Job 12:16 — Word Study
WLCעִ֭מּוֹ עֹ֣ז וְתֽוּשִׁיָּ֑ה ל֝֗וֹ שֹׁגֵ֥ג וּמַשְׁגֶּֽה׃
BSATrue wisdomtûwshîyâh [genuine, authentic, support, ability, or understanding, often implying sound knowledge or efficient wisdom] and powerʻôz [strength, might] belong to Himʻim [as His inherent attributes] The deceivedshâgag [one who has gone astray, sinned or erred] and the deceiver [are His]shâgâh [one who leads others astray, intentionally or unintentionally, under His authority, subject to His will]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| עִ֭מּוֹ | [are] with him | Preposition, suffix |
| עֹ֣ז | strength | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| וְתֽוּשִׁיָּ֑ה | and sound wisdom | Conjunction, noun common feminine singular absolute |
| ל֝֗וֹ | [belong] to him | Preposition, suffix |
| שֹׁגֵ֥ג | [one who] goes astray | Verb, Qal, participle (active) masculine singular |
| וּמַשְׁגֶּֽה׃ | and [one who] leads astray | Conjunction, verb hiphil participle (active) masculine singular |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | True wisdom and power belong to Him. The deceived and the deceiver are His. |
| KJV | With him is strength and wisdom: the deceived and the deceiver are his. |
| ASV | With him is strength and wisdom; The deceived and the deceiver are his. |
| YLT | With Him [are] strength and wisdom, His the deceived and deceiver. |
| WEB | With him is strength and wisdom. The deceived and the deceiver are his. |
| BBE | With him are strength and wise designs; he who is guided into error, together with his guide, are in his hands; |
The translations agree on the essential meaning of God's possession of wisdom and power.
The sentence consists of two main clauses, each followed by noun phrases that describe the attributes of God and the subjects under His authority.







8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbשָׁגַג
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Job 12:16
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — Job's Reflection on God's Sovereigntygenerated
Job 12:16 emphasizes that true wisdom and power belong to God, highlighting His authority over both those who err and those who lead others astray. This verse is part of a larger discourse where Job reflects on God's control over the natural world and human affairs, illustrating the divine wisdom that governs all actions and outcomes.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Job 12:13 | Wisdom and strength belong to God; counsel and understanding are His. |
| 2 | Matthew 6:13 | And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. ’ |
| 3 | 1 Kings 22:22–23 | And he replied, ‘I will go out and be a lying spirit in the mouths of all his prophets.’ ‘You will surely entice him and prevail,’ said the LORD. ‘Go and do it.’ |
| 4 | Ezekiel 14:9 | But if the prophet is enticed to speak a message, then it was I the LORD who enticed him, and I will stretch out My hand against him and destroy him from among My people Israel. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 4 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — עֹז, 'ozgenerated
The noun עֹז ('oz) refers to strength or might, encompassing various dimensions such as physical power, social status, and boldness. It is often associated with the might of God, emphasizing His supreme authority and capability in all matters.
The parsing indicates that it is a common masculine singular noun, which reinforces its use as a fundamental attribute of God, suggesting that His strength is not only physical but also moral and spiritual, underpinning His governance over creation.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses belong to Him to convey the idea that both wisdom and power are inherent to God.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main clause is governed by the finite verb עִ֭מּוֹ, [are] with Him, which establishes God's possession of wisdom and strength. The structure includes two noun phrases: עֹ֣ז (strength) and וְתֽוּשִׁיָּ֑ה (and sound wisdom), both functioning as subjects that describe attributes belonging to God.
The Hebrew word order places emphasis on God's attributes first, followed by the subjects that are under His authority, creating a clear statement of His sovereignty.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, עֹז is rendered as κράτος, which also means strength or power, indicating a direct correlation in meaning. This choice emphasizes God's might in a way familiar to Greek readers.
The translation of וְתֽוּשִׁיָּ֑ה is less clear, but it aligns with the concept of wisdom, showing that the translators understood the importance of conveying God's attributes accurately.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Job 12:16 states that true wisdom and power belong to God, and that both the deceived and the deceiver are under His authority. This verse highlights God's control over all aspects of life, showing that He governs both those who err and those who lead others astray.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It means that God is the ultimate source of understanding and strength, and everything operates under His authority.
The verse indicates that both the deceived and the deceiver are subject to God's will, emphasizing His sovereignty even over moral failures.
