Job 9:12

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Job 9:12 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Behold, he seizeth [the prey], who can hinder him? Who will say unto him, What doest thou?” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Behold, he seizeth [the prey], who can hinder him? Who will say unto him, What doest thou?
Job 9:12 — American Standard Version

Context — Job 9

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
12Behold, he seizeth [the prey], who can hinder him? Who will say unto him, What doest thou?

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Behold, he taketh away, etc.] There are some things God never takes away from his people; he never takes away his love from them, he always rests in that towards them, let them be in what condition they will; he never takes away his grace from them, when once bestowed on them, or wrought in them; he never takes away his special gifts of grace, particularly the unspeakable gift of his son Christ Jesus, which is that good part, when chosen, which shall not be taken away; nor any of the spiritual blessings wherewith they are blessed in Christ; these are irreversible and irrevocable: but temporal blessings he takes away at pleasure; so he had taken away the children, the servants of Job, his…”
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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
“If "He taketh away," as in my case all that was dear to me, still a mortal cannot call Him to account. He only takes His own. He is an absolute King (Ecc 8:4; Dan 4:35).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Behold, he taketh away - Property, friends, or life. Who can hinder him? - Margin, turn him away. Or, rather, “who shall cause him to restore?” that is, who can bring back what he takes away? He is so mighty, that what he removes, it is impossible for us to recover. Who will say unto him, What doest thou? - A similar expression occurs in Daniel 4:35. The meaning is plain. God has a right to remove any thing which we possess. Our friends, property, health, and lives, are his gift, and he has a right to them all. When he takes them away, he is but taking that which is his own, and which has been lent to us for a little time, and which he has a right to remove when it seems good to him. This…”
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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
“Taketh - If he determines to take away from any man his children or servants, or estate, who is able to restrain him from doing it? Or who dare presume to reprove him for it? And therefore far be it from me to quarrel with God, whereof you untruly accuse me. Job 9:13”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“he taketh: Job 23:13, Job 34:29; Dan 4:35; Eph 1:11 hinder him: Heb. turn him away, Job 11:10 What: Job 33:13; Isa 45:9; Jer 18:6; Mat 11:26, Mat 20:15; Rom 9:18-20, Rom 11:34 Job 9:13”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification