Read the Bible — American Standard Version · Job

Job 12

1 Then Job answered and said,

Cross references & Strong's
Cross references (TSK): Job 3:2 · Isaiah 27:1
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • And Job H347 (אִיּוֹב) — Ijob, the patriarch famous for his patience
  • answered H6030 (עָנָה) — properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e. pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout, testify, a…
  • and said H559 (אָמַר) — to say (used with great latitude)

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

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • No doubt H551 (אׇמְנָם) — verily
  • the people H5971 (עַם) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
  • and wisdom H2451 (חׇכְמָה) — wisdom (in a good sense)
  • shall die H4191 (מוּת) — to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

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

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • But H1571 (גַּם) — properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
  • I have understanding H3824 (לֵבָב) — the heart (as the most interior organ);
  • not inferior H5307 (נָפַל) — to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
  • to you: yea, who knoweth not such things H3644 (כְּמוֹ) — as, thus, so

4 I am as one that is a laughing-stock to his neighbor, I who called upon God, and he answered: The just, the perfect man is a laughing-stock.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • one mocked H7814 (שְׂחוֹק) — laughter (in merriment or defiance)
  • of his neighbour H7453 (רֵעַ) — an associate (more or less close)
  • who calleth H7121 (קָרָא) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
  • upon God H433 (אֱלוֹהַּ) — a deity or the Deity
  • and he answereth H6030 (עָנָה) — properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e. pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout, testify, a…
  • him: the just H6662 (צַדִּיק) — just
  • upright H8549 (תָּמִים) — entire (literally, figuratively or morally); also (as noun) integrity, truth
  • laughed to scorn H7814 (שְׂחוֹק) — laughter (in merriment or defiance)

5 In the thought of him that is at ease there is contempt for misfortune; It is ready for them whose foot slippeth.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • He that is ready H3559 (כּוּן) — properly, to be erect (i.e. stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix, prepare, a…
  • to slip H4571 (מָעַד) — to waver
  • feet H7272 (רֶגֶל) — a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda
  • a lamp H3940 (לַפִּיד) — a flambeau, lamp or flame
  • despised H937 (בּוּז) — disrespect
  • in the thought H6248 (עַשְׁתּוּת) — cogitation
  • of him that is at ease H7600 (שַׁאֲנָן) — secure; in a bad sense, haughty

6 The tents of robbers prosper, And they that provoke God are secure; Into whose hand God bringeth abundantly.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • The tabernacles H168 (אֹהֶל) — a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)
  • of robbers H7703 (שָׁדַד) — properly, to be burly, i.e. (figuratively) powerful (passively, impregnable); by implication, to ravage
  • prosper H7951 (שָׁלָה) — to be tranquil, i.e. secure or successful
  • and they that provoke H7264 (רָגַז) — to quiver (with any violent emotion, especially anger or fear)
  • God H410 (אֵל) — strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the Almighty (but used also of any deity)
  • are secure H987 (בַּטֻּחוֹת) — security
  • into whose hand H3027 (יָד) — a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from 3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great variety of a…
  • God H433 (אֱלוֹהַּ) — a deity or the Deity
  • bringeth H935 (בּוֹא) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

7 But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; And the birds of the heavens, and they shall tell thee:

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • But H199 (אוּלָם) — however or on the contrary
  • ask H7592 (שָׁאַל) — to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand
  • now the beasts H929 (בְּהֵמָה) — properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective)
  • and they shall teach H3384 (יָרָה) — properly, to flow as water (i.e. to rain); transitively, to lay or throw (especially an arrow, i.e. to shoot); figuratively, to point out (as if by aiming the f…
  • thee; and the fowls H5775 (עוֹף) — a bird (as covered with feathers, or rather as covering with wings), often collectively
  • of the air H8064 (שָׁמַיִם) — the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies revolve)
  • and they shall tell H5046 (נָגַד) — properly, to front, i.e. stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to one present…

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

Cross references & Strong's
Cross references (TSK): Genesis 1:25
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • Or speak H7878 (שִׂיחַ) — to ponder, i.e. (by implication) converse (with oneself, and hence, aloud) or (transitively) utter
  • to the earth H776 (אֶרֶץ) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
  • and it shall teach H3384 (יָרָה) — properly, to flow as water (i.e. to rain); transitively, to lay or throw (especially an arrow, i.e. to shoot); figuratively, to point out (as if by aiming the f…
  • thee: and the fishes H1709 (דָּג) — a fish (often used collectively)
  • of the sea H3220 (יָם) — a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the Mediterranean Sea; sometimes a large river, or an artifical basin…
  • shall declare H5608 (סָפַר) — properly, to score with a mark as a tally or record, i.e. (by implication) to inscribe, and also to enumerate; intensively, to recount, i.e. celebrate

