Job 12:10

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 12:10

In whose hand is the soul of every living thing ,.... Of every animal, of every brute creature, as distinct from man, in the next clause: the life of everyone of them is from him, and it is continued by him as long as he pleases, nor can it be taken away without his leave; two sparrows, which are not worth more than a farthing, not one of them falls to the ground, or dies without the knowledge and will of God, Matthew 10:29 ; of the soul or spirit of beasts, see Ecclesiastes 3:21 ; ... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Job 12:10

In whose hand is the soul of every living thing - חי כל נפש nephesh col chai , "the soul of all life." And the breath of all mankind - בשר כל ורוח veruach col besar , "and the spirit or breath of all flesh." Does not the first refer to the immortal soul, the principle of all intellectual life; and the latter to the breath, respiration, the grand means by which animal existence is continued? See Job 10:1 . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 12:1-25

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 12:5-13

Job to Zophar: 2. The dogma of the friends demolished. I. BY THE FACTS OF EXPERIENCE . 1 . The adverse fortunes of the good. Exemplified in Job's own case, which showed 2 . The prosperous fortunes of the bad . Apt illustrations were at hand in the seemingly unchanging success which waited on the footsteps of those marauding caterans with which Arabia Deserta was overrun. (a) Robbers of men, violent and rapacious plunderers, who put might for right, "men of the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 12:7-10

The testimony of the creature to the Divine government. Job again vindicates himself in presence of his accusing friends. He professes his knowledge to be as theirs, and he even points them to the lower animals to find wisdom from them. The very beasts of the earth, the fowls of the air, the fruitful field, the fishes in the deep, all tell the great truth—Jehovah reigns supreme. "In his hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind;" all proclaim the Almighty, all... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 12:7-10

Lessons of nature. I. NATURE REBUKES MAN 'S IGNORANCE . Job refers his friends to nature in a tone of reproach. They ought to have known what nature was proclaiming. There are two grounds for this rebuke. 1 . The wealth and fulness of nature ' s testimony to her Creator. Go where one may, nature is ready to speak for God. The beasts of the field, the fowls of the air, the creeping things on the ground, the fishes of the sea, all speak for the power and wisdom of their Maker.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 12:7-12

The wisdom and tile power of God a truth universally known. It is not the peculiar possession of those fancied wise friends. It is a truth impressed on all nature and on the experience of man. I. APPEAL TO THE LIVING CREATURES . ( Job 12:7-10 .) The beasts, the birds of the air, the earth with all its living growths, the creatures of the sea,—all bear traces of his skill, all receive from him their life and sustenance, all are subject to his omnipresent power (comp. Psalms... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 12:10

In whose hand is the soul of every living thing . A brief summary of what had been said in Job 12:7 , Job 12:8 , to which is now appended the further statement, that in God's hand—wholly dependent on him—is the entire race of mankind also. And the breath of all mankind ; literally, and the spirit of all flesh of man. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 12:10

In whose hand is the soul of every living thing - Margin, “Life.” The margin is the more correct rendering. The idea is, that all are under the control of God. He gives life, and health, and happiness when he pleases, and when he chooses he takes them away. His sovereignty is manifested, says Job, in the inferior creation, or among the beasts of the field, the fishes of the sea, and the fowls of heaven.And the breath of all mankind - Margin, “Flesh of man.” The margin is in accordance with the... read more

Group of Brands