Job 12:6

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Job 12:6 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “The tents of robbers prosper, And they that provoke God are secure; Into whose hand God bringeth [abundantly].” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

The tents of robbers prosper, And they that provoke God are secure; Into whose hand God bringeth [abundantly].
Job 12:6 — American Standard Version

Context — Job 12

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
6The tents of robbers prosper, And they that provoke God are secure; Into whose hand God bringeth [abundantly].

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“The tabernacles of robbers prosper, etc.] Such as the Chaldeans and Sabeans, who had robbed Job of his substance, and filled their houses with the spoils of others, and lived in the greatest fulness and prosperity, and whom he might have in his view; and the like is what has been since observed by good men, and has been a trial and temptation to them, not knowing well how to reconcile this to the justice and wisdom of God in providence, yet so it is, a fact that cannot be denied, (see <197302>Psalm 73:2,3,12 <241201>Jeremiah 12:1,2); and they that provoke God are secure; all sin is abominable to God, contrary to his nature, will, and law, and so provoking; yet there are some sins that are…”
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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
“Job shows that the matter of fact opposes Zophar's theory (Job 11:14, Job 11:19-20) that wickedness causes insecurity in men's "tabernacles." On the contrary, they who rob the "tabernacles" ("dwellings") of others "prosper securely" in their own. into whose hand, &c.--rather, "who make a god of their own hand," that is, who regard their might as their only ruling principle [UMBREIT].”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The tabernacles of robbers prosper - The tents or dwellings of robbers are safe and secure. This is Job’s original proposition, to which he all along adheres. It is, that God does not deal with people in this life according to their character; and in support of this he now appeals to the fact that the tents or dwellings of robbers are safe. Arabia would furnish many illustrations of this, which could not be unknown to the friends of Job. The Arabs dwelt in tents, and they were then, as now, wandering, predatory tribes. They lived, to a great extent, by plunder, and doubtless Job could appeal to the observation of his friends for the proof of this. He affirms that so far from dealing with…”
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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
“Are secure - Job's friends had all supposed, that wicked men cannot prosper long in the world. This Job opposes, and maintains, that God herein acts as sovereign, and reserves that exact distribution of rewards and punishments for the other world. Job 12:7”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“tabernacles: Job 9:24, Job 21:7-15; Psa 17:14, Psa 37:1, Psa 37:35, Psa 73:11, Psa 73:12; Jer 5:27 Job 12:7”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification