Job 12

12:1–14:22 In his longest speech thus far, Job addresses not only Zophar’s remarks but the entire first round of speeches.

12:7-9 A switch from you (plural in 12:2-3) to you (singular here) probably indicates that Job is directing his comments to Zophar.12:7-8 ask the animals . . . birds . . . earth . . . fish: Job believed that the reason for his misery was obvious and that even nature would understand it (Prov 6:6). Later, God directed Job’s attention to the animal kingdom to convince Job that he did not understand (Job 38–40).

12:9 from the hand of the Lord: This is the only place in the dialogues (chs 3–27; 29–37) that the Hebrew Yahweh (“the Lord”) is used. For Job, the dispute was not about who caused his misery but why it happened.

12:11 the mouth distinguishes between foods: See 6:6-7.

12:12 Wisdom belongs to the aged: Job’s friends defended this opinion (8:8-10; 15:10; 32:6-9), but Job questioned it (12:20).

12:17 stripped of good judgment: The NLT adds “of good judgment” for clarity. In this image, God metaphorically strips leaders of their abilities. It could also refer to being stripped of the symbols of office or to becoming naked captives (12:18-19).

12:18 When God removes the royal robe of kings, he takes away the symbols of their authority (cp. 19:9). It could also be translated as “God loosens the bonds of kings,” referring to the bondage they have imposed on others.

12:19 The priests are figuratively stripped of status (the NLT adds “of status” for clarity) or are actually stripped of priestly robes; they might even be naked captives (12:18).

12:21 pours disgrace upon princes: Cp. Ps 107:40. • disarms (literally looses the belt of): The strong are no longer girded for battle.

12:22 uncovers mysteries (literally uncovers the deeps): This phrase might allude to Zophar’s words that God’s knowledge is “deeper than the underworld” (11:8). • darkness . . . deepest gloom: The Old Testament often describes God as dwelling in darkness (1 Kgs 8:12; 2 Chr 6:1) and as manifesting himself through darkness (2 Sam 22:10, 12; Ps 18:9, 11), as when he gave the law at Sinai (Deut 4:11; 5:22-23) or when he comes in judgment (Zeph 1:15).

12:23-24 Cp. Dan 2:21. • strips kings of understanding: See Job 12:18; cp. Dan 4:23, 32-33. • He . . . leaves them wandering in a pathless wasteland like the princes in Ps 107:40 (see Job 12:21).

12:25 Perhaps foolish counsel made the kings stagger like drunkards (12:17; see Isa 19:14); it resulted from “drinking” God’s wrath (Ps 75:8; Jer 25:15-27).