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Job 12:1-25

The Pulpit Commentary on Job 12:1-25

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

EXPOSITION

The discourse of Job, here begun, continues through three chapters (; ; .). It is thought to form the conclusion of the first day's colloquy. In it Job for the first time really pours scorn upon his friends, and makes a mock of them (see verses 2, 8, 20; ). This, however, is a secondary matter; his main object is to justify his previous assertions,

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And Job answered and said, No doubt but ye are the people. Bitterly ironical. Ye are those to whom alone it belongs to speak—the only "people" to whom attention is due. And wisdom shall die with you. "At your death," i.e; "all wisdom will have fled the earth; there will be no one left who knows anything." At least, no doubt, you think so.

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Matthew Henry on Job 12:1-5Job 12:1-5 · Matthew Henry Concise CommentaryJob upbraids his friends with the good opinion they had of their own wisdom compared with his. We are apt to call reproofs reproaches, and to think ourselves mocked when advised and admonished; this is our folly; yet he…Job's Reply to Zophar. (b. c. 1520.)Job 12:1-5 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleJOB'S REPLY TO ZOPHAR. (B. C. 1520.) 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 fol…The Pulpit Commentary on Job 12:1-5Job 12:1-5 · The Pulpit CommentaryJob to Zophar: 1. The conduct of the friends criticized. I. ARROGANT ASSUMPTION REPELLED. 1. With sarcastic admiration. "No doubt but ye are the people, and wisdom shall die with you." Irony is a weapon difficult and da…The Pulpit Commentary on Job 12:1-6Job 12:1-6 · The Pulpit CommentaryThe resentment of a wounded spirit. Repeated reproaches and accusations falling upon the conscience of an innocent man sting him into self-defence. They may do a service by rousing him out of stupor and weakness, and ma…The Pulpit Commentary on Job 12:1-6Job 12:1-6 · The Pulpit CommentaryContempt the lot of misfortune. Job is driven to retort. He affirms his own competency to speak. He claims equality with his would-be teachers, whose words are yet far from healing or comforting his sorely afflicted hea…
commentaryMatthew Henry on Job 12:1-5Job upbraids his friends with the good opinion they had of their own wisdom compared with his. We are apt to call reproofs reproaches, and to think ourselves mocked when advised and admonished; this is our folly; yet he…Matthew HenrycommentaryJob's Reply to Zophar. (b. c. 1520.)JOB'S REPLY TO ZOPHAR. (B. C. 1520.) 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 fol…Matthew HenrycommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Job 12:1-6Contempt the lot of misfortune. Job is driven to retort. He affirms his own competency to speak. He claims equality with his would-be teachers, whose words are yet far from healing or comforting his sorely afflicted hea…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Job 12:1-6The resentment of a wounded spirit. Repeated reproaches and accusations falling upon the conscience of an innocent man sting him into self-defence. They may do a service by rousing him out of stupor and weakness, and ma…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Job 12:1-5Job to Zophar: 1. The conduct of the friends criticized. I. ARROGANT ASSUMPTION REPELLED. 1. With sarcastic admiration. "No doubt but ye are the people, and wisdom shall die with you." Irony is a weapon difficult and da…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Job 12:2Irony. I. IRONY IS TO BE FOUND IN SCRIPTURE. There is great variety in the style of Scripture. Almost every modification of language is to be found in the Bible, consecrated to some holy purpose. Even the faculty of hum…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Job 12:3But I have understanding as well as you. "I, however, claim to have just as much understanding [literally, 'heart'] as you, and to be just as well entitled to speak, and to claim attention;" since I am not inferior to y…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Job 12:4I am as one mocked of his neighbour. You have accused me of mockery (Job 11:3): but it is I that have been mocked of you. The allusion is probably to Job 11:2, Job 11:3, Job 11:11, Job 11:12, and Job 11:20. Who calleth…Joseph S. Exell and contributors