Job 12:11-14 BSB

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 12:13-25

The wisdom and might of God. Job meets his friend's authoritative utterances of proverbs and worldly maxims by a citation of similar sayings, but with a different import. It is not true that the righteous always prosper, and that the wicked always suffer. Such a primitive notion implies too anthropocentric a conception of the universe; it goes on the assumption that all things are done just to suit our condition and conduct. Now, Job takes a higher and wider view. He appeals to sayings that... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 12:14

Behold, he breaketh down, and it cannot be built again . Professor Lee thinks that the allusion is to the cities of the plain ( Genesis 19:24-29 ). But the sentiment is so general, that we may well doubt if particular instances were in Job's mind. At any rate, the destructive agencies of nature must be as much included as any supernatural acts. He shutteth up a man (comp. Job 11:10 ). God "shuts up" men when be hedges them in with calamities or other circumstances, which take away from... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 12:11

Doth not the ear try words? - The literal meaning of this, which is evidently a proverbial expression, is plain; but about its bearing here there is more difficulty. The literal sense is, that it is the office of the ear to mark the distinction of sounds, and to convey the sense to the soul. But in regard to the exact bearing of this proverb on the case in hand, commentators have not been agreed. Probably the sense is, that there ought to be a diligent attention to the signification of words,... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 12:12

With the ancient is wisdom - With the aged. The word ישׁישׁ yâshı̂ysh used here, means an old man, one gray-headed. It is used chiefly in poetry, and is commonly employed in the sense of one who is decrepit by age. It is rendered “very aged” in Job 15:10; “him that stooped for age.” 2 Chronicles 36:17; “very old,” Job 32:6; and “the aged,” Job 29:8 The Septuagint renders it, Ἐν πολλῷ χρόνῳ En pollō chronō “in much time.” The sense is, that wisdom might be expected to be found with the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 12:13

With him is wisdom - Margin, correctly, “God.” However much wisdom there may seem to be with aged men, yes the true wisdom - that which was supreme and worthy of the name - was to be found in God alone. The object of Job was to lead the thoughts up to God, and to bring his friends to a contemplation of the wisdom which he manifests in his works. Accordingly he goes on in the remainder of this chapter to state some of the illustrations of wisdom and power which God had exhibited, and... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 12:14

Behold, he breaketh down - None can repair what he pulls down. Cities and towns he can devote to ruin by fire, or earthquake, or the pestilence, and so completely destroy them that they can never be rebuilt. We may now refer to such illustrations as Sodom, Babylon, Petra, Tyre, Herculaneum, and Pompeii, as full proof of what is here affirmed.He shutteth up a man - He can shut up a man in such difficulties and straits that he cannot extricate himself; see Job 11:10. The Chaldee renders this, “he... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Job 12:11

Job 12:11. Doth not the ear try words? &c. Doth not the mind distinguish truth from falsehood, and wisdom from folly, as exactly as the palate distinguishes a sweet from a bitter taste? These words may either be considered as the conclusion of the foregoing discourse, or as a preface to the following. And he thereby demands from his friends the liberty of judging for himself of what they had said, and invites them to use the same liberty with respect to what he had advanced; wishing... read more

Joseph Benson

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

Job 12:12. With the ancient is wisdom These words contain a concession of what Bildad had said (Job 8:8-9,) and a joining with him in that appeal; but withal, an intimation that this wisdom was but imperfect, and liable to many mistakes; and indeed mere ignorance and folly, if compared with the divine wisdom, of which he speaks in the following verses. And therefore that antiquity ought not to be received against the truths of the most wise God. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Job 12:13

Job 12:13 . With him is wisdom That is, with God. Perfect wisdom is only in him, and all wisdom in the world cometh from him, who giveth to young and old as it pleaseth him. The ancients were not wise without his gift and grace, and with that a younger man may be wiser than the ancients. He hath counsel Practical wisdom to guide and govern all the affairs of the world; and understanding A perfect knowledge of all persons and things. “Job shows, in the following verses, that the... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Job 12:14

Job 12:14. Behold, he breaketh down Houses, castles, cities; and it cannot be built again It is not in the power of any creature to repair what he designs utterly to destroy. He shutteth up a man In prison, or in straits and troubles; and there can be no opening Without his permission and providence. Yea, he shuts up in the grave, and none can break open those sealed doors. He shuts up in hell, in chains of darkness, and none can pass that great gulf. read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 12:13-25

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 12:14

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 12:11

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 12:12

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 12:13

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 12:14

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Job 12:11

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

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Job 12:13

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Job 12:14

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