Job 12
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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" ( Proverbs 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--( Isaiah 22:22 ). Job refers to Zophar's "shut up" ( Job 11:10 ).
15. Probably alluding to the flood.
16. ( Ezekiel 14:9 ).
18. He looseth the bond of kings--He looseth the authority of kings--the "bond" with which they bind their subjects ( Isaiah 45:1 Genesis 14:4 , Daniel 2:21 ).
a girdle--the cord, with which they are bound as captives, instead of the royal "girdle" they once wore ( Isaiah 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 ( John 21:18 ).
19. princes--rather, "priests," as the Hebrew is rendered ( Psalms 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 ( Isaiah 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 ( Daniel 2:14 ).
21. Psalms 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. ( Daniel 2:22 ).
23. Isaiah 9:3 , Psalms 107:38 Psalms 107:39 , which Psalm quotes this chapter
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. Psalms 107:4 Psalms 107:40 quotes this passage.
25. Deuteronomy 28:29 , Psalms 107:27 again quote Job, but in a different connection.