9 Who knoweth not in all these, That the hand of Jehovah hath wrought this,

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • Who knoweth H3045 (יָדַע) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation…
  • not in all these that the hand H3027 (יָד) — a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from 3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great variety of a…
  • of Yhwh H3068 (יְהֹוָה) — (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jeho-vah, Jewish national name of God
  • hath wrought H6213 (עָשָׂה) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

10 In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, And the breath of all mankind?

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • In whose hand H3027 (יָד) — a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from 3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great variety of a…
  • the soul H5315 (נֶפֶשׁ) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental)
  • of every living thing H2416 (חַי) — alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or living thing),…
  • and the breath H7307 (רוּחַ) — wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the sky; by re…
  • of all mankind H1320 (בָּשָׂר) — flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man
  • of all mankind H376 (אִישׁ) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

11 Doth not the ear try words, Even as the palate tasteth its food?

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • Doth not the ear H241 (אֹזֶן) — broadness. i.e. (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)
  • try H974 (בָּחַן) — to test (especially metals); generally and figuratively, to investigate
  • words H4405 (מִלָּה) — a word; collectively, a discourse; figuratively, a topic
  • and the mouth H2441 (חֵךְ) — properly, the palate or inside of the mouth; hence, the mouth itself (as the organ of speech, taste and kissing)
  • taste H2938 (טָעַם) — to taste; figuratively, to perceive
  • his meat H400 (אֹכֶל) — food

12 With aged men is wisdom, And in length of days understanding.

Cross references & Strong's
Cross references (TSK): 1 Kings 12:6 · Job 8:8 · Job 15:10 · Job 32:6 · Job 32:7
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • With the ancient H3453 (יָשִׁישׁ) — an old man
  • wisdom H2451 (חׇכְמָה) — wisdom (in a good sense)
  • and in length H753 (אֹרֶךְ) — length
  • of days H3117 (יוֹם) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated ter…
  • understanding H8394 (תָּבוּן) — intelligence; by implication, an argument; by extension, caprice

13 With God is wisdom and might; He hath counsel and understanding.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • wisdom H2451 (חׇכְמָה) — wisdom (in a good sense)
  • and strength H1369 (גְּבוּרָה) — force (literally or figuratively); by implication, valor, victory
  • he hath counsel H6098 (עֵצָה) — advice; by implication, plan; also prudence
  • and understanding H8394 (תָּבוּן) — intelligence; by implication, an argument; by extension, caprice

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

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • Behold, he breaketh down H2040 (הָרַס) — to pull down or in pieces, break, destroy
  • and it cannot be built again H1129 (בָּנָה) — to build (literally and figuratively)
  • he shutteth up H5462 (סָגַר) — to shut up; figuratively, to surrender
  • a man H376 (אִישׁ) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
  • and there can be no opening H6605 (פָּתַח) — to open wide (literally or figuratively); specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve

15 Behold, he withholdeth the waters, and they dry up; Again, he sendeth them out, and they overturn the earth.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • Behold, he withholdeth H6113 (עָצָר) — to inclose; by analogy, to hold back; also to maintain, rule, assemble
  • the waters H4325 (מַיִם) — water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
  • and they dry up H3001 (יָבֵשׁ) — to be ashamed, confused or disappointed; also (as failing) to dry up (as water) or wither (as herbage)
  • also he sendeth them out H7971 (שָׁלַח) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
  • and they overturn H2015 (הָפַךְ) — to turn about or over; by implication, to change, overturn, return, pervert
  • the earth H776 (אֶרֶץ) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

16 With him is strength and wisdom; The deceived and the deceiver are his.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • strength H5797 (עֹז) — strength in various applications (force, security, majesty, praise)
  • and wisdom H8454 (תּוּשִׁיָּה) — support or (by implication) ability, i.e. (direct) help, (in purpose) an undertaking, (intellectual) understanding
  • the deceived H7683 (שָׁגַג) — to stray, i.e. (figuratively) sin (with more or less apology)
  • and the deceiver H7686 (שָׁגָה) — to stray (causatively, mislead), usually (figuratively) to mistake, especially (morally) to transgress; by extension (through the idea of intoxication) to reel,…

17 He leadeth counsellors away stripped, And judges maketh he fools.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • He leadeth H3212 (יָלַךְ) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses)
  • counsellors H3289 (יָעַץ) — to advise; reflexively, to deliberate or resolve
  • away spoiled H7758 (שׁוֹלָל) — nude (especially bare-foot); by implication, captive
  • and maketh the judges H8199 (שָׁפַט) — to judge, i.e. pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or punish; by extenssion, to govern; passively, to litigate (literally or figur…
  • fools H1984 (הָלַל) — to be clear (orig. of sound, but usually of color); to shine; hence, to make a show, to boast; and thus to be (clamorously) foolish; to rave; causatively, to ce…

