Job 12:3

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 12:3

But I have understanding as well as you ,.... A natural understanding, or an understanding of natural things, which distinguishes a man from a brute; and a spiritual understanding, an understanding enlightened by the spirit of God, which is naturally dark as to divine things; but he had an understanding given him, to know himself, his state and condition by nature; to know God, his love and grace to men, and, as his covenant God, to know Christ his living Redeemer, who should stand on the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Job 12:3

I am not inferior to you - I do not fall short of any of you in understanding, wisdom, learning, and experience. Who knoweth not such things as these? - All your boasted wisdom consists only in strings of proverbs which are in every person's mouth, and are no proof of wisdom and experience in them that use them. 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 12:3

But I have understanding as well as you . "I, however, claim to have just as much understanding [literally, 'heart'] as you, and to be just as well entitled to speak, and to claim attention;" since I am not inferior to you. "I am not conscious," i.e; "of any inferiority to you, intellectual or moral. I do not fall below you in either respect . " Yea, who knoweth not such things as these? "Not," Job means to say, "that much understanding is necessary in such a ease as this; any... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 12:3

But I have understanding as well as you - Margin, as in the Hebrew “an heart.” The word “heart” in the Scriptures is often used to denote the understanding or mind. It seems to have been regarded as the source of that which was called life or soul. Indeed, I do not recollect a single instance in the Scriptures in which the word “head” is used, as with us, as the seat of the intellect, or where the distinction is adverted to that is so common with us, between the head and the heart. With us, the... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Job 12:3

Job 12:3. But I have an understanding Hebrew, a heart, which is often put for the understanding: God hath given me also the knowledge and ability to judge of these matters. I am not inferior to you In these things; which he speaks, not in a way of boasting, but for the just vindication both of himself and of that cause of God, which, for the substance of it, he maintained rightly, as God himself attests, Job 42:6. Who knoweth not such things The truth is, neither you nor I have... read more

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