Job 12:8

8 ask the plants of the earth, and they will teach you; and the fish of the sea will declare to 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 The tents of robbers are at peace, and those who provoke God are secure, who bring their god in their hands.

7 "But ask the animals, and they will teach you; the birds of the air, and they will tell you;

8 ask the plants of the earth, and they will teach you; and the fish of the sea will declare to you.

9 Who among all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this?

10 In his hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of every human being.

Footnotes

• [a] Or [speak to the earth]