Job 12:1-10

1 And Job answereth and saith: --

2 Truly -- ye [are] the people, And with you doth wisdom die.

3 I also have a heart like you, I am not fallen more than you, And with whom is there not like these?

4 A laughter to his friend I am: `He calleth to God, and He answereth him,' A laughter [is] the perfect righteous one.

5 A torch -- despised in the thoughts of the secure Is prepared for those sliding with the feet.

6 At peace are the tents of spoilers, And those provoking God have confidence, He into whose hand God hath brought.

7 And yet, ask, I pray thee, [One of] the beasts, and it doth shew thee, And a fowl of the heavens, And it doth declare to thee.

8 Or talk to the earth, and it sheweth thee, And fishes of the sea recount to thee:

9 `Who hath not known in all these, That the hand of Jehovah hath done this?

10 In whose hand [is] the breath of every living thing, And the spirit of all flesh of man.'

Job 12:1-10 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.