1 And Job answered and said,
2 No doubt but ye are the people, and wisdom shall die with you.
3 But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you: yea, who knoweth not such things as these?
4 I am as one mocked of his neighbour, who calleth upon God, and he answereth him: the just upright man is laughed to scorn.
5 He that is ready to slip with his feet is as a lamp despised in the thought of him that is at ease.
6 The tabernacles of robbers prosper, and they that provoke God are secure; into whose hand God bringeth abundantly.
7 But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee:
8 Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee: and the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee.
9 Who knoweth not in all these that the hand of the LORD hath wrought this?
10 In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind.
11 Doth not the ear try words? and the mouth taste his meat?
12 With the ancient is wisdom; and in length of days understanding.
13 With him is wisdom and strength, he hath counsel and understanding.
14 Behold, he breaketh down, and it cannot be built again: he shutteth up a man, and there can be no opening.
15 Behold, he withholdeth the waters, and they dry up: also he sendeth them out, and they overturn the earth.
16 With him is strength and wisdom: the deceived and the deceiver are his.
17 He leadeth counsellors away spoiled, and maketh the judges fools.
18 He looseth the bond of kings, and girdeth their loins with a girdle.
19 He leadeth princes away spoiled, and overthroweth the mighty.
20 He removeth away the speech of the trusty, and taketh away the understanding of the aged.
21 He poureth contempt upon princes, and weakeneth the strength of the mighty.
22 He discovereth deep things out of darkness, and bringeth out to light the shadow of death.
23 He increaseth the nations, and destroyeth them: he enlargeth the nations, and straiteneth them again.
24 He taketh away the heart of the chief of the people of the earth, and causeth them to wander in a wilderness where there is no way.
25 They grope in the dark without light, and he maketh them to stagger like a drunken man.
1 And Job H347 answered H6030 and said, H559
2 No doubt H551 but ye are the people, H5971 and wisdom H2451 shall die H4191 with you.
3 But H1571 I have understanding H3824 as well as you; I am not inferior H5307 to you: yea, who knoweth not such things H3644 as these?
4 I am as one mocked H7814 of his neighbour, H7453 who calleth H7121 upon God, H433 and he answereth H6030 him: the just H6662 upright H8549 man is laughed to scorn. H7814
5 He that is ready H3559 to slip H4571 with his feet H7272 is as a lamp H3940 despised H937 in the thought H6248 of him that is at ease. H7600
6 The tabernacles H168 of robbers H7703 prosper, H7951 and they that provoke H7264 God H410 are secure; H987 into whose hand H3027 God H433 bringeth H935 abundantly.
7 But H199 ask H7592 now the beasts, H929 and they shall teach H3384 thee; and the fowls H5775 of the air, H8064 and they shall tell H5046 thee:
8 Or speak H7878 to the earth, H776 and it shall teach H3384 thee: and the fishes H1709 of the sea H3220 shall declare H5608 unto thee.
9 Who knoweth H3045 not in all these that the hand H3027 of the LORD H3068 hath wrought H6213 this?
10 In whose hand H3027 is the soul H5315 of every living thing, H2416 and the breath H7307 of all mankind. H376 H1320
11 Doth not the ear H241 try H974 words? H4405 and the mouth H2441 taste H2938 his meat? H400
12 With the ancient H3453 is wisdom; H2451 and in length H753 of days H3117 understanding. H8394
13 With him is wisdom H2451 and strength, H1369 he hath counsel H6098 and understanding. H8394
14 Behold, he breaketh down, H2040 and it cannot be built again: H1129 he shutteth up H5462 a man, H376 and there can be no opening. H6605
15 Behold, he withholdeth H6113 the waters, H4325 and they dry up: H3001 also he sendeth them out, H7971 and they overturn H2015 the earth. H776