18 He looseth the bond of kings, And he bindeth their loins with a girdle.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • He looseth H6605 (פָּתַח) — to open wide (literally or figuratively); specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve
  • the bond H4148 (מוּסָר) — properly, chastisement; figuratively, reproof, warning or instruction; also restraint
  • of kings H4428 (מֶלֶךְ) — a king
  • and girdeth H631 (אָסַר) — to yoke or hitch; by analogy, to fasten in any sense, to join battle
  • their loins H4975 (מֹתֶן) — properly, the waist or small of the back; only in plural the loins
  • with a girdle H232 (אֵזוֹר) — something girt; a belt, also a band

19 He leadeth priests away stripped, And overthroweth the mighty.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • He leadeth H3212 (יָלַךְ) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses)
  • princes H3548 (כֹּהֵן) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
  • away spoiled H7758 (שׁוֹלָל) — nude (especially bare-foot); by implication, captive
  • and overthroweth H5557 (סָלַף) — properly, to wrench, i.e. (figuratively) to subvert
  • the mighty H386 (אֵיתָן) — permanence; hence (concrete) permanent; specifically a chieftain

20 He removeth the speech of the trusty, And taketh away the understanding of the elders.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • He removeth away H5493 (סוּר) — to turn off (literally or figuratively)
  • the speech H8193 (שָׂפָה) — the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc.)
  • of the trusty H539 (אָמַן) — properly, to build up or support; to foster as a parent or nurse; figuratively to render (or be) firm or faithful, to trust or believe, to be permanent or quiet…
  • and taketh away H3947 (לָקַח) — to take (in the widest variety of applications)
  • the understanding H2940 (טַעַם) — properly, a taste, i.e. (figuratively) perception; by implication, intelligence; transitively, a mandate
  • of the aged H2205 (זָקֵן) — old

21 He poureth contempt upon princes, And looseth the belt of the strong.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • He poureth H8210 (שָׁפַךְ) — to spill forth (blood, a libation, liquid metal; or even a solid, i.e. to mound up); also (figuratively) to expend (life, soul, complaint, money, etc.); intensi…
  • contempt H937 (בּוּז) — disrespect
  • upon princes H5081 (נָדִיב) — properly, voluntary, i.e. generous; hence, magnanimous; as noun, a grandee (sometimes a tyrant)
  • and weakeneth H7503 (רָפָה) — to slacken (in many applications, literal or figurative)
  • the strength H4206 (מָזִיחַ) — a belt (as movable)
  • of the mighty H650 (אָפִיק) — properly, containing, i.e. a tube; also a bed or valley of a stream; also a strong thing or a hero

22 He uncovereth deep things out of darkness, And bringeth out to light the shadow of death.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • He discovereth H1540 (גָּלָה) — to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being usually stripped); figuratively, to reveal
  • deep things H6013 (עָמֹק) — deep (literally or figuratively)
  • out of darkness H2822 (חֹשֶׁךְ) — the dark; hence (literally) darkness; figuratively, misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness
  • and bringeth out H3318 (יָצָא) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim.
  • to light H216 (אוֹר) — illumination or (concrete) luminary (in every sense, including lightning, happiness, etc.)
  • the shadow of death H6757 (צַלְמָוֶת) — shade of death, i.e. the grave (figuratively, calamity)

23 He increaseth the nations, and he destroyeth them: He enlargeth the nations, and he leadeth them captive.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • He increaseth H7679 (שָׂגָא) — to grow, i.e. (causatively) to enlarge, (figuratively) laud
  • the nations H1471 (גּוֹי) — a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
  • and destroyeth H6 (אָבַד) — properly, to wander away, i.e. lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy)
  • them: he enlargeth H7849 (שָׁטַח) — to expand
  • and straiteneth H5148 (נָחָה) — to guide; by implication, to transport (into exile, or as colonists)

24 He taketh away understanding from the chiefs of the people of the earth, And causeth them to wander in a wilderness where there is no way.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • He taketh away H5493 (סוּר) — to turn off (literally or figuratively)
  • the heart H3820 (לֵב) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything
  • of the chief H7218 (רֹאשׁ) — the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
  • of the people H5971 (עַם) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
  • of the earth H776 (אֶרֶץ) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
  • and causeth them to wander H8582 (תָּעָה) — to vacillate, i.e. reel or stray (literally or figuratively); also causative of both
  • in a wilderness H8414 (תֹּהוּ) — a desolation (of surface), i.e. desert; figuratively, a worthless thing; adverbially, in vain
  • no way H1870 (דֶּרֶךְ) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb

25 They grope in the dark without light; And he maketh them to stagger like a drunken man.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • They grope H4959 (מָשַׁשׁ) — to feel of; by implication, to grope
  • in the dark H2822 (חֹשֶׁךְ) — the dark; hence (literally) darkness; figuratively, misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness
  • without light H216 (אוֹר) — illumination or (concrete) luminary (in every sense, including lightning, happiness, etc.)
  • and he maketh them to stagger H8582 (תָּעָה) — to vacillate, i.e. reel or stray (literally or figuratively); also causative of both
  • drunken H7910 (שִׁכּוֹר) — intoxicated, as a state or a habit