Recognizing God's attributes helps us understand His role in our lives and the world, reinforcing our trust in His guidance.
We learn that despite the complexities of life and human actions, God remains in control and possesses the ultimate wisdom and power.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what areas of my life can I recognize God's wisdom and power at work?
- How can I better understand the concept of being deceived or leading others astray?
- What does it mean for me to submit to God's authority in my life?
- How can I seek God's wisdom in my decisions and actions?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early comments on this verse reflect on God's strength and wisdom, emphasizing His authority in all matters.
With Him is strength and wisdom. A little above it had been said, With Him is wisdom and strength; but now it is said, With Him is strength and wisdom.Early Church Fathers on Job 12 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Job 12:16 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleWith him [is] strength and wisdom,.... Which is repeated from Job 12:13; though different words are used but expressive of the same things; of the greatest strength might, and power of God, as the
Read John Gill on Job 12 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryWith him is strength and wisdom: the deceived and the deceiver are his. The deceived and the deceiver are his. "If the prophet be deceived when he hath spoken a thing, I the Lord have deceived that prophet" (Ezekiel 14:9).
Read Robert Jamieson on Job 12 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleHe doth the things here mentioned in the foregoing and succeeding verses, and that both powerfully, so as no creature can resist and hinder him, and wisely, so as none can prevent and overreach him. The same thing he had said before, , but he repeats it here to prepare the way for the following events, which are eminent instances both of his power and wisdom. Are his, i.e. from or by him, and wholly subject to his disposal. That one man deceiveth another, and that the other is deceived by him, either in Divine or civil and worldly things, (which seem to be principally intended here, by comparing the following verses,) this is from God, and by the conduct of his wise and powerful providence.…
Read Matthew Poole on Job 12 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsJob 12:16 With him [is] strength and wisdom: the deceived and the deceiver [are] his.Ver. 16. With him is strength and wisdom] i.e. Such strength as he exerciseth most wisely, mightily, and righteously. Sic volo, sic iubeo, I wish so, so I command, saith the tyrant, Right or wrong, thus it shall be. Volumus et iubemus, saith that man of sin, We will and command, &c., neither must any one mute or say so much as What dost thou? upon pain of damnation. When Constantius would have Paulinus, Lucifer, and other bishops subscribe against Athanasius, and communicate with the Arians, he yielded to no other reason but this, Quod ego volo, pro canone sit, Do as I bid, or get you into banishment. But…
Read John Trapp on Job 12 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 16. With him is strength and wisdom] עז ותושיה oz vethushiyah, strength and sufficiency. Strength or power, springing from an exhaustless and infinite source of potency. In the thirteenth verse it is said, With him is wisdom and strength; but the expressions are not the same, חכמה וגבורה chochmah ugeburah, intelligence and fortitude, or strength in action, the wisdom ever guiding the exertions of power; but here is strength or power in essence, and an eternal potentiality. With him is every excellence, in potentia and in esse. He borrows nothing, he derives nothing. As he is self-existent, so is he self-sufficient. We have had the word tushiyah before. See Clarke on Job 11:6. The…
Read AdamClarke on Job 12 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges16. The word “wisdom” in this verse is that in ch. Job 5:12, Job 11:6. the deceived and the deceiver] lit. he that errs and he that leads into error, he that is ruled and he that rules oppressively. These are distinctions among men; to God both are the same, or both are equally in his hand, cf. Proverbs 22:2.
Read Cambridge on Job 12 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleThe deceived and the deceiver are his - This is designed to teach that all classes of people are under his control. All are dependent on him, and all are subject to him.
Read Albert Barnes on Job 12 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bibleb. For the sake of the argument Job acknowledges the divine wisdom and might in the moral world; but at once saddles these attributes with calamities that strike deceived and deceiver alike; as much
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Job 12 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
True wisdom and power belong to Him. The deceived and the deceiver are His.
With him is strength and wisdom. The deceived and the deceiver are his.
True wisdom and power belong to Him. The deceived and the deceiver are His.
With him are strength and prudence; both the one who goes astray and the one who misleads are his.
Tyndale line
With him is strength and wisdom: the deceived and the deceiver are his.
With him is strength and wisdom; The deceived and the deceiver are his.
With him is strength and effectual working; the deceived and the deceiver are his.
With him is strength and wisdom: the deceived and the deceiver are his.
With him is strength and wisedome: hee that is deceiued, and that deceiueth, are his.
Strictly literal
With him is strength and effectual knowledge; the deceived and the deceiver are his.
