Job 12:8

8 Or speak to the earth. It will teach you. Or let the fish of the ocean educate you.

Job 12:8 Meaning and Commentary

Job 12:8

Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee
Or ask "a sprig of the earth" ^F14, any shrub, or tree, or whatsoever grows out of it, and they will all unite in this doctrine, that they are raised and preserved by the power of God, and are so many instances of his wisdom, power, and goodness:

and the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee;
as mute as they are, they will proclaim this truth, that God is the mighty Maker and wise Disposer of them.

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FOOTNOTES:

F14 (Ural xyv) "virgultum terrae", Pagninus, Schmidt; so Drusius and Michaelis.

Job 12:8 In-Context

6 Why doesn't anyone bother the tents of robbers? Why do those who make God angry remain secure? They carry the statues of their gods in their hands!

7 "But ask the animals what God does. They will teach you. Or ask the birds of the air. They will tell you.

8 Or speak to the earth. It will teach you. Or let the fish of the ocean educate you.

9 Are there any of those creatures that don't know what the powerful hand of the LORD has done?

10 He holds the life of every creature in his hand. He controls the breath of every human being.