Job 12:6-16

6 De tenten der verwoesters hebben rust, en die Gode tergen, hebben verzekerdheden, om hetgene God met Zijn hand toebrengt.

7 En waarlijk, vraag toch de beesten, en elkeen van die zal het u leren; en het gevogelte des hemels, dat zal het u te kennen geven.

8 Of spreek tot de aarde, en zij zal het u leren; ook zullen het u de vissen der zee vertellen.

9 Wie weet niet uit alle deze, dat de hand des HEEREN dit doet?

10 In Wiens hand de ziel is van al wat leeft, en de geest van alle vlees des mensen.

11 Zal niet het oor de woorden proeven, gelijk het gehemelte voor zich de spijze smaakt?

12 In de stokouden is de wijsheid, en in de langheid der dagen het verstand.

13 Bij Hem is wijsheid en macht; Hij heeft raad en verstand.

14 Ziet, Hij breekt af, en het zal niet herbouwd worden; Hij besluit iemand, en er zal niet opengedaan worden.

15 Ziet, Hij houdt de wateren op, en zij drogen uit; ook laat Hij ze uit, en zij keren de aarde om.

16 Bij Hem is kracht en wijsheid; Zijns is de dwalende, en die doet dwalen.

Job 12:6-16 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.