With Him [are] strength and wisdom, His the deceived and deceiver.
With Him [are] strength and wisdom, || His the deceived and deceiver.
With him are strength and counsel: his are the deceived and the deceiver.
With him are strength and wisdom; people who are deceived and the deceiver are both in his power.
From the Latin
With him is strength and wisdom: he knoweth both the deceiver, and him that is deceived.
Simplified
He is mighty and victorious; both deceivers and those deceived are subject to him.
With him are strength and wise designs; he who is guided into error, together with his guide, are in his hands;
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree in their wording for this verse, confirming the consistency of the message regarding God's wisdom and power. The Septuagint matches every word of the Hebrew text, indicating a faithful translation.
עִ֭מּוֹ עֹ֣ז וְתֽוּשִׁיָּ֑ה ל֝֗וֹ שֹׁגֵ֥ג וּמַשְׁגֶּֽה׃
6 of the 6 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Job 12:16
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
עִם (im) is a preposition meaning 'with' and covers a range of relationships, including companionship, locality, and possession. It can imply actions done jointly, equality, or even opposition in contexts like combat. The related form מֵעִם (me.im) means 'from with' or 'beside.' The entries reflect various nuances but do not present significant disagreement.
עִם prep. with
of fellowship and companionship
of aid
Of actions done jointly with another
If the common action be of the nature of a contest or combat, with in the sense of against
Of dealing with a person, or of the relation in which one stands with, or towards, another
Of a common lot together with the wicked
Of equality or resemblance generally aid
Of time, as long as
Of a locality, close to, beside
Of persons, עִם is spec.
in the house or family or service of
In possession of
In the custody or care of
Beside = except
With = friendly with
Idiom. of a thought or purpose present with one
Metaph. together with = in spite of, notwithstanding
base
מֵעִם 72 from with or beside
base
H5973a עִם with . of fellowship and companionship
. Of a locality, close to, beside
. Of persons, עִם is spec. . in the house or family or service of
. In possession of
. In the custody or care of
. Beside = except
. With = friendly with
. Idiom. of a thought or purpose present with one
. Metaph. together with = in spite of, notwithstanding
H5973b מֵעִם from with, beside
5973 `im eem
from 6004; adverb or preposition, with (i.e. in conjunction
with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with;
often with prepositional prefix (and then usually
unrepresented in English):--accompanying, against, and, as (X
long as), before, beside, by (reason of), for all, from
(among, between), in, like, more than, of, (un-)to,
with(-al).
see HEBREW for 06004
עִם (im) — with.
1) with
1a) with
1b) against
1c) toward
1d) as long as
מֵעִם (me.im) — from with.
1a) beside, except
1b) in spite of
Prep | Suff — Preposition · suffixHR/Sp3ms
עֹז (oz) refers to strength or might, encompassing material, physical, personal, social, and political dimensions. It can denote boldness or impudence and is associated with the might of God. The word is built from the root related to strength and power, with various applications noted in the entries.
עֹז, and (rarely) עוֹז n.m. strength, might
material and physical
personal, social, and political
might of י׳
= boldness, impudence
= stronghold
base
H5797 עֹז, and (rarely) עוֹז strength, might . material and physical
. personal, social, and political
. might of י׳
. = boldness, impudence
. = stronghold
5797 `oz oze
or (fully) rowz {oze}; from 5810; strength in various
applications (force, security, majesty, praise):--boldness,
loud, might, power, strength, strong.
see HEBREW for 05810
עֹז (oz) — strength.
1) might, strength
1a) material or physical
1b) personal or social or political
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
→ A title given to Jehovah 1Sa 15:29
תּוּשִׁיָּה (tuwshiyah) refers to sound or efficient wisdom and abiding success. It is derived from a root that implies support or ability, encompassing concepts like understanding and enterprise. The term is associated with wisdom that leads to success and effective outcomes.
תּוּשִׁיָּה n.f. sound, efficient wisdom, abiding success
base
H8454 תּוּשִׁיָּה sound, efficient wisdom, abiding success
8454 tuwshiyah too-shee-yaw'
or tushiyah { too-shee-yaw'}; from an unused root probably
meaning to substantiate; support or (by implication) ability,
i.e. (direct) help, (in purpose) an undertaking,
(intellectual) understanding:--enterprise, that which (thing
as it) is, substance, (sound) wisdom, working.
תּוּשִׁיָּה (tu.shiy.yah) — wisdom.
