, underscoring an inherent dignity and value in every person, which Job leverages to argue for the respectful treatment of all, including servants.
clarkeJob 31:15: "Did not he that made me in the womb make him? and did not one fashion us in the womb?"
Did not he that made me - make him? - I know that God is the Judge of all; that all shall appear before him in that state where the king and his subject, the master and his slave, shall be on an equal footing, all civil distinctions being abolished for ever. If, then I had treated my slaves with injustice, how could I stand before the judgment-seat of God? I have treated others as I wish to be tre…
jfbJob 31:15: "Did not he that made me in the womb make him? and did not one fashion us in the womb?"
- Slaveholders try to defend themselves by maintaining the original inferiority of the slave. But Mal 2:10; Ac 17:26; Eph 6:9 make the common origin of masters and servants the argument for brotherly love being shown by the former to the latter.
Job is highlighting that the shared humanity of master and servant, their equal creation by God in the womb, means they possess the same inherent dignity. This isn't just about avoiding mistreatment; it's about recognizing a fundamental equality that predates any social hierarchy.
Job is continuing his solemn oath, detailing his blameless conduct in various areas of life to prove his innocence before God. Here, he addresses his treatment of servants, arguing that their shared humanity and divine creation in the womb demanded respect, making any mistreatment a profound offense against their common Maker. This reflection on equality before God underpins his defense against accusations of wrongdoing.
Job is continuing his solemn oath, detailing his blameless conduct in various areas of life to prove his innocence before God. Here, he addresses his treatment of servants, arguing that their shared humanity and divine creation in the womb demanded respect, making any mistreatment a profound offense against their common Maker. This reflection on equality before God underpins his defense against accusations of wrongdoing.
"Did not he who made me in the womb make him? And did not one fashion us in the womb?" — Job is highlighting that the shared humanity of master and servant, their equal creation by God in the womb, means they possess the same inherent dignity. This isn't just about avoiding mistreatment;…
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Last reviewed October 2026