Job 12:17

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 12:17

He leadeth counsellors away spoiled - Plundered or captive. That is, the counsels of wise and great men do not avail against God. Statesmen who promised themselves victory as the result of their plans he disappoints, and leads away into captivity. The object of this is to show that God is superior over all, and also that people are not dealt with in exact accordance with their character and rank. God is a sovereign, and he shows his sovereignty when defeating the counsels and purposes of the... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Job 12:17

Job 12:17. He leadeth counsellors away spoiled The wise counsellors, or statesmen, by whom the affairs of kings and kingdoms are ordered, he leadeth away as captives in triumph, being spoiled either of that wisdom which they had, or seemed to have; or of that power and dignity which they had enjoyed. And maketh the judges fools By discovering their folly, and by infatuating their minds, and turning their own counsels to their ruin. 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

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Job 12:1-19

Job’s repudiation of his friends 12:1-13:19Job 12:2 is irony; his companions were not as wise as they thought. Job pointed out that much of what they had said about God was common knowledge (cf. Job 5:9-10; Job 8:13-19; Job 11:7-9). Nonetheless their conclusion, that the basis of man’s relationship with God is his deeds, did not fit the facts of life. Job cited his own case as proof, as well as the fact that the wicked often prosper (Job 12:6). He said even the animals know that God sends... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Job 12:1-22

6. Job’s first reply to Zophar chs. 12-14In these chapters Job again rebutted his friends and their view of God. He also challenged God and brooded over death. Half of this section is dialogue with his friends (Job 12:1 to Job 13:19) and half is prayer to God (Job 13:20 to Job 14:22). Job could not agree with his friends’ conclusion, but neither could he explain why God was dealing with him as He was. He could only conclude that God was not just. 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

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

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Job 12:1-25

JOB EMPHASISES GOD'S GREATNESS AND WISDOM (vv.1-25) Job's reply to Zophar was understandably sarcastic, "No doubt you are the people, and wisdom will die with you!" (v.2). Zophar had implied that he had intuitive wisdom such as Job lacked, and Job rightly reproved him in saying, "But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you" (v.3). In fact, Zophar had said only what was common knowledge: everyone knew these things. Job felt the pathos of being mocked by his friends,... read more

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