13 With him is wisdom H2451 and strength, H1369 he hath counsel H6098 and understanding. H8394
Who hath directed H8505 the Spirit H7307 of the LORD, H3068 or being his counsellor H376 H6098 hath taught H3045 him? With whom took he counsel, H3289 and who instructed H995 him, and taught H3925 him in the path H734 of judgment, H4941 and taught H3925 him knowledge, H1847 and shewed H3045 to him the way H1870 of understanding? H8394
For the LORD H3068 giveth H5414 wisdom: H2451 out of his mouth H6310 cometh knowledge H1847 and understanding. H8394 He layeth up H6845 H6845 sound wisdom H8454 for the righteous: H3477 he is a buckler H4043 to them that walk H1980 uprightly. H8537
And Elihu H453 the son H1121 of Barachel H1292 the Buzite H940 answered H6030 and said, H559 I am young, H6810 H3117 and ye are very old; H3453 wherefore I was afraid, H2119 and durst H3372 not shew H2331 you mine opinion. H1843 I said, H559 Days H3117 should speak, H1696 and multitude H7230 of years H8141 should teach H3045 wisdom. H2451 But H403 there is a spirit H7307 in man: H582 and the inspiration H5397 of the Almighty H7706 giveth them understanding. H995 Great men H7227 are not always wise: H2449 neither do the aged H2205 understand H995 judgment. H4941
Whence H370 then cometh H935 wisdom? H2451 and where is the place H4725 of understanding? H998 Seeing it is hid H5956 from the eyes H5869 of all living, H2416 and kept close H5641 from the fowls H5775 of the air. H8064 Destruction H11 and death H4194 say, H559 We have heard H8085 the fame H8088 thereof with our ears. H241 God H430 understandeth H995 the way H1870 thereof, and he knoweth H3045 the place H4725 thereof. For he looketh H5027 to the ends H7098 of the earth, H776 and seeth H7200 under the whole heaven; H8064 To make H6213 the weight H4948 for the winds; H7307 and he weigheth H8505 the waters H4325 by measure. H4060 When he made H6213 a decree H2706 for the rain, H4306 and a way H1870 for the lightning H2385 of the thunder: H6963 Then did he see H7200 it, and declare H5608 it; he prepared H3559 it, yea, and searched it out. H2713 And unto man H120 he said, H559 Behold, the fear H3374 of the Lord, H136 that is wisdom; H2451 and to depart H5493 from evil H7451 is understanding. H998
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Job 12
Commentary on Job 12 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 12
In this and the two following chapters we have Job's answer to Zophar's discourse, in which, as before, he first reasons with his friends (see 13:19) and then turns to his God, and directs his expostulations to him, from thence to the end of his discourse. In this chapter he addresses himself to his friends, and,
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.
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, ch. 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.
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 minor things, would see it to be for their honour and comfort, and the edification of others, to dwell most upon those great things in which they are agreed. On this subject Job speaks like himself. Here are no passionate complaints, no peevish reflections, but every thing masculine and great.
Thus are the revolutions of kingdoms wonderfully brought about by an overruling Providence. Heaven and earth are shaken, but the Lord sits King for ever, and with him we look for a kingdom that cannot be shaken.