Job 12:4 NIV

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

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Job 12:4

I am as one mocked of his neighbor - Though I am invoking God for help and salvation, yet my friends mock me in this most solemn and sacred work. But God answereth me. The just upright man is laughed to scorn - This is a very difficult verse, on which no two critics seem to be agreed. Mr. Good translates the fourth and fifth verses thus: - "Thus brother is become a laughing-stock to his companions, While calling upon God that he would succor him. The just, the perfect man, is a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 12:1-5

Job to Zophar: 1. The conduct of the friends criticized. I. ARROGANT ASSUMPTION REPELLED . 1. With sarcastic admiration. "No doubt but ye are the people, and wisdom shall die with you." Irony is a weapon difficult and dangerous to use, apt to wound the hand that wields it as well as the heart that feels it, and seldom becoming on the lips of any, least of all of good men. Admirably adapted to sting and lacerate, it rarely improves or conciliates those against whom it is directed.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 12:1-6

The resentment of a wounded spirit. Repeated reproaches and accusations falling upon the conscience of an innocent man sting him into self-defence. They may do a service by rousing him out of stupor and weakness, and may bring to light the nobler qualities of his soul. We are indebted to the slanders of the Corinthians for some of the noblest self-revelations of St. Paul. I. OUTBURST OF INDIGNANT SCORN . ( Job 12:1-3 .) With bitter irony Job rebukes the assumption of these men... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 12:1-6

Contempt the lot of misfortune. Job is driven to retort. He affirms his own competency to speak. He claims equality with his would-be teachers, whose words are yet far from healing or comforting his sorely afflicted heart. "I have understanding as well as you." But to him belongs the contempt which is the lot of misfortune. Sad is the story told in a sentence here, but repeated in every day's history and in every land and every age. The selfish heart, rising to a higher level of prosperity,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 12:1-25

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 12:4

I am as one mocked of his neighbour . You have accused me of mockery ( Job 11:3 ): but it is I that have been mocked of you. The allusion is probably to Job 11:2 , Job 11:3 , Job 11:11 , Job 11:12 , and Job 11:20 . Who calleth upon God, and he answereth him . You mock me, though I have always clung to religion, have called upon God in prayer, and from time to time had my prayers answered by him. Thus it is the just upright man that is laughed to scorn. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 12:4

I am as one mocked of his neighbour - There has been considerable variety in the interpretation of this verse. The general sense is, that Job felt himself to be a mere laughing-stock for his neighbors. They treated him as if he were not worth regarding. They had no sympathy for him in his sorrows, and they showed no respect for his opinions. Dr. Good understands this and the following verses as a part of the controversy in which Job proposes to show his skill in debate, and to adduce proverbs... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Job 12:4

Job 12:4. I am as one mocked of his neighbour שׂחק לרעהו אהיה , sechok leregnehu ehjeh, literally, a jest to his friend, I am. Thus Jeremiah complains, I was a derision to all my people, Lamentations 3:14. Who calleth upon God, and he answereth him This is applied by Sol. Jarchi, and the commentators in general, to Job’s neighbour or friend; intimating that such a one, addressing himself to God, received a favourable answer; when Job himself had no satisfactory return paid to his... read more

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

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

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Job 12:4

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 12:1-5

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 12:1-6

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 12:1-6

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 12:1-25

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 12:4

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 12:4

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Job 12:4

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