Job 12
Job 12 is part of “First Cycle of Dialogue” (4–14) in the outline of Job.
Job 12 summary
In this and the two following chapters we have Job's answer to Zophar's discourse, in which, as before, he first reasons with his friends (see Job 13:19) and then turns to his God, and directs his expostulations to him, from thence to the end of his discourse. In this chapter he addresses himself to his friends, and, I. He condemns what they had said of him, and the judgment they had given of his character (Job 12:1-5). II.
Read the full introduction
In this and the two following chapters we have Job's answer to Zophar's discourse, in which, as before, he first reasons with his friends (see Job 13:19) and then turns to his God, and directs his expostulations to him, from thence to the end of his discourse. In this chapter he addresses himself to his friends, and, I. He condemns what they had said of him, and the judgment they had given of his character (Job 12:1-5). II. He contradicts and confronts what they had said of the destruction of wicked people in this world, showing that they often prosper (Job 12:6-11). III. He consents to what they had said of the wisdom, power, and sovereignty of God, and the dominion of his providence over the children of men and all their affairs; he confirms this, and enlarges upon it (Job 12:12-25).
Source: Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Job 12 (ASV)
American Standard Version (public domain)
Job's Reply: I Am Not Inferior to You
1Then Job answered and said, 2No doubt but ye are the people, And wisdom shall die with you. 3But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you: Yea, who knoweth not such things as these? 4I 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. 5In the thought of him that is at ease there is contempt for misfortune; It is ready for them whose foot slippeth. 6The tents of robbers prosper, And they that provoke God are secure; Into whose hand God bringeth [abundantly]. 7But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; And the birds of the heavens, and they shall tell thee: 8Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee; And the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee. 9Who knoweth not in all these, That the hand of Jehovah hath wrought this, 10In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, And the breath of all mankind? 11Doth not the ear try words, Even as the palate tasteth its food? 12With aged men is wisdom, And in length of days understanding.
Wisdom Belongs to God Alone
13With [God] is wisdom and might; He hath counsel and understanding. 14Behold, he breaketh down, and it cannot be built again; He shutteth up a man, and there can be no opening. 15Behold, he withholdeth the waters, and they dry up; Again, he sendeth them out, and they overturn the earth. 16With him is strength and wisdom; The deceived and the deceiver are his. 17He leadeth counsellors away stripped, And judges maketh he fools. 18He looseth the bond of kings, And he bindeth their loins with a girdle. 19He leadeth priests away stripped, And overthroweth the mighty. 20He removeth the speech of the trusty, And taketh away the understanding of the elders. 21He poureth contempt upon princes, And looseth the belt of the strong. 22He uncovereth deep things out of darkness, And bringeth out to light the shadow of death. 23He increaseth the nations, and he destroyeth them: He enlargeth the nations, and he leadeth them captive. 24He 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. 25They grope in the dark without light; And he maketh them to stagger like a drunken man.