Job 12

Job, in replying to Zophar, refers also to the arguments of Eliphaz and Bildad. He begins by expressing contempt for his friends, who, though not wiser than himself, had presumed thus to teach him (2-5); affirms again that God deals sovereignly with men (6), shows that he can speak of God’s might and supremacy in strains as sublime as those of his friends (7-25; xiii. 1, 2): appeals from their charges to the Almighty (3-27); and closes with a touching description of the brevity of life (28; xiv.).

4. Who calleth upon God, etc. That is, I whom God once heard and answered am treated with scorn.

5 a lamp despised. “An unfortunate man is despised like an extinguished torch.” Read, “There is contempt for misfortune, in the thought of the secure, ready for those who waver in their steps”: cp. R.V.

6. Into whose hand God bringeth abundantly. Or, “who have God in their hand”; i.e., who have no other God than their own will and power: see R.V., marg.

11. Doth not the ear, etc.? Or, “Doth not the ear try words as the palate tastes food?” and so I

L will exercise my own judgement upon the wise sayings you have quoted.

13. With Him. That is, with God. The connexion seems to be, that whereas man acquires knowledge by long experience, the wisdom of God belongs to Him essentially and always.

16. The deceived and the deceiver are His. All are alike under His control.

17 spoiled. Rather, “stripped”; i.e., captives (Isa. xx. 4). And so in ver. 19.

19 princes. Or, “priests”; see Gen. xii. 45. The word in ver. 21 is different.

21 weakeneth the strength of the mighty. Literally, “Ioseph the girdle of the strong”: see ver. 18, and Isa. v. 27. The loosened girdle meant loss of power for action.

22 discovereth. i.e., revealeth.

23. He increaseth . . . He enlargeth. “Increaseth” refers to power; “enlargeth” to extent.

24 the heart. Or, “understanding”; the heart being spoken of as the seat of intellect.