Job 12:1-13:12

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 12:1

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 12:1-2

And Job answered and said, No doubt but ye are the people . Bitterly ironical. Ye are those to whom alone it belongs to speak—the only "people" to whom attention is due. And wisdom shall die with you. "At your death," i.e; "all wisdom will have fled the earth; there will be no one left who knows anything." At least, no doubt, you think so. 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

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Job 12:1

Job 12:1. And Job answered Greatly vexed that his friends should entertain so firm an opinion of his being a wicked man, and that they should press him so hard with their maxim, “that affliction was a demonstration of guilt,” he can no longer refrain from answering them with great sharpness. He taxes them with self-conceit; their maxims he treats as mean and poor, the contrary of which was evident to all observing persons; good men were frequently in distress, while robbers and public... 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

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Job 12:1

answered. See note on Job 4:1 . read more

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