Job 12:3-13

3 And to me is an heart, as and to you (But I also have understanding, like you do), and I am not lower than ye; for who knoweth not these things, which ye know?

4 He that is scorned of his friend, as I am, shall inwardly call (upon) God, and God shall hear him; for the simpleness of a just man is scorned (for the innocence, or the integrity, of the righteous is scorned).

5 And a lamp is despised at the thoughts of rich men, the which lamp is made ready to a time ordained. (And he who is about to slip, or unwittingly fall, is despised in the thoughts of the rich, or the successful.)

6 The tabernacles of robbers be plenteous, either full of goods; and boldly they stir God to wrath, when he hath given all things into their hands.

7 No wonder (Do not wonder about it), (but) ask thou [the] beasts, and they shall teach thee; and ask thou [the] birds of the air, and they shall show to thee.

8 Speak to the earth, and it shall answer thee; and the fishes of the sea shall tell those things.

9 Who knoweth not that the hand of the Lord made all these things?

10 In whose hand the soul is of each living thing, and the spirit of each flesh of man. (In whose hand is the soul of each living thing, and the breath of all mankind.)

11 Whether the ear deemeth not words, and the cheeks of the eater deem (the) savour, or the taste of meat? (Whether the ear judgeth not the words, like the tongue of the eater judgeth the savour, or the taste, of the food?)

12 Wisdom is in eld men, and prudence is in much time.

13 Wisdom and strength is with God; he hath counsel and understanding.

Job 12:3-13 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.