HolyStudy
Bible IndexRead BibleNotesChurchesMissionPrivacyTermsContact
© 2026 HolyStudy
HomeRead BibleBible NotesChurchesSign in
HolyStudy
HomeRead BibleBible NotesChurches
Sign in

Job 12

1

And Job answered and said,

2

No doubt but ye are the people, and wisdom shall die with you.

1
3

But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you: yea, who knoweth not such things as these?

4

I am as one mocked of his neighbour, who calleth upon God, and he answereth him: the just upright man is laughed to scorn.

5

He that is ready to slip with his feet is as a lamp despised in the thought of him that is at ease.

6

The tabernacles of robbers prosper, and they that provoke God are secure; into whose hand God bringeth abundantly.

7

But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee:

8

Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee: and the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee.

9

Who knoweth not in all these that the hand of the Lord hath wrought this?

10

In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind.

2
11

Doth not the ear try words? and the mouth taste his meat?

12

With the ancient is wisdom; and in length of days understanding.

1
13

With him is wisdom and strength, he hath counsel and understanding.

14

Behold, he breaketh down, and it cannot be built again: he shutteth up a man, and there can be no opening.

15

Behold, he withholdeth the waters, and they dry up: also he sendeth them out, and they overturn the earth.

16

With him is strength and wisdom: the deceived and the deceiver are his.

1
17

He leadeth counsellors away spoiled, and maketh the judges fools.

1
18

He looseth the bond of kings, and girdeth their loins with a girdle.

19

He leadeth princes away spoiled, and overthroweth the mighty.

1
20

He removeth away the speech of the trusty, and taketh away the understanding of the aged.

21

He poureth contempt upon princes, and weakeneth the strength of the mighty.

22

He discovereth deep things out of darkness, and bringeth out to light the shadow of death.

23

He increaseth the nations, and destroyeth them: he enlargeth the nations, and straiteneth them again.

1
24

He taketh away the heart of the chief of the people of the earth, and causeth them to wander in a wilderness where there is no way.

25

They grope in the dark without light, and he maketh them to stagger like a drunken man.

← Previous ChapterNext Chapter →

Job 12:17

“He leadeth counsellors away spoiled, and maketh the judges fools.”

Study Summary

"He leads counselors away stripped, and judges he makes fools." Job's vision of divine power now specifically targets human authority and wisdom—counselors, judges, authorities are stripped and fooled by God. This verse dismantles the friends' appeal to traditional wisdom and authority. Their arguments, derived from the counsel of elders and the judgments of the wise, are precisely the sort of human wisdom that God strips bare.

Community Reflections

1
Adam Smith (test user)11h ago
The role of community — Job 12

God is faithful in every circumstance.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. My grandmother used to quote this verse every morning. I love how this passage doesn't shy away from the difficulty of obedience. God is faithful in every circumstance.. When we read this alongside the surrounding chapters, the narrative arc becomes clear: God is always working redemption, even in the darkest moments.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. The imagery here is agricultural — the original audience would have immediately understood the metaphor of sowing, waiting, and harvesting.. Now I understand why — it's a daily declaration of dependence on God.. When we read this alongside the surrounding chapters, the narrative arc becomes clear: God is always working redemption, even in the darkest moments.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. Faith isn't the absence of doubt —…

Read the note →

Job 12:17

“He leadeth counsellors away spoiled, and maketh the judges fools.”

Study Summary

"He leads counselors away stripped, and judges he makes fools." Job's vision of divine power now specifically targets human authority and wisdom—counselors, judges, authorities are stripped and fooled by God. This verse dismantles the friends' appeal to traditional wisdom and authority. Their arguments, derived from the counsel of elders and the judgments of the wise, are precisely the sort of human wisdom that God strips bare.

Community Reflections

1
Adam Smith (test user)11h ago
The role of community — Job 12

God is faithful in every circumstance.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. My grandmother used to quote this verse every morning. I love how this passage doesn't shy away from the difficulty of obedience. God is faithful in every circumstance.. When we read this alongside the surrounding chapters, the narrative arc becomes clear: God is always working redemption, even in the darkest moments.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. The imagery here is agricultural — the original audience would have immediately understood the metaphor of sowing, waiting, and harvesting.. Now I understand why — it's a daily declaration of dependence on God.. When we read this alongside the surrounding chapters, the narrative arc becomes clear: God is always working redemption, even in the darkest moments.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. Faith isn't the absence of doubt —…

Read the note →

Job 12:17

"He leads counselors away stripped, and judges he makes fools." Job's vision of divine power now specifically targets human authority and wisdom—counselors, judges, authorities are stripped and fooled by God. This verse dismantles the friends' appeal to traditional wisdom and authority. Their arguments, derived from the counsel of elders and the judgments of the wise, are precisely the sort of human wisdom that God strips bare.