Matthew Henry on Job 12:1-5

Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · Matthew Henry · CC0 1.0 Universal

Job upbraids his friends with the good opinion they had of their own wisdom compared with his. We are apt to call reproofs reproaches, and to think ourselves mocked when advised and admonished; this is our folly; yet here was colour for this charge.

He suspected the true cause of their conduct to be, that they despised him who was fallen into poverty. It is the way of the world. Even the just, upright man, if he comes under a cloud, is looked upon with contempt.

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commentaryJob's Reply to Zophar. (b. c. 1520.)JOB'S REPLY TO ZOPHAR. (B. C. 1520.) The reproofs Job here gives to his friends, whether they were just or no, were very sharp, and may serve for a rebuke to all that are proud and scornful, and an exposure of their fol…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Job 12:1-6Contempt the lot of misfortune. Job is driven to retort. He affirms his own competency to speak. He claims equality with his would-be teachers, whose words are yet far from healing or comforting his sorely afflicted hea…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Job 12:1-25EXPOSITION The discourse of Job, here begun, continues through three chapters (Job 12:1-25; Job 13:1-28; Job 14:1-22.). It is thought to form the conclusion of the first day's colloquy. In it Job for the first time real…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Job 12:1-6The resentment of a wounded spirit. Repeated reproaches and accusations falling upon the conscience of an innocent man sting him into self-defence. They may do a service by rousing him out of stupor and weakness, and ma…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Job 12:1-5Job to Zophar: 1. The conduct of the friends criticized. I. ARROGANT ASSUMPTION REPELLED. 1. With sarcastic admiration. "No doubt but ye are the people, and wisdom shall die with you." Irony is a weapon difficult and da…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Job 12:2Irony. I. IRONY IS TO BE FOUND IN SCRIPTURE. There is great variety in the style of Scripture. Almost every modification of language is to be found in the Bible, consecrated to some holy purpose. Even the faculty of hum…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Job 12:3But I have understanding as well as you. "I, however, claim to have just as much understanding [literally, 'heart'] as you, and to be just as well entitled to speak, and to claim attention;" since I am not inferior to y…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Job 12:4I am as one mocked of his neighbour. You have accused me of mockery (Job 11:3): but it is I that have been mocked of you. The allusion is probably to Job 11:2, Job 11:3, Job 11:11, Job 11:12, and Job 11:20. Who calleth…Joseph S. Exell and contributors