Job 12:23

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Job 12:23-25

Job 12:23-25. He increaseth the nations, &c. What he had hitherto said of princes, he now applies to nations and people, whom God either increases or diminishes as he pleases. He enlargeth the nations He multiplies them so that they are forced to send forth colonies into other lands; and straiteneth them again Diminishes them by war, famine, or pestilence: or, as ינחם , janchem, more properly signifies, leadeth them in, or bringeth them back, namely, into their own land, and... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Job 12:1-25

Job’s reply to Zophar (12:1-14:22)The reply from Job opens with a sarcastic comment on the supposed wisdom of the three friends. They have merely been repeating general truths that everybody knows (12:1-3). They do not have the troubles Job has, and they make no attempt to understand how Job feels. A good person suffers while wicked people live in peace and security (4-6).Job does not argue with the fact that all life is in God’s hands. What worries him is the interpretation of that fact... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Job 12:23

increaseth = maketh them great. Occurs only here and Job 36:24 . read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Job 12:23

23. Isaiah 9:3; Psalms 107:38; Psalms 107:39, which Psalm quotes this chapter elsewhere. (See on Psalms 107:39- :). straiteneth—literally, "leadeth in," that is, "reduces." read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Job 12:1-25

Job’s Third Speech (Job 12-14)The friends have said God is wise and mighty. Job replies, ’I know that as well as you. You infer that He is also righteous, but experience shows that His power and wisdom are directed to unrighteous ends.’ But it is with God rather than with them that he wishes to argue, and come what may he will utter all he feels. He challenges God to name his sins, presses man’s hopeless destiny as a reason for God’s pity, longs that God might shelter him out of reach of His... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Job 12:23

(23) He increaseth the nations, and destroyeth them.—The latter part of this chapter teaches us a truth that is apt to be forgotten in the present day, which is, nevertheless, the key to much of the history of the world Why is it that nations are marked with such characteristic differences? as, for instance, the Greeks, the Romans, and the Jews in ancient times; the French, the English, and the Germans in our own. Why is it that the counsel of the wisest sometimes faileth, as with Ahitophel—the... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Job 12:1-25

Job 12:2 Speaking in Fors Clavigera (lx.) of the need of acquainting ourselves with the opinions of older thinkers, Ruskin satirically observes: 'For though a man of superior sagacity may be pardoned for thinking, with the friends of Job, that Wisdom will die with him, it can only be through neglect of the existing opportunities of general culture that he remains distinctly under the impression that she was born with him'. Job 12:4 'She saw there something that she had not,' says Meredith of... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Job 12:1-25

XII.BEYOND FACT AND FEAR TO GODJob 12:1-25; Job 13:1-28; Job 14:1-22Job SPEAKSZOPHAR excites in Job’s mind great irritation, which must not be set down altogether to the fact that he is the third to speak. In some respects he has made the best attack from the old position, pressing most upon the conscience of Job. He has also used a curt positive tone in setting out the method and principle of Divine government and the judgment he has formed of his friend’s state. Job is accordingly the more... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Job 12:1-25

CHAPTERS 12-14 Job’s Answer to Zophar 1. His sarcasm (Job 12:1-6 ) 2. He describes God’s power (Job 12:7-25 ) 3. He denounces his friends (Job 13:1-13 ) 4. He appeals to God (Job 13:14-28 ) 5. The brevity and trouble of life (Job 14:1-6 ) 6. The ray of light through hope of immortality (Job 14:7-22 ) Job 12:1-6 . He answers not only Zophar but the others as well. Before this Job had expressed his disappointment in them, rebuked them for their unkindness, and assailed as worthless... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Job 12:23

12:23 He {m} increaseth the nations, and destroyeth them: he enlargeth the nations, and straiteneth them [again].(m) In this discourse of God’s wonderful works, Job shows that whatever is done in this world both in the order and change of things, is by God’s will and appointment, in which he declares that he thinks well of God, and is able to set forth his power in words as they that reasoned against him were. read more

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