New English Translation
Job 12:14
14If he tears down, it cannot be rebuilt; if he imprisons a person, there is no escape.
Job 12:14 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Behold, he breaketh down, and it cannot be built again: he shutteth up a man, and there can be no opening.
- New International Version (NIV)What he tears down cannot be rebuilt; those he imprisons cannot be released.
- English Standard Version (ESV)If he tears down, none can rebuild; if he shuts a man in, none can open.
- New King James Version (NKJV)If He breaks a thing down, it cannot be rebuilt; If He imprisons a man, there can be no release.
Context of Job 12:14
12Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding? 13“With God are wisdom and power; counsel and understanding are his. If he tears down, it cannot be rebuilt; if he imprisons a person, there is no escape. 15If he holds back the waters, then they dry up; if he releases them, they destroy the land. 16With him are strength and prudence; both the one who goes astray and the one who misleads are his.
Read all of Job 12Job 12:14 word by word
הֵ֣ן יַ֭הֲרוֹס וְלֹ֣א יִבָּנֶ֑ה יִסְגֹּ֥ר עַל־אִ֝֗ישׁ וְלֹ֣א יִפָּתֵֽחַ׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Job 12:14
- Job 9:12If he snatches away, who can turn him back? Who dares to say to him, ‘What are you doing?’
- Job 11:10If he comes by and confines you and convenes a court, then who can prevent him?
- Isaiah 14:23“I will turn her into a place that is overrun with wild animals and covered with pools of stagnant water. I will get rid of her, just as one sweeps away dirt with a broom,” says the Lord who commands armies.
- Jeremiah 51:58This is what the Lord who rules over all says, “Babylon’s thick wall will be completely demolished. Her high gates will be set on fire. The peoples strive for what does not satisfy. The nations grow weary trying to get what will be destroyed.”
- Malachi 1:4Edom says, “Though we are devastated, we will once again build the ruined places.” So the Lord who rules over all responds, “They indeed may build, but I will overthrow. They will be known as the land of evil, the people with whom the Lord is permanently displeased.
- Job 16:11God abandons me to evil men, and throws me into the hands of wicked men.
- 1 Samuel 17:46This very day the Lord will deliver you into my hand! I will strike you down and cut off your head. This day I will give the corpses of the Philistine army to the birds of the sky and the wild animals of the land. Then all the land will realize that Israel has a God
- 1 Samuel 24:18You have explained today how you have treated me well. The Lord delivered me into your hand, but you did not kill me.
- 1 Samuel 26:8Abishai said to David, “Today God has delivered your enemy into your hands. Now let me drive the spear right through him into the ground with one swift jab! A second jab won’t be necessary!”
- Isaiah 22:22I will place the key to the house of David on his shoulder. When he opens the door, no one can close it; when he closes the door, no one can open it.
- Romans 11:32For God has consigned all people to disobedience so that he may show mercy to them all.
- Revelation 3:7“To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write the following: “This is the solemn pronouncement of the Holy One, the True One, who holds the key of David, who opens doors no one can shut, and shuts doors no one can open:
Commentaries on Job 12:14
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 14He breaketh down - He alone can create, and he alone can destroy. Nothing can be annihilated but by the same Power that created it. This is a most remarkable fact. No power, skill, or cunning of man can annihilate the smallest particle of matter. Man, by chemical agency, may change its form; but to reduce it to nothing belongs to God alone. In the course of his providence God breaks down, so that it cannot be built up again. See proofs of this in the…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 14Behold, he breaketh down - None can repair what he pulls down. Cities and towns he can devote to ruin by fire, or earthquake, or the pestilence, and so completely destroy them that they can never be rebuilt. We may now refer to such illustrations as Sodom, Babylon, Petra, Tyre, Herculaneum, and Pompeii, as full proof of what is here affirmed. He shutteth up a man - He can shut up a man in such difficulties and straits that he cannot extricate himself; see…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
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1414. shutteth up--(Is 22:22). Job refers to Zophar's "shut up" (Job 11:10).Read the comment
Topics related to Job 12:14
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
New English Translation — © 1996-2016 Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C.
Commentaries