Job 12:5

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Job 12:5 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “In the thought of him that is at ease there is contempt for misfortune; It is ready for them whose foot slippeth.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

In the thought of him that is at ease there is contempt for misfortune; It is ready for them whose foot slippeth.
Job 12:5 — American Standard Version

Context — Job 12

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
5In the thought of him that is at ease there is contempt for misfortune; It is ready for them whose foot slippeth.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“He that is ready to slip with [his] feet, etc.] Not into sin, though this is often the case of good men, but into calamities and afflictions; and Job means himself, and every just upright man in the like circumstances: or he that is “prepared” or “destined” to be among them, that “totter” and stagger in their “feet” f510; that cannot stand upon their feet, but fall to the ground; which may describe man in declining and distressing circumstances; or that is appointed to be the laughing stock of such as are unstable in the word and ways of God; double minded men, hypocrites, and formal professors, that totter and stagger at everything they meet with disagreeable to the flesh: with such, a poor…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Rather, "a torch" (lamp) is an object of contempt in the thoughts of him who rests securely (is at ease), though it was prepared for the falterings of the feet [UMBREIT] (Pro 25:19). "Thoughts" and "feet" are in contrast; also rests "securely," and "falterings." The wanderer, arrived at his night-quarters, contemptuously throws aside the torch which had guided his uncertain steps through the darkness. As the torch is to the wanderer, so Job to his friends. Once they gladly used his aid in their need; now they in prosperity mock him in his need.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“He that is ready to slip with his feet - The man whose feet waver or totter; that is, the man in adversity; see Proverbs 25:19. A man in prosperity is represented as standing firm; one in adversity as wavering, or falling; see Psalms 73:2. But as for me, my feet were almost gone; My steps had well nigh slipped. There is much difficulty in this passage, and it has by no means been removed by the labor of critics. The reader may consult Rosenmuller, Good, and Schultens, on the verse, for a more full attempt to illustrate its meaning. Dr. Good, after Reiske and Parkhurst, has offered an explanation by rendering the whole passage thus: The just, the perfect man is a laughing-stock to the proud,…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Slip with his feet - And fall into trouble; tho' he had formerly shone as a lamp, he is then looked upon as a lamp going out, as the snuff of a candle, which we throw to the ground and tread upon; and accordingly is despised in the thought of him that is at ease. Job 12:6”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“ready: Deu 32:35; Psa 17:5, Psa 94:18; Jer 13:16 a lamp: Job 18:5; Pro 13:9, Pro 20:20; Mat 25:8 of him: Job 6:5, Job 16:4; Psa 123:3, Psa 123:4; Amo 6:1-6; Luk 12:19, Luk 16:19, Luk 16:20 Job 12:6”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification