Job 12:1-25

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Job 12:1-5

The reproofs Job here gives to his friends, whether they were just or no, were very sharp, and may serve for a rebuke to all that are proud and scornful, and an exposure of their folly. I. He upbraids them with their conceitedness of themselves, and the good opinion they seemed to have of their own wisdom in comparison with him, than which nothing is more weak and unbecoming, nor better deserves to be ridiculed, as it is here. 1. He represents them as claiming the monopoly of wisdom, Job 12:2.... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Job 12:6-11

Job's friends all of them went upon this principle, that wicked people cannot prosper long in this world, but some remarkable judgment or other will suddenly light on them: Zophar had concluded with it, that the eyes of the wicked shall fail, Job 11:20. This principle Job here opposes, and maintains that God, in disposing men's outward affairs, acts as a sovereign, reserving the exact distribution of rewards and punishments for the future state. I. He asserts it as an undoubted truth that... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Job 12:12-25

This is a noble discourse of Job's concerning the wisdom, power, and sovereignty of God, in ordering and disposing of all the affairs of the children of men, according to the counsel of his own will, which none dares gainsay or can resist. Take both him and them out of the controversy in which they were so warmly engaged, and they all spoke admirably well; but, in that, we sometimes scarcely know what to make of them. It were well if wise and good men, that differ in their apprehensions about... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 12:1

And Job answered and said. In reply to Zophar, and in defence of himself; what is recorded in this and the two following chapters. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 12:2

No doubt but ye are the people ,.... Which is said not seriously, meaning that they were but of the common people, that are generally ignorant, and have but little knowledge, at least of things sublime, especially in matters of religion; wherefore, though they took upon them to be his teachers and dictators to him, and censors of him, they were not above the rank, but in the class of people of low and mean understandings; see John 7:49 ; this sense indeed agrees with what is after said,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 12:3

But I have understanding as well as you ,.... A natural understanding, or an understanding of natural things, which distinguishes a man from a brute; and a spiritual understanding, an understanding enlightened by the spirit of God, which is naturally dark as to divine things; but he had an understanding given him, to know himself, his state and condition by nature; to know God, his love and grace to men, and, as his covenant God, to know Christ his living Redeemer, who should stand on the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 12:4

I am as one mocked of his neighbour ,.... That is, according to Sephorno, if I knew not, or denied those things you have been speaking of concerning God, his immensity, sovereignty, and wisdom, I should be derided by all my friends and acquaintance; but rather the sense is, Job instances in himself as a proof that good men are afflicted by God in this life; he was once in a very prosperous condition, when he was caressed by all, but now was fallen into such low and miserable circumstances... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 12:5

He that is ready to slip with his feet ,.... Not into sin, though this is often the case of good men, but into calamities and afflictions; and Job means himself, and every just upright man in the like circumstances: or he that is "prepared" or "destined" to be among them, that "totter" and stagger in their "feet" F9 נכון למועדי רגל "destinatus vacillantibus pede", Schmidt; so Michaelis. ; that cannot stand upon their feet, but fall to the ground; which may describe man in... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 12:6

The tabernacles of robbers prosper ,.... Such as the Chaldeans and Sabeans, who had robbed Job of his substance, and filled their houses with the spoils of others, and lived in the greatest fulness and prosperity, and whom he might have in his view; and the like is what has been since observed by good men, and has been a trial and temptation to them, not knowing well how to reconcile this to the justice and wisdom of God in providence, yet so it is, a fact that cannot be denied, see Psalm... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 12:7

But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee ,.... And so the fowls of the air, and the fishes of the sea, in this and Job 12:8 ; from those instructions may be learned, of instances taken, and examples given, which may illustrate and confirm the same things that had been treated of: either what had been just now confuted, that it is always well with good men, and ill with bad men; the reverse of which had been affirmed and proved, that good men are afflicted, and wicked men prosper;... read more

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