16 With him is strength H5797 and wisdom: H8454 the deceived H7683 and the deceiver H7686 are his.
17 He leadeth H3212 counsellors H3289 away spoiled, H7758 and maketh the judges H8199 fools. H1984
18 He looseth H6605 the bond H4148 of kings, H4428 and girdeth H631 their loins H4975 with a girdle. H232
19 He leadeth H3212 princes H3548 away spoiled, H7758 and overthroweth H5557 the mighty. H386
20 He removeth away H5493 the speech H8193 of the trusty, H539 and taketh away H3947 the understanding H2940 of the aged. H2205
21 He poureth H8210 contempt H937 upon princes, H5081 and weakeneth H7503 the strength H4206 of the mighty. H650
22 He discovereth H1540 deep things H6013 out of darkness, H2822 and bringeth out H3318 to light H216 the shadow of death. H6757
23 He increaseth H7679 the nations, H1471 and destroyeth H6 them: he enlargeth H7849 the nations, H1471 and straiteneth H5148 them again.
24 He taketh away H5493 the heart H3820 of the chief H7218 of the people H5971 of the earth, H776 and causeth them to wander H8582 in a wilderness H8414 where there is no way. H1870
25 They grope H4959 in the dark H2822 without light, H216 and he maketh them to stagger H8582 like a drunken H7910 man.
1 Then Job answered and said,
2 No doubt but ye are the people, And wisdom shall die with you.
3 But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you: Yea, who knoweth not such things as these?
4 I am as one that is a laughing-stock to his neighbor, I who called upon God, and he answered: The just, the perfect man is a laughing-stock.
5 In the thought of him that is at ease there is contempt for misfortune; It is ready for them whose foot slippeth.
6 The tents of robbers prosper, And they that provoke God are secure; Into whose hand God bringeth `abundantly'.
7 But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; And the birds of the heavens, and they shall tell thee:
8 Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee; And the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee.
9 Who knoweth not in all these, That the hand of Jehovah hath wrought this,
10 In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, And the breath of all mankind?
11 Doth not the ear try words, Even as the palate tasteth its food?
12 With aged men is wisdom, And in length of days understanding.
13 With `God' is wisdom and might; He hath counsel and understanding.
14 Behold, he breaketh down, and it cannot be built again; He shutteth up a man, and there can be no opening.
15 Behold, he withholdeth the waters, and they dry up; Again, he sendeth them out, and they overturn the earth.
16 With him is strength and wisdom; The deceived and the deceiver are his.
17 He leadeth counsellors away stripped, And judges maketh he fools.
18 He looseth the bond of kings, And he bindeth their loins with a girdle.
19 He leadeth priests away stripped, And overthroweth the mighty.
20 He removeth the speech of the trusty, And taketh away the understanding of the elders.
21 He poureth contempt upon princes, And looseth the belt of the strong.
22 He uncovereth deep things out of darkness, And bringeth out to light the shadow of death.
23 He increaseth the nations, and he destroyeth them: He enlargeth the nations, and he leadeth them captive.
24 He taketh away understanding from the chiefs of the people of the earth, And causeth them to wander in a wilderness where there is no way.
25 They grope in the dark without light; And he maketh them to stagger like a drunken man.
1 And Job answereth and saith: --
2 Truly -- ye `are' the people, And with you doth wisdom die.
3 I also have a heart like you, I am not fallen more than you, And with whom is there not like these?
4 A laughter to his friend I am: `He calleth to God, and He answereth him,' A laughter `is' the perfect righteous one.
5 A torch -- despised in the thoughts of the secure Is prepared for those sliding with the feet.
6 At peace are the tents of spoilers, And those provoking God have confidence, He into whose hand God hath brought.
7 And yet, ask, I pray thee, `One of' the beasts, and it doth shew thee, And a fowl of the heavens, And it doth declare to thee.
8 Or talk to the earth, and it sheweth thee, And fishes of the sea recount to thee:
9 `Who hath not known in all these, That the hand of Jehovah hath done this?
