CLAY on the other hand is soft, pliable and impressionable while wet and fragile when dried. Adam was formed of dust made into clay (for a definitive study see Man of Dust or Clay ).

Yahweh God formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. Genesis 2:7

6083 `aphar aw-fawr' from 6080; dust (as powdered or gray); hence, clay, earth, mud:--ashes, dust, earth, ground, morter, powder, rubbish.

Remember, I beseech thee, that thou hast made me as the clay; and wilt thou bring me into dust again? Job 10:9

... I am also formed out of the clay. Job 33:6

To be sure we interpret this vision accurately, Daniel tells us it was "potters' clay".

And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potters' clay, and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay [not hardened clay, ed.]. Daniel 2:41

But now, Yahweh, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you our potter; and we all are the work of your hand. Isaiah 64:8

The precious sons of Zion, comparable to fine gold, how are they esteemed as earthen pitchers, the work of the hands of the potter! Lamentations 4:2

The inspired Word NEVER uses clay to represent unbending governments - metals and beasts are used to represent governments. Man is consistently represented as clay, especially Yahweh's people, and especially formed into an item of pottery by our Father, the potter.