Job 36 12

Job 36:12 kjv

But if they obey not, they shall perish by the sword, and they shall die without knowledge.

Job 36:12 nkjv

But if they do not obey, They shall perish by the sword, And they shall die without knowledge.

Job 36:12 niv

But if they do not listen, they will perish by the sword and die without knowledge.

Job 36:12 esv

But if they do not listen, they perish by the sword and die without knowledge.

Job 36:12 nlt

But if they refuse to listen to him,
they will cross over the river of death,
dying from lack of understanding.

Job 36 verses

Job 36 12 Meaning

Job 36:12 pronounces a clear warning: if individuals refuse to heed divine instruction and stubbornly persist in disobedience, they will inevitably face destruction. This judgment is characterized by a violent end, often symbolized by the sword, and, critically, by dying without true spiritual knowledge or understanding of God's ways.

Job 36 12 Context

Job 36:12 is part of Elihu’s third discourse (Job 36:1-37:24), which serves as a major interjection in the theological debate between Job and his three friends. Elihu, younger and more balanced than the friends, claims to speak on God's behalf to clarify His justice and wisdom. His core argument in this section is that God uses suffering not only as a punishment for sin but also as a means of discipline and instruction, aimed at leading individuals to repentance and deeper understanding. In verse 12, Elihu is emphasizing God's strict justice regarding willful defiance. He asserts that when God’s instruction is continuously rejected—a position he perceives Job might be nearing through his constant questioning—then divine judgment inevitably follows, manifesting in both physical destruction and spiritual impoverishment, where one dies without acknowledging God or His truth. This contrasts with Elihu’s prior points that suffering can be redemptive for the responsive.

Job 36 12 Word analysis

• But if they obey not (wĕ’im lo' yišmā‘u וְאִם לֹא יִשְׁמָעוּ):

  • šāma‘ (שָׁמַע): To hear, listen, obey. Here, prefixed with lo' (לֹא), indicating an active, deliberate refusal or failure to heed and comply. It’s not a passive ignorance but a volitional defiance or hardening of heart against divine instruction or warning. This rejection implies rebellion against God's sovereign authority and His revealed will.

• they shall perish (yibʼaggēphû יִבָּגְפוּ):

  • From bagaph (בָּגַף): Often implying to be shattered, struck down, smitten, or annihilated. It signifies a complete and violent destruction, not just fading away. The verb suggests a decisive action leading to ruin or eradication, often from a powerful agent like God.

• by the sword (baḥerev בַּחֶרֶב):

  • ḥerev (חֶרֶב): Literally a sword, a sharp instrument of war. In biblical usage, it often functions as a metaphor or instrument for divine judgment, warfare, and violent, conclusive death. It points to a direct, punitive action from God, whether through human agents, natural calamity, or other destructive means under His command.

• and they shall die (wĕyāmutū וְיָמוּתוּ):

  • mūt (מ֫וּת): The common Hebrew verb for physical death. Its inclusion here reinforces the finality and severity of "perish," stressing that the judgment is ultimately fatal.

• without knowledge (wĕlōʼ bĕda‘at וְלֹא בְדָעַת):

  • da‘at (דַּעַת): More than intellectual knowledge, da‘at signifies deep understanding, discernment, insight, wisdom, and often implies an intimate relationship or proper acknowledgement of God and His ways. Dying "without knowledge" implies perishing in a state of spiritual ignorance, separated from God’s truth, understanding, or saving wisdom. Their end is not merely physical death but spiritual bankruptcy and alienation from God’s truth and purpose.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "obey not, they shall perish by the sword, and they shall die without knowledge": This powerful sequence presents a cause-and-effect relationship. Willful refusal to submit to God's ways (obey not) directly precipitates violent judgment and utter destruction (perish by the sword), culminating in an end devoid of spiritual light or understanding (die without knowledge). It paints a grim picture of persistent defiance leading to a spiritually bankrupt and violent end. The physical consequence ("sword," "die") is powerfully linked to the spiritual state ("without knowledge"), indicating that one’s rebellious spiritual condition leads to both temporal and eternal destruction.

Job 36 12 Bonus section

• Elihu's perspective: Elihu presents God as one who desires to correct and instruct (Job 36:10), but also as a sovereign Judge whose righteousness demands accountability. While Elihu correctly articulates the general principle of cause and effect concerning sin and judgment, his specific application to Job's innocent suffering is limited, failing to fully grasp God's deeper, testing purposes in Job’s case.
• Significance of "Knowledge" (da'at): In wisdom literature, da'at is often associated with wisdom (hokmah) and fear of the Lord. To die "without knowledge" is to die without truly knowing God, understanding His laws, or benefiting from His guidance, a truly pitiable and hopeless state from a biblical perspective (Prov 1:7; Hos 4:6). This is far more severe than mere intellectual ignorance; it is spiritual destitution.
• The "Sword" as a motif: Beyond a literal weapon, the "sword" is often used metaphorically for destructive judgment or punishment administered by God directly or through His agents (e.g., Jer 50:35-37; Rev 1:16, 19:15). In this context, it underlines the inescapable nature of God's punitive justice against willful rebellion.

Job 36 12 Commentary

Job 36:12 serves as a stern warning from Elihu, articulating a fundamental principle of divine justice: persistent and defiant refusal to obey God's voice results in severe consequences. This verse posits that if individuals are presented with truth and guidance but choose to ignore or reject it, their end will be characterized by violent destruction, symbolized by "the sword." More profoundly, their death will occur "without knowledge," indicating a state of spiritual blindness and estrangement from God's wisdom and saving grace. Elihu highlights that the ultimate tragedy of such a rebellious life is not just physical perishing but also a final separation from true understanding of God's ways and purposes, leaving them lost in spiritual darkness. It emphasizes God's patience and desire for repentance, but also His unyielding justice when persistent rebellion is chosen over obedience and seeking divine wisdom.