1) wisdom, sound knowledge, success, sound or efficient wisdom, abiding success
1a) sound or efficient wisdom
1b) abiding success (of the effect of sound wisdom)
Conj | N-fs — Conjunction · noun common feminine singular absoluteHC/Ncfsa
wiz'-dum:
1. Linguistic
2. History
3. Religious Basis
4. Ideals
5. Teaching of Christ
6. Remainder of the New Testament
(1) James
(2) Paul
7. Hypostasis
LITERATURE
1. Linguistic:
In the Revised Version (British and American) the noun "wisdom" and its corresponding adjective and verb ("be wise," "act wisely," etc.) represent a variety of Hebrew words: bin (binah, and in the English Revised Version tebunah), sakhal (sekhel, sekhel), lebh (and in the English Revised Version labhabh), tushiyah (and in the English Revised Version Te`em, `ormah, piqqach. None of these, however, is of very frequent occurrence and by far the most common group is the verb chakham, with the adjective chakham, and the nouns chokhmah, chokhmoth, with something over 300 occurrences in the Old Testament (of which rather more than half are in Job, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes). Cokhmah, accordingly, may be treated as the Hebrew…
וֹ (o) — him.
Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 3rd person masculine singular
HR/Sp3ms — Preposition · suffixHR/Sp3ms
שָׁגַג (shagag) is a primitive root meaning to stray or err, often in the context of sinning ignorantly or inadvertently. The entries highlight its use in the Qal form, indicating mental error or unintentional sin. There are no significant disagreements among the lexicons regarding its meaning.
[שָׁגַג] vb. go astray, commit sin or error
Qal
err, mentally
sin ignorantly, inadvertently
base
H7683 שָׁגַג
7683 shagag shaw-gag'
a primitive root; to stray, i.e. (figuratively) sin (with
more or less apology):--X also for that, deceived, err, go
astray, sin ignorantly.
שָׁגַג (sha.gag) — to go astray.
1) to go astray, err, commit sin or error
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to err (mentally)
1a2) to sin (ignorantly or inadvertently)
V-Qal — Verb · Qal · participle (active) masculine singularHVqrmsa
a-stra' (ta`ah, "to wander," "to err"; planaomai, "to go astray," each carrying the idea of being lost): With one exception (Ex 23:4 "his ass going astray") used metaphorically of moral wandering, going astray in paths of error and sin, like "sheep going astray" (1Pe 2:25 the King James Version; Isa 53:6; Ps 119:176).
שָׁגָה (shagah) is a Hebrew verb meaning to stray or err, often in a moral or mental sense. It can refer to wandering off course, committing sins of ignorance, or leading others astray. The entries highlight its use in both a literal and figurative context, including the idea of intoxication or being enraptured.
[שָׁגָה] vb. go astray, err
Qal
err, stray, of flock
swerve, meander, reel or roll
go astray
specif. commit sin of ignorance, inadvertence
Hiph. lead astray
lit.
mentally = mislead
morally
base
H7686 [שָׁגָה] go astray, err .. err, stray, of flock
. swerve, meander, reel or roll
. go astray
. specif. commit sin of ignorance, inadvertence
. lead astray . lit.
. mentally = mislead
. morally
7686 shagah shaw-gaw'
a primitive root; to stray (causatively, mislead), usually
(figuratively) to mistake, especially (morally) to transgress;
by extension (through the idea of intoxication) to reel,
(figuratively) be enraptured:--(cause to) go astray, deceive,
err, be ravished, sin through ignorance, (let, make to)
wander.
שָׁגָה (sha.gah) — to wander.
1) to go astray, stray, err
1a)(Qal)
1a1) to err, stray
1a2) to swerve, meander, reel, roll, be intoxicated, err (in drunkenness)
1a3) to go astray (morally)
1a4) to commit sin of ignorance or inadvertence, err (ignorantly)
1b) (Hiphil)
1b1) to lead astray
1b2) to lead astray, mislead (mentally)
1b3) to lead astray (morally)
Conj | V-Hiphil — Conjunction · verb hiphil participle (active) masculine singularHC/Vhrmsa
a-stra' (ta`ah, "to wander," "to err"; planaomai, "to go astray," each carrying the idea of being lost): With one exception (Ex 23:4 "his ass going astray") used metaphorically of moral wandering, going astray in paths of error and sin, like "sheep going astray" (1Pe 2:25 the King James Version; Isa 53:6; Ps 119:176).
