Job 12:18 NIV

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 12:18

He looseth the bonds of kings ,.... Not with which they themselves may be bound, being taken prisoners, or being so before made kings, and brought from thence to reign, as in Ecclesiastes 4:14 ; but that which they bind on their subjects, a yoke of bondage, tyranny, and oppression; so that to loose their bond is to loose their subjects from it, and free them from their arbitrary and despotic power, and from the burdens they lay upon them: unless rather it should be understood of loosing... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Job 12:18

He looseth the bond of kings - He takes away their splendid robes, and clothes them with sackcloth; or, he dissolves their authority, permits their subjects to rebel and overthrow the state, to bind them as captives, and despoil them of all power, authority, and liberty. Many proofs of this occur in the Israelitish history and in the history of the principal nations of the earth, and not a few in the history of Britain. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 12:1-25

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 12:11-25

The Devine supremacy illustrated. Bildad appeals to "the ancients." Job replies, "I also know their teaching." But there is a wisdom higher than that of the ancients. Wisdom—unfailing wisdom—is a Divine attribute. From the earthly to the heavenly wisdom Job turns. He speaks of a higher and a mightier One—One "with whom is strength and wisdom," by which he rules. The supremacy of that Divine rule he illustrates from a very wide field of survey. He points to the evidences of the Divine... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 12:13-25

Job to Zophar: 3. The providence of God described. I. As INFINITELY WISE AND POWERFUL . "With God is wisdom and strength, he hath counsel and understanding" (verse 13)—a sentiment repeated in verse 16. Of the two attributes here mentioned, the first is involved in his supreme Divinity; though in the connection Job seems to base it on his eternal existence, as if he meant to say, "You affirm that in length of days is understanding, and I grant it; but what then must be the wisdom of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 12:13-25

Images of the irresistible power of God. I. THE WALL , OR HOUSE , OR CITY THUS DEMOLISHED CANNOT BE BUILT UP AGAIN . ( Job 12:14 .) Swept with the besom of destruction, it becomes the possession of the bittern and pools of water ( Isaiah 14:23 ). The ruined walls of Babylon and her charred gates defy the weary toil of the people ( Jeremiah 51:58 ); she sinks, and shall not rise from the evil that Jehovah will bring upon her ( Jeremiah 51:64 ). Men may build,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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 12:16-22

Instances of the overruling wisdom of God. I. THE DECEIVER AND THE DECEIVED ARE HIS . ( Job 12:16 .) He can cause the spirit of the faithless prophet to be a lying spirit ( 1 Kings 22:1-53 .), to be deceived in his oracles, and incur destruction ( Ezekiel 14:9 ). II. So THE JUDGES ARE MADE FOOLS . ( Job 12:17 .) In short, God hath made from time to time the wisdom of this world foolishness ( 1 Corinthians 1:1-31 .), that no flesh might glory in his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 12:18

He looseth the bond of kings, and girdeth their loins with a girdle . This may either mean that God at his pleasure both looses kings from captivity, and also binds them with a cord and causes them to be carried away captive; or that he looses the authority which kings have over their subjects, and then lets them be carried away captive by their enemies. The latter is perhaps the more probable sense. read more

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 12:18

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Job 12:18

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 12:1-25

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 12:11-25

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 12:13-25

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 12:13-25

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 12:13-25

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 12:16-22

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 12:18

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