Job 12 21

Job 12:21 kjv

He poureth contempt upon princes, and weakeneth the strength of the mighty.

Job 12:21 nkjv

He pours contempt on princes, And disarms the mighty.

Job 12:21 niv

He pours contempt on nobles and disarms the mighty.

Job 12:21 esv

He pours contempt on princes and loosens the belt of the strong.

Job 12:21 nlt

He pours disgrace upon princes
and disarms the strong.

Job 12 verses

Job 12 21 Meaning

The verse proclaims God's supreme authority and ability to dismantle human hierarchies and pride. It means that God takes direct and overwhelming action to humiliate and strip power from those in positions of high status, authority, and perceived might. This underscores that all human strength, influence, and social standing are temporary and ultimately subject to the sovereign will of God.

Job 12 21 Context

Job 12:21 is a pivotal part of Job's profound second discourse, a direct reply to the traditional arguments of his friends. In this segment (Job 12:7-25), Job meticulously elaborates on God's unquestionable wisdom, absolute power, and ultimate control over creation and human destiny, standing in stark contrast to human limitation and fragility. Unlike his friends who rigidly adhered to a retribution theology, asserting that suffering is always a direct result of sin, Job presents a God whose ways are complex, often inscrutable to humans, and extend far beyond simplistic cause-and-effect justice. He offers various illustrations of God's dominion, including His capacity to humble the seemingly wise, divest the powerful of their strength, and dethrone rulers. This particular verse zeroes in on God's power to publicly degrade and disempower the most eminent and robust human figures, making it clear that no human, regardless of their status or might, is impervious to divine authority. The preceding verses systematically build up to this climax by detailing God's control over life, death, judgment, and the fortunes of men.

Job 12 21 Word analysis

• He: Refers unequivocally to God, Yahweh. This singular focus on God throughout Job's speech (starting from verse 13) highlights the divine actor's sole and ultimate authority over all things.
• pours: Hebrew "shofekh" (שׁוֹפֵךְ). This verb signifies an overflowing, abundant, and forceful action, much like emptying a vessel in a single deluge. It indicates not a minor action, but a comprehensive, decisive, and overwhelming release of something. This communicates the totality and unmitigated nature of God's act.
• contempt: Hebrew "bûz" (בּוּז). This term means scorn, disdain, irreverence, or making something worthless. It implies more than mere disregard; it suggests active humiliation and the public degradation of an individual's honor and status, reducing them to an object of scorn and disgrace.
• on princes: Hebrew "nădı̂bım" (נְדִיבִים). This word refers to nobles, rulers, or individuals of esteemed social standing and high birth. In ancient Near Eastern societies, these were the societal elite, wielding significant influence and respect. By specifically targeting "princes," the verse dramatically illustrates God's capacity to undermine the most secure and prestigious human positions, showing that earthly rank provides no safeguard against divine intervention.
• and disarms: This English rendition captures the essence of the Hebrew verb "khalaṣ" (חָלַץ). While "khalaṣ" has a range of meanings including "to draw out, strip off, take off," its most fitting interpretation here, in the context of power figures, is "to loosen the belt/girdle" (a symbol of strength and readiness, particularly in combat) or to "strip them." This action implies the removal of strength, dignity, and authority, rendering them powerless and vulnerable.
• the mighty: Hebrew "ăqiqim" (אַקִּים). This less common term denotes strength and robustness, often signifying those who are physically strong, firm, or valiant. Paired with "princes," this term expands the scope of God's power to include not only those with political authority but also those celebrated for their physical prowess, military strength, or overall robust capability.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• He pours contempt: This phrase foregrounds God’s active, sovereign role in human affairs. The imagery is powerful and suggests an intentional and overwhelming act that subverts established social norms and humbles the exalted. It indicates an immediate and effective divine intervention to nullify human authority.
• on princes and disarms the mighty: This a poetic parallelism emphasizes the universal reach of God's control over human power structures. "Princes" refers to those elevated by their status and leadership, while "the mighty" denotes those robust in physical, military, or general influence. Together, they represent the apex of human societal and personal power. God’s simultaneous action against both categories profoundly asserts that no human position or strength can ultimately stand independent of or resist His will, serving as a direct challenge to human self-sufficiency.

Job 12 21 Bonus section

This verse from Job carries significant thematic resonance with later wisdom literature and prophetic writings within the Bible. The concept of God arbitrarily casting down rulers, irrespective of apparent earthly "justice" as perceived by humans, resonates deeply with the messages found in prophetic books like Isaiah and Jeremiah. These books consistently warn against human pride and the folly of trusting in human strength or alliances rather than God. Furthermore, the almost identical phrasing of "He pours contempt on princes" in Psa 107:40 suggests that this was a recognized expression within Israelite wisdom tradition, highlighting a consistent understanding of God's humbling power. In the broader theological landscape, this theme culminates in the New Testament's "Great Reversal" exemplified in Mary's Magnificat (Luke 1:52-53), where the mighty are brought down and the humble are exalted, echoing the same divine principle first articulated by Job concerning God's unparalleled dominion over human fortunes.

Job 12 21 Commentary

Job 12:21 profoundly illustrates one of the core theological tenets of the Book of Job: God's absolute and inscrutable sovereignty. Job contends that God operates on a plane far beyond human comprehension of justice or fairness. He posits that the same divine power controlling creation also orchestrates the rise and fall of human authorities. The vivid imagery of "pouring contempt" conveys God's deliberate and overwhelming act of stripping away dignity and honor from those most respected in human society. This is immediately reinforced by "disarms the mighty," symbolizing the complete removal of their power, authority, and capacity to act effectively. This dual action underscores that all human power is delegated by God and can be unilaterally revoked by Him at any moment. The verse thus serves as a powerful testament to the transience of human authority and a potent critique of any pride or confidence placed in earthly status. It challenges the conventional wisdom of Job's friends by showing that God, in His sovereign wisdom, brings low even the highest echelons of society for purposes that often remain hidden from human eyes.