Job 12:14 NLT,NIV,ESV

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 12:14

Behold, he breaketh down, and it cannot be built again ,.... Which some restrain to the tower of Babel; but though the builders of it were obliged to desist from building, it does not appear that it was broken down, but seems to have continued many ages after: others more probably refer it to the destruction of Sodom, as Sephorno, which was an utter destruction, a perpetual desolation, and that city never was rebuilt to this day; and the same may be observed of many other cities that have... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Job 12:14

He breaketh down - He alone can create, and he alone can destroy. Nothing can be annihilated but by the same Power that created it. This is a most remarkable fact. No power, skill, or cunning of man can annihilate the smallest particle of matter. Man, by chemical agency, may change its form; but to reduce it to nothing belongs to God alone. In the course of his providence God breaks down, so that it cannot be built up again. See proofs of this in the total political destruction of Nineveh,... 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 12:14

Behold, he breaketh down, and it cannot be built again . Professor Lee thinks that the allusion is to the cities of the plain ( Genesis 19:24-29 ). But the sentiment is so general, that we may well doubt if particular instances were in Job's mind. At any rate, the destructive agencies of nature must be as much included as any supernatural acts. He shutteth up a man (comp. Job 11:10 ). God "shuts up" men when be hedges them in with calamities or other circumstances, which take away from... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 12:14

Behold, he breaketh down - None can repair what he pulls down. Cities and towns he can devote to ruin by fire, or earthquake, or the pestilence, and so completely destroy them that they can never be rebuilt. We may now refer to such illustrations as Sodom, Babylon, Petra, Tyre, Herculaneum, and Pompeii, as full proof of what is here affirmed.He shutteth up a man - He can shut up a man in such difficulties and straits that he cannot extricate himself; see Job 11:10. The Chaldee renders this, “he... read more

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 12:14

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Job 12:14

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 12:14

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 12:14

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