10 In whose hand `is' the breath of every living thing, And the spirit of all flesh of man.'
11 Doth not the ear try words? And the palate taste food for itself?
12 With the very aged `is' wisdom, And `with' length of days understanding.
13 With Him `are' wisdom and might, To him `are' counsel and understanding.
14 Lo, He breaketh down, and it is not built up, He shutteth against a man, And it is not opened.
15 Lo, He keepeth in the waters, and they are dried up, And he sendeth them forth, And they overturn the land.
16 With Him `are' strength and wisdom, His the deceived and deceiver.
17 Causing counsellors to go away a spoil, And judges He maketh foolish.
18 The bands of kings He hath opened, And He bindeth a girdle on their loins.
19 Causing ministers to go away a spoil And strong ones He overthroweth.
20 Turning aside the lip of the stedfast, And the reason of the aged He taketh away.
21 Pouring contempt upon princes, And the girdle of the mighty He made feeble.
22 Removing deep things out of darkness, And He bringeth out to light death-shade.
23 Magnifying the nations, and He destroyeth them, Spreading out the nations, and He quieteth them.
24 Turning aside the heart Of the heads of the people of the land, And he causeth them to wander In vacancy -- no way!
25 They feel darkness, and not light, He causeth them to wander as a drunkard.
1 And Job answered and said,
2 Truly ye are the people, and wisdom shall die with you!
3 I also have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you; and who knoweth not such things as these?
4 I am to be one that is a derision to his friend, I who call upon +God, and whom he will answer: a derision is the just upright [man].
5 He that is ready to stumble with the foot is a lamp despised in the thought of him that is at ease.
6 The tents of desolators are in peace, and they that provoke ùGod are secure; into whose hand +God bringeth.
7 But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; and the fowl of the heavens, and they shall tell thee;
8 Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee; and the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee.
9 Who knoweth not in all these, that the hand of Jehovah hath wrought this?
10 In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the spirit of all flesh of man.
11 Doth not the ear try words, as the palate tasteth food?
12 With the aged is wisdom, and in length of days understanding.
13 With him is wisdom and might; he hath counsel and understanding.
14 Behold, he breaketh down, and it is not built again; he shutteth up a man, and there is no opening.
15 Behold, he withholdeth the waters, and they dry up; and he sendeth them out, and they overturn the earth.
16 With him is strength and effectual knowledge; the deceived and the deceiver are his.
17 He leadeth counsellors away spoiled, and judges maketh he fools;
18 He weakeneth the government of kings, and bindeth their loins with a fetter;
19 He leadeth priests away spoiled, and overthroweth the mighty;
20 He depriveth of speech the trusty, and taketh away the judgment of the elders;
21 He poureth contempt upon nobles, and slackeneth the girdle of the mighty;
22 He discovereth deep things out of darkness, and bringeth out into light the shadow of death;
23 He increaseth the nations, and destroyeth them; he spreadeth out the nations, and bringeth them in;
24 He taketh away the understanding of the chiefs of the people of the earth, and causeth them to wander in a pathless waste.
25 They grope in the dark without light, and he maketh them to stagger like a drunkard.
1 Then Job answered,
2 "No doubt, but you are the people, And wisdom shall die with you.
3 But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you: Yes, who doesn't know such things as these?
4 I am like one who is a joke to his neighbor, I, who called on God, and he answered. The just, the blameless man is a joke.
5 In the thought of him who is at ease there is contempt for misfortune, It is ready for them whose foot slips.
6 The tents of robbers prosper, Those who provoke God are secure; Who carry their God in their hands.
7 "But ask the animals, now, and they shall teach you; The birds of the sky, and they shall tell you.
8 Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach you; The fish of the sea shall declare to you.
9 Who doesn't know that in all these, The hand of Yahweh has done this,
10 In whose hand is the life of every living thing, The breath of all mankind?
11 Doesn't the ear try words, Even as the palate tastes its food?
12 With aged men is wisdom, In length of days understanding.
13 "With God is wisdom and might. He has counsel and understanding.
