King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Look on every one [that is] proud, [and] bring him low; and tread down the wicked in their place.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Look at all who are proud, and bring them down; tread down the wicked where they stand.
Berean Standard Bible:
Look on every proud man and humble him; trample the wicked where they stand.
American Standard Version:
Look on every one that is proud, and bring him low; And tread down the wicked where they stand.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Look{H7200} on every one that is proud{H1343}, and bring him low{H3665}; and tread down{H1915} the wicked{H7563} in their place.
Cross-References (KJV):
Isaiah 63:3
- I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people [there was] none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment.
Malachi 4:3
- And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do [this], saith the LORD of hosts.
1 Samuel 2:7
- The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up.
Job 36:20
- Desire not the night, when people are cut off in their place.
Isaiah 10:6
- I will send him against an hypocritical nation, and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge, to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets.
Proverbs 15:25
- ¶ The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow.
Zechariah 10:5
- ¶ And they shall be as mighty [men], which tread down [their enemies] in the mire of the streets in the battle: and they shall fight, because the LORD [is] with them, and the riders on horses shall be confounded.
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Commentary for Job 40:12
Job 40:12 is a part of the poetic dialogue found in the Book of Job, which is one of the Wisdom books in the Hebrew Bible or Old Testament. The book is named after its central character, Job, a righteous man who is tested by the loss of his wealth, family, and health as a result of a celestial wager between God and the Adversary (commonly known as Satan). The verse is situated towards the end of the book, in the speeches of God Himself, who responds to Job out of a whirlwind.
In this verse, God is emphasizing His sovereignty and power over creation, particularly in His ability to humble the proud and punish the wicked. The themes here include divine justice, the humbling of human pride, and the judgment of the wicked. God is asserting that He is the ultimate arbiter of human affairs and that He will deal with those who exalt themselves beyond their place or engage in wickedness. This is a direct challenge to the human tendency to question divine justice in the face of undeserved suffering, a central theme of the Book of Job.
Historically, the Book of Job is thought to have been written during or after the Babylonian exile (6th century BCE), addressing the theological questions and spiritual crises that arose from the suffering of the Jewish people. Job 40:12 reflects the broader ancient Near Eastern wisdom tradition, which often grappled with questions of theodicy—why a good God permits evil and suffering. The verse serves as a reminder that ultimately, God's ways are beyond human understanding, and He will execute justice according to His own counsel. It also underscores the idea that pride is a common human failing that God resists, and that humility is a virtue to be sought.
*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: H7200
There are 1212 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רָאָה
Transliteration: râʼâh
Pronunciation: raw-aw'
Description: a primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative); advise self, appear, approve, behold, [idiom] certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have experience, gaze, take heed, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] joyfully, lo, look (on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up, upon), mark, meet, [idiom] be near, perceive, present, provide, regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one another), shew (self), [idiom] sight of others, (e-) spy, stare, [idiom] surely, [idiom] think, view, visions. - Strong's Number: H1343
There are 9 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: גֵּאֶה
Transliteration: gêʼeh
Pronunciation: gay-eh'
Description: from גָּאָה; lofty; figuratively, arrogant; proud. - Strong's Number: H3665
There are 32 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: כָּנַע
Transliteration: kânaʻ
Pronunciation: kaw-nah'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to bend the knee; hence, to humiliate, vanquish; bring down (low), into subjection, under, humble (self), subdue. - Strong's Number: H1915
There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: הָדַךְ
Transliteration: hâdak
Pronunciation: haw-dak'
Description: lemma הָדךְ missing vowel, corrected to הָדַךְ; a primitive root (compare דָּקַק); to crush with the foot; tread down. - Strong's Number: H7563
There are 249 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רָשָׁע
Transliteration: râshâʻ
Pronunciation: raw-shaw'
Description: from רָשַׁע; morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person; [phrase] condemned, guilty, ungodly, wicked (man), that did wrong.