God’s Word Translation
Job 9:12
12He takes something away, ⌞but⌟ who can stop him? Who is going to ask him, ‘What are you doing?’
Job 9:12 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Behold, he taketh away, who can hinder him? who will say unto him, What doest thou?
- New International Version (NIV)If he snatches away, who can stop him? Who can say to him, ‘What are you doing?’
- English Standard Version (ESV)Behold, he snatches away; who can turn him back? Who will say to him, 'What are you doing?'
- New King James Version (NKJV)If He takes away, who can hinder Him? Who can say to Him, ‘What are You doing?’
Context of Job 9:12
10He does great things that are unsearchable and miracles that cannot be numbered. 11He passes alongside of me, and I don’t even see him. He goes past me, and I don’t even notice him. He takes something away, ⌞but⌟ who can stop him? Who is going to ask him, ‘What are you doing?’ 13God does not hold back his anger. Even Rahab’s helpers bow humbly in front of him. 14“How can I possibly answer God? How can I find the right words ⌞to speak⌟ with him?
Read all of Job 9Job 9:12 word by word
הֵ֣ן יַ֭חְתֹּף מִ֣י יְשִׁיבֶ֑נּוּ מִֽי־יֹאמַ֥ר אֵ֝לָ֗יו מַֽה־תַּעֲשֶֽׂה׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Job 9:12
- Job 23:13“But God is one of a kind. Who can make him change his mind? He does whatever he wants!
- Job 34:29If he keeps quiet, who can condemn him? If he hides his face, who can see him whether it is a nation or a single person?
- Daniel 4:35Everyone who lives on earth is nothing compared to him. He does whatever he wishes with the army of heaven and with those who live on earth. There is no one who can oppose him or ask him, “What are you doing?”
- Ephesians 1:11God also decided ahead of time to choose us through Christ according to his plan, which makes everything work the way he intends.
- Job 11:10If God comes along and imprisons ⌞someone⌟ and then calls a court into session, who can stop him?
- Job 33:13Why do you quarrel with him since he doesn’t answer any questions?
- Isaiah 45:9How horrible it will be for the one who quarrels with his maker. He is pottery among other earthenware pots. Does the clay ask the one who shapes it, “What are you making?” Does your work say to you, “There are no handles”?
- Jeremiah 18:6“Nation of Israel, can’t I do with you as this potter does with clay? Nation of Israel, you are like the clay in the potter’s hands.
- Matthew 11:26Yes, Father, this is what pleased you.
- Matthew 20:15Can’t I do what I want with my own money? Or do you resent my generosity towards others?’
- Romans 9:18Therefore, if God wants to be kind to anyone, he will be. If he wants to make someone stubborn, he will.
- Romans 11:34“Who knows how the Lord thinks? Who can become his adviser?”
Commentaries on Job 9:12
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 12He taketh away - He never gives, but he is ever lending: and while the gift is useful or is improved, he permits it to remain; but when it becomes useless or is misused, he recalls it. Who can hinder him? - Literally, Who can cause him to restore it? What doest thou? - He is supreme, and will give account of none of his matters. He is infinitely wise, and cannot mistake. He is infinitely kind, and can do nothing cruel. He is infinitely good, and can do…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 12Behold, he taketh away - Property, friends, or life. Who can hinder him? - Margin, turn him away. Or, rather, “who shall cause him to restore?” that is, who can bring back what he takes away? He is so mighty, that what he removes, it is impossible for us to recover. Who will say unto him, What doest thou? - A similar expression occurs in Daniel 4:35. The meaning is plain. God has a right to remove any thing which we possess. Our friends, property, health…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1-35Job answered Bildad by describing God's universal and legal power. His speech resembles a complex legal case. It includes: A summons and response (9:3, 14–16, 19b, 32). The risk of proving himself guilty (9:20). A "mediator" (9:33–34). A question of accusation (9:12). A legal sentence (9:22). A declaration of guilt (9:28–30).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1212. If "He taketh away," as in my case all that was dear to me, still a mortal cannot call Him to account. He only takes His own. He is an absolute King (Ec 8:4; Da 4:35).Read the comment
Topics related to Job 9:12
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Job 9
- 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
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
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