14 Behold, he breaks down, and it can't be built again; He imprisons a man, and there can be no release.
15 Behold, he withholds the waters, and they dry up; Again, he sends them out, and they overturn the earth.
16 With him is strength and wisdom; The deceived and the deceiver are his.
17 He leads counselors away stripped. He makes judges fools.
18 He loosens the bond of kings, He binds their loins with a belt.
19 He leads priests away stripped, And overthrows the mighty.
20 He removes the speech of those who are trusted, And takes away the understanding of the elders.
21 He pours contempt on princes, And loosens the belt of the strong.
22 He uncovers deep things out of darkness, And brings out to light the shadow of death.
23 He increases the nations, and he destroys them. He enlarges the nations, and he leads them captive.
24 He takes away understanding from the chiefs of the people of the earth, And causes them to wander in a wilderness where there is no way.
25 They grope in the dark without light. He makes them stagger like a drunken man.
1 And Job made answer and said,
2 No doubt you have knowledge, and wisdom will come to an end with you.
3 But I have a mind as well as you; I am equal to you: yes, who has not knowledge of such things as these?
4 It seems that I am to be as one who is a cause of laughing to his neighbour, one who makes his prayer to God and is answered! the upright man who has done no wrong is to be made sport of!
5 In the thought of him who is in comfort there is no respect for one who is in trouble; such is the fate of those whose feet are slipping.
6 There is wealth in the tents of those who make destruction, and those by whom God is moved to wrath are safe; even those whose god is their strength.
7 But put now a question to the beasts, and get teaching from them; or to the birds of the heaven, and they will make it clear to you;
8 Or to the things which go flat on the earth, and they will give you wisdom; and the fishes of the sea will give you news of it.
9 Who does not see by all these that the hand of the Lord has done this?
10 In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all flesh of man.
11 Are not words tested by the ear, even as food is tasted by the mouth?
12 Old men have wisdom, and a long life gives knowledge.
13 With him there is wisdom and strength; power and knowledge are his.
14 Truly, there is no building up of what is pulled down by him; when a man is shut up by him, no one may let him loose.
15 Truly, he keeps back the waters and they are dry; he sends them out and the earth is overturned.
16 With him are strength and wise designs; he who is guided into error, together with his guide, are in his hands;
17 He takes away the wisdom of the wise guides, and makes judges foolish;
18 He undoes the chains of kings, and puts his band on them;
19 He makes priests prisoners, overturning those in safe positions;
20 He makes the words of responsible persons without effect, and takes away the good sense of the old;
21 He puts shame on chiefs, and takes away the power of the strong;
22 Uncovering deep things out of the dark, and making the deep shade bright;
23 Increasing nations, and sending destruction on them; making wide the lands of peoples, and then giving them up.
24 He takes away the wisdom of the rulers of the earth, and sends them wandering in a waste where there is no way.
25 They go feeling about in the dark without light, wandering without help like those overcome with wine.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Job 12
Commentary on Job 12 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 12
FIRST SERIES.
Job 12:1-14:22. Job's Reply to Zophar
2. wisdom shall die with you—Ironical, as if all the wisdom in the world was concentrated in them and would expire when they expired. Wisdom makes "a people:" a foolish nation is "not a people" (Ro 10:19).
3. not inferior—not vanquished in argument and "wisdom" (Job 13:2).
such things as these—such commonplace maxims as you so pompously adduce.
4. The unfounded accusations of Job's friends were a "mockery" of him. He alludes to Zophar's word, "mockest" (Job 11:3).
neighbour, who calleth, &c.—rather, "I who call upon God that he may answer me favorably" [Umbreit].
5. Rather, "a torch" (lamp) is an object of contempt in the thoughts of him who rests securely (is at ease), though it was prepared for the falterings of the feet [Umbreit] (Pr 25:19). "Thoughts" and "feet" are in contrast; also rests "securely," and "falterings." The wanderer, arrived at his night-quarters, contemptuously throws aside the torch which had guided his uncertain steps through the darkness. As the torch is to the wanderer, so Job to his friends. Once they gladly used his aid in their need; now they in prosperity mock him in his need.
