Job 12:10-20

10 In his hand is the soul of every living thing and the spirit of all flesh of man.

11 Certainly the ear proves words and the mouth tastes foods.

12 With the ancient is wisdom; and in length of days intelligence.

13 With him is wisdom and strength; he has counsel and intelligence.

14 Behold, he shall break down, and it shall not be built again; he shall shut up a man, and no one shall be able to open unto him.

15 Behold, he shall withhold the waters, and they shall dry up; also he shall send them forth, and they shall destroy the earth.

16 With him is strength and existence; he who errs and he who leads astray are his.

17 He causes the counsellors to walk away stripped of counsel and makes the judges to be fools.

18 He looses the bond of kings and girds their loins with a girdle.

19 He leads priests away spoiled and overthrows the mighty.

20 He impedes the lips of those that speak the truth and takes away the counsel of the aged.

Job 12:10-20 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JOB 12

In this and the two following chapter Job makes answer to Zophar's discourse in the former; who having represented him as an ignorant man, he resents it, and begins his defence with a biting sarcasm on him and his friends, as being self-conceited, and having an high opinion of their own wisdom, as if none had any but themselves, Job 12:1,2; and puts in his claim for a share with them, as being not at all inferior to them, Job 12:3; and then refutes their notions, that it always goes well with good men, and ill with bad men; whereas the reverse is the truth, Job 12:4-6; and which they might learn from the brute creatures; or he sends them to them, to observe to them, that the best things they had knowledge of concerning God and his providence, and of his wisdom therein, were common notions that everyone had, and might be learned from beasts, birds, and fishes; particularly, that all things in the whole universe are made by God, and sustained by him, and are under his direction, and at his disposal, Job 12:7-10; and such things might as easily be searched, examined, and judged of, as sounds are tried by the ear, and food by the mouth, Job 12:11; and seeing it is usual among men, at least it may be expected that men in years should have a considerable share of wisdom and knowledge, it might be strongly inferred from thence, without any difficulty, that the most perfect and consummate wisdom was in God, Job 12:12,13; whence he passes on to discourse most admirably and excellently of the wisdom and power of God in the dispensations of his providence, in a variety of instances; which shows his knowledge of his perfections, ways, and works, was not inferior to that of his friends, Job 12:14-25.