Job 12:23-25

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 12:23

He increaseth the nations, and destroyeth them ,.... As he did before the flood, when the earth was tilled, and all over peopled with them, but at the flood he destroyed them at once. Sephorno interprets it of the seven nations in the land of Canaan, which were increased in it, and destroyed, to make way for the Israelites to inhabit it; and this has since been verified in other kingdoms, large and populous, and brought to destruction, particularly in the four monarchies, Babylonian,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 12:24

He taketh away the heart of the chief of the people of the earth ,.... The people of the earth are the common people; the "chief" or "heads" F6 ראשי "capitum", Montanus, Cocceius, Schmidt, Michaelis, Schultens. of them, as it may be rendered, are kings, princes and generals of armies; whose "hearts" may be said to be "taken away" when they are dispirited, and deprived both of courage and conduct; have neither valour nor wisdom, neither fortitude of mind, nor military skill to defend... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 12:25

They grope in the dark without light ,.... Like blind men, as the men of Sodom, when they were struck with blindness; or "they grope", or "feel the dark, and not light" F7 ימששו חשך ולא אור "palpant tenebras et non lucem", Vatablus, Mercerus, Drusius, Schultens. , as the Targum; as the Egyptian, did when such gross darkness was upon them as might be felt: and he maketh them to stagger like a drunken man ; that has lost his sight, his senses, and his feet, and knows not... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Job 12:23

He increaseth the nations - Mr. Good translates, He letteth the nations grow licentious. Pride, fullness of bread, with extensive trade and commerce, produce luxury; and this is ever accompanied with profligacy of manners. When, then, the cup of this iniquity is full, God destroys the nation, by bringing or permitting to come against it a nation less pampered, more necessitous, and inured to toil. He enlargeth the nations - Often permits a nation to acquire an accession of territory, and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Job 12:24

He taketh away the heart of the chief - Suddenly deprives the leaders of great counsels, or mighty armies of courage; so that, panic-struck, they flee when none pursueth, or are confounded when about to enter on the accomplishment of important designs. And causeth them to wander in a wilderness - A plain allusion to the journeyings of the Israelites in the deserts of Arabia, on their way to the promised land. Their chief, Aaron, had his courage all taken away by the clamors of the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Job 12:25

They grope in the dark - The writer seems to have had his eye on those words of Moses, Deuteronomy 28:28 , Deuteronomy 28:29 ; : The Lord shall smite thee with madness, and blindness, and astonishment of heart; and thou shalt Grope At Noonday, as the Blind Gropeth In Darkness. And this also may refer to the unaccountable errors, transgressions, and judicial blindness of the Israelites in their journeying to the promised land: but it will apply also to the state of wicked nations under... 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

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