God’s Word Translation
Job 12:17
17He leads counselors away barefoot and makes fools out of judges.
Job 12:17 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)He leadeth counsellors away spoiled, and maketh the judges fools.
- New International Version (NIV)He leads rulers away stripped and makes fools of judges.
- English Standard Version (ESV)He leads counselors away stripped, and judges he makes fools.
- New King James Version (NKJV)He leads counselors away plundered, And makes fools of the judges.
Context of Job 12:17
15When he holds back the waters, there is a drought. When he releases them, they flood the earth. 16“God has power and priceless wisdom. He owns ⌞both⌟ the deceiver and the person who is deceived. He leads counselors away barefoot and makes fools out of judges. 18He loosens kings’ belts and strips them of their pants. 19He leads priests away barefoot and misleads those who serve in a temple.
Read all of Job 12Job 12:17 word by word
מוֹלִ֣יךְ יוֹעֲצִ֣ים שׁוֹלָ֑ל וְֽשֹׁפְטִ֥ים יְהוֹלֵֽל׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Job 12:17
- 2 Samuel 15:31Then David was told, “Ahithophel is among those conspiring with Absalom.” So David prayed, “Lord, make Ahithophel’s advice foolish.”
- 2 Samuel 17:14Absalom and all the people of Israel said, “The advice of Hushai from Archi’s family is better than Ahithophel’s advice.” (The Lord had commanded Ahithophel’s good advice to be defeated in order to ruin Absalom.)
- Isaiah 19:12Where are your wise men now? Let them tell you. Let them explain what the Lord of Armies is planning against Egypt.
- Isaiah 29:14That is why I am going to do something completely amazing for these people once again. The wisdom of their wise people will disappear. The intelligence of their intelligent people will be hidden.”
- 1 Corinthians 1:19Scripture says, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise. I will reject the intelligence of intelligent people.”
Commentaries on Job 12:17
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 17He leadeth counsellors away spoiled - The events of war are also in his hand. It is he who gives victory; through him even the counsellors - the great men and chief men, are often led into captivity, and found among the spoils. And maketh the judges fools - He infatuates the judges. Does this refer to the foolish conduct of some of the Israelitish judges, such as Samson?Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 17He leadeth counsellors away spoiled - Plundered or captive. That is, the counsels of wise and great men do not avail against God. Statesmen who promised themselves victory as the result of their plans he disappoints, and leads away into captivity. The object of this is to show that God is superior over all, and also that people are not dealt with in exact accordance with their character and rank. God is a sovereign, and he shows his sovereignty when…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 12-25Verses 12-25 This is a noble discourse of Job concerning the wisdom, power, and sovereignty of God, in ordering all the affairs of the children of men, according to the counsel of His own will, which none can resist. It were well if wise and good men, who differ about lesser things, would see how it is for their honour and comfort, and the good of others, to dwell most upon the great things in which they agree. Here are no complaints, or reflections. He…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 17He leads counselors away barefoot: In this metaphor, God removes leaders' abilities. It could also mean losing the symbols of office or becoming naked captives (12:18–19).Read the comment
Topics related to Job 12:17
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Job 12
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
Commentaries