Job 12:17
15 If He holds back the waters, they dry up, and if He releases them, they overwhelm the land.
16 True wisdom and power belong to Him. The deceived and the deceiver are His.
He leads counselors away barefoot and makes fools of judges.
18 He loosens the bonds placed by kings and fastens a belt around their waists.
19 He leads priests away barefoot and overthrows the established.
This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- He leads counselors away barefoot and makes fools of judges.
- KJV
- He leadeth counsellors away spoiled, and maketh the judges fools.
- WEB
- He leads counselors away stripped. He makes judges fools.
- ASV
- He leadeth counsellors away stripped, And judges maketh he fools.
- DARBY
- He leadeth counsellors away spoiled, and judges maketh he fools;
- BLB
- He leads away counselors barefoot, and judges He makes foolish.
- ÅB
- Han fører rådsherrer bort som fanger, og dommere gjør han til dårer.
- OTB
- Han leder rådgivere bort barbeint
og gjør dommere til dårer. - B1930
- Han fører rådsherrer bort som fanger, og dommere gjør han til dårer.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Isaiah 29:14
Therefore I will again confound these people with wonder upon wonder. The wisdom of the wise will vanish, and the intelligence of the intelligent will be hidden.”
Read in context1 Corinthians 1:19–20
For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”
Read in context2 Samuel 17:23
When Ahithophel saw that his advice had not been followed, he saddled his donkey and set out for his house in his hometown. He put his affairs in order and hanged himself. So he died and was buried in his father’s tomb.
Read in context2 Samuel 17:14
Then Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The advice of Hushai the Archite is better than that of Ahithophel.” For the LORD had purposed to thwart the good counsel of Ahithophel in order to bring disaster on Absalom.
Read in contextJob 9:24
The earth is given into the hand of the wicked; He blindfolds its judges. If it is not He, then who is it?
Read in context2 Samuel 15:31
Now someone told David: “Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.” So David pleaded, “O LORD, please turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness!”
Read in contextIsaiah 19:12–14
Where are your wise men now? Let them tell you and reveal what the LORD of Hosts has planned against Egypt.
Read in contextJob 3:14
with kings and counselors of the earth, who built for themselves cities now in ruins,
Read in context