6. Job shows that the matter of fact opposes Zophar's theory (Job 11:14, 19, 20) that wickedness causes insecurity in men's "tabernacles." On the contrary, they who rob the "tabernacles" ("dwellings") of others "prosper securely" in their own.
into whose hand, &c.—rather, "who make a god of their own hand," that is, who regard their might as their only ruling principle [Umbreit].
7, 8. Beasts, birds, fishes, and plants, reasons Job, teach that the violent live the most securely (Job 12:6). The vulture lives more securely than the dove, the lion than the ox, the shark than the dolphin, the rose than the thorn which tears it.
8. speak to the earth—rather, "the shrubs of the earth" [Umbreit].
9. In all these cases, says Job, the agency must be referred to Jehovah, though they may seem to man to imply imperfection (Job 12:6; 9:24). This is the only undisputed passage of the poetical part in which the name "Jehovah" occurs; in the historical parts it occurs frequently.
10. the soul—that is, the animal life. Man, reasons Job, is subjected to the same laws as the lower animals.
11. As the mouth by tasting meats selects what pleases it, so the ear tries the words of others and retains what is convincing. Each chooses according to his taste. The connection with Job 12:12 is in reference to Bildad's appeal to the "ancients" (Job 8:8). You are right in appealing to them, since "with them was wisdom," &c. But you select such proverbs of theirs as suit your views; so I may borrow from the same such as suit mine.
12. ancient—aged (Job 15:10).
13. In contrast to, "with the ancient is wisdom" (Job 12:12), Job quotes a saying of the ancients which suits his argument, "with Him (God) is (the true) wisdom" (Pr 8:14); and by that "wisdom and strength" "He breaketh down," &c., as an absolute Sovereign, not allowing man to penetrate His mysteries; man's part is to bow to His unchangeable decrees (Job 1:21). The Mohammedan saying is, "if God will, and how God will."
14. shutteth up—(Isa 22:22). Job refers to Zophar's "shut up" (Job 11:10).
15. Probably alluding to the flood.
16. (Eze 14:9).
18. He looseth the bond of kings—He looseth the authority of kings—the "bond" with which they bind their subjects (Isa 45:1; Ge 14:4; Da 2:21).
a girdle—the cord, with which they are bound as captives, instead of the royal "girdle" they once wore (Isa 22:21), and the bond they once bound others with. So "gird"—put on one the bonds of a prisoner instead of the ordinary girdle (Joh 21:18).
19. princes—rather, "priests," as the Hebrew is rendered (Ps 99:6). Even the sacred ministers of religion are not exempt from reverses and captivity.
the mighty—rather, "the firm-rooted in power"; the Arabic root expresses ever-flowing water [Umbreit].
20. the trusty—rather, "those secure in their eloquence"; for example, the speakers in the gate (Isa 3:3) [Beza].
understanding—literally, "taste," that is, insight or spiritual discernment, which experience gives the aged. The same Hebrew word is applied to Daniel's wisdom in interpretation (Da 2:14).
21. Ps 107:40 quotes, in its first clause, this verse and, in its second, Job 12:24.
weakeneth the strength—literally, "looseth the girdle"; Orientals wear flowing garments; when active strength is to be put forth, they gird up their garments with a girdle. Hence here—"He destroyeth their power" in the eyes of the people.
22. (Da 2:22).
23. Isa 9:3; Ps 107:38, 39, which Psalm quotes this chapter elsewhere. (See on Job 12:21).
straiteneth—literally, "leadeth in," that is, "reduces."
24. heart—intelligence.
wander in a wilderness—figurative; not referring to any actual fact. This cannot be quoted to prove Job lived after Israel's wanderings in the desert. Ps 107:4, 40 quotes this passage.
25. De 28:29; Ps 107:27 again quote Job, but in a different connection.