King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
He leadeth princes away spoiled, and overthroweth the mighty.
Complete Jewish Bible:
He leads cohanim away captive and overthrows those long in power.
Berean Standard Bible:
He leads priests away barefoot and overthrows the established.
American Standard Version:
He leadeth priests away stripped, And overthroweth the mighty.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
He leadeth{H3212} princes{H3548} away spoiled{H7758}, and overthroweth{H5557} the mighty{H386}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Revelation 17:14
- ¶ These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him [are] called, and chosen, and faithful.
Isaiah 37:36
- Then the angel of the LORD went forth, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians a hundred and fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they [were] all dead corpses.
Isaiah 37:38
- And it came to pass, as he was worshipping in the house of Nisroch his god, that Adrammelech and Sharezer his sons smote him with the sword; and they escaped into the land of Armenia: and Esarhaddon his son reigned in his stead.
Joshua 10:42
- And all these kings and their land did Joshua take at one time, because the LORD God of Israel fought for Israel.
Job 24:22
- He draweth also the mighty with his power: he riseth up, and no [man] is sure of life.
Job 35:9
- ¶ By reason of the multitude of oppressions they make [the oppressed] to cry: they cry out by reason of the arm of the mighty.
Isaiah 45:1
- ¶ Thus saith the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut;
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Commentary for Job 12:19
Job 12:19 is part of the Book of Job, which is one of the Wisdom Books in the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Old Testament. The Book of Job deals with the themes of human suffering and divine justice, as it tells the story of Job, a righteous man who loses everything—his wealth, children, and health—due to a divine bet between God and Satan.
The verse itself, "He leadeth princes away spoiled, and overthroweth the mighty," speaks to the sovereignty of God over human affairs. In this context, "He" refers to God, emphasizing His power to humble the proud and the powerful. The verse reflects the idea that no human, no matter how exalted their status—whether they be princes or mighty leaders—is beyond the reach of God's influence. It suggests that God can strip away the riches and power of the mightiest, reminding humanity of their ultimate dependence on and subordination to the divine.
Historically, the Book of Job is thought to have been written during or after the Babylonian exile (6th century BCE), a period when the people of Judah were grappling with theodicy—the question of how a just and powerful God could allow suffering and evil to exist. Job's story, including verses like 12:19, would have resonated with those struggling to understand their own misfortunes in the context of their faith. The verse serves as a reminder that human status is transient and that God's ways are often beyond human comprehension. It challenges the simplistic notion that prosperity is a sign of God's favor and suffering a sign of His disfavor, presenting instead a more complex understanding of divine justice and providence.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H3212
There are 938 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָלַךְ
Transliteration: yâlak
Pronunciation: yaw-lak'
Description: a primitive root (compare הָלַךְ); to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses); [idiom] again, away, bear, bring, carry (away), come (away), depart, flow, [phrase] follow(-ing), get (away, hence, him), (cause to, made) go (away, -ing, -ne, one's way, out), grow, lead (forth), let down, march, prosper, [phrase] pursue, cause to run, spread, take away (-journey), vanish, (cause to) walk(-ing), wax, [idiom] be weak. - Strong's Number: H3548
There are 653 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: כֹּהֵן
Transliteration: kôhên
Pronunciation: ko-hane'
Description: active participle of כָּהַן; literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman); chief ruler, [idiom] own, priest, prince, principal officer. - Strong's Number: H7758
There are 3 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שׁוֹלָל
Transliteration: shôwlâl
Pronunciation: sho-lawl'
Description: or שֵׁילָל; (Micah 1:8), from שָׁלַל; nude (especially bare-foot); by implication, captive; spoiled, stripped. - Strong's Number: H5557
There are 7 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: סָלַף
Transliteration: çâlaph
Pronunciation: saw-laf'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to wrench, i.e. (figuratively) to subvert; overthrow, pervert. - Strong's Number: H386
There are 87 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֵיתָן
Transliteration: ʼêythân
Pronunciation: ay-thawn'
Description: or (shortened) אֵתָן ; from an unused root (meaning to continue); permanence; hence (concrete) permanent; specifically a chieftain; hard, mighty, rough, strength, strong.