Job 12:23

"He uncovers deep things out of darkness, and brings out to light the shadow of death."

Key Reflection

In Job 12:23, Eliphaz is speaking to highlight God's power and sovereignty in revealing hidden truths. To the original audience, this verse would have evoked imagery of divine intervention in uncovering secrets that lay hidden in darkness, much like bringing light into a place where shadows of death lurked. The phrase "shadow of death" would have resonated with their understanding of deep, terrifying darkness—symbolizing both literal danger and metaphorical despair or judgment.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

He increaseth the nations, and destroyeth them -He has entire control over them. The sources of prosperity are in his hand, and at his pleasure he can visit them with famine, pestilence, or war, and diminish their numbers and arrest their prosperity. Dr. Good renders this very improperly, “He letteth the nations grow licentious;” but the wordשׂגאśâgâ'never has this sense. It means, to make great; to multiply; to increase. And straiteneth them again -Margin, “leadeth in.” So the wordנחהnâchâhmeans.

More from Job 12

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

Go deeper with Bible.talk - your AI Bible study companion