Job 12:16

KJV

With him [is] strength and wisdom: the deceived and the deceiver [are] his.

KJV (with Strong's)

With him is strength {H5797} and wisdom {H8454}: the deceived {H7683} and the deceiver {H7686} are his.

Complete Jewish Bible

With him are strength and common sense; both the misled and those who mislead are his.

Berean Standard Bible

True wisdom and power belong to Him. The deceived and the deceiver are His.

American Standard Version

With him is strength and wisdom; The deceived and the deceiver are his.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 12:16, a powerful declaration within Job's discourse, asserts God's absolute and inherent possession of strength and wisdom, extending His sovereign dominion over all human actions and states, including both those who are led astray and those who perpetrate deception. This verse underscores the inscrutable nature of divine control, affirming that nothing, not even moral failing or malicious intent, operates outside of God's ultimate purview and overarching purposes.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 12:16 is embedded within Job's profound and impassioned response to his friends, particularly following Zophar's harsh condemnation in Job 11. Chapters 12-14 constitute Job's defense of God's inscrutable ways against the simplistic retribution theology espoused by Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar. His friends insisted that Job's immense suffering must be a direct consequence of his sin, thereby implying that God's justice operates on a clear, predictable cause-and-effect principle. Job, however, vehemently rejects this narrow view, arguing that God's power and wisdom are far more expansive and mysterious than human minds can grasp. He points to God's unchallengeable authority over creation and human affairs, even over seemingly chaotic or unjust events, as the ultimate explanation. In this specific verse, Job broadens his argument to include God's dominion over moral agents, asserting that both the "deceived" and the "deceiver" are ultimately "his," meaning they are subject to His ultimate authority and control, regardless of their actions or perceived autonomy. This serves to remind his friends that God's ways are not easily categorized or judged by human standards, as Job also stresses in [Job 9:4](/job/9-4 "Job 9:4 - God's Wisdom and Strength").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Book of Job is set in the land of Uz, likely during a patriarchal period, reflecting a pre-Mosaic understanding of God and the world. In the ancient Near East (ANE), concepts of divine power, wisdom, and sovereignty were central to understanding the cosmos and human destiny. However, the prevailing wisdom tradition, often reflected in proverbs and legal codes, typically linked righteousness with prosperity and wickedness with suffering (retribution theology). Job's narrative directly challenges this simplistic paradigm, presenting a protagonist who is righteous yet suffers immensely. The cultural understanding of "strength" (power, might) and "wisdom" (skill, discernment, knowledge) as supreme divine attributes was common. Job's assertion that even "the deceived and the deceiver" are God's challenges the human tendency to categorize actions as purely outside divine control, even when they involve moral evil. It implies a cosmic order where all elements, even those seemingly rebellious or chaotic, are ultimately contained within the divine sphere of influence.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the Book of Job and broader biblical theology. Foremost is **Divine Sovereignty**, emphasizing God's absolute authority and dominion over all creation and human affairs. Nothing happens without His knowledge or ultimate permissive will, a truth foundational to biblical understanding of God's reign, echoed in [Daniel 4:35](/daniel/4-35 "Daniel 4:35 - God's Dominion Over All"). Closely related are **God's Omnipotence and Omniscience**, as "With him [is] strength and wisdom" underscores His infinite power and perfect knowledge, attributes inherent to His very nature, not acquired. This resonates with passages like [Psalm 62:11](/psalms/62-11 "Psalm 62:11 - God's Power and Steadfast Love") which states that "power belongeth unto God." Finally, the phrase "the deceived and the deceiver [are] his" highlights **God's Ultimate Control Over All Human Actions**. This does not imply that God causes deception or evil, but rather that even these negative human actions and their consequences are ultimately subject to His overarching control and purposes. God's dominion is so vast that even those who deviate from truth or perpetuate falsehoods operate within His sphere of influence, and He can use or permit their actions for His own ultimate glory or to achieve His righteous ends, demonstrating His profound and often mysterious governance over all things, as seen in [Proverbs 16:4](/proverbs/16-4 "Proverbs 16:4 - The Lord Has Made Everything for Its Purpose").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Strength (Hebrew, _‘ōz_):** This Hebrew term denotes power, might, vigor, or security. It often describes the inherent, unassailable power of God, distinguishing Him from any created being. It speaks to His capacity to accomplish His will without hindrance, to sustain creation, and to overcome all opposition. In the context of Job, it emphasizes God's irresistible force and His ability to act decisively in the world, even in ways that defy human understanding.
* **Wisdom (Hebrew, _ḥokhmâ_):** This word refers to skill, insight, discernment, and practical knowledge. When applied to God, it signifies His perfect understanding of all things, His infinite insight into the complexities of creation and human affairs, and His ability to order all things according to His perfect counsel. It is not merely intellectual knowledge but a profound, active wisdom that guides His governance of the universe. In Job, it highlights God's superior knowledge and judgment compared to the limited understanding of humans.
* **The Deceived and the Deceiver (Hebrew, _shōgēg wəmašgֶh_):** This powerful phrase is a Hebrew merism, a literary device where two contrasting parts are used to represent a whole. _Shōgēg_ refers to one who errs, goes astray, or is led astray, often implying unintentional error or being deceived. _Mašgֶh_ is the causative form, meaning one who causes to err, leads astray, or deceives. Together, they encompass the entire spectrum of human error and moral failing, from those who are victims of deceit to those who actively perpetrate it. The possessive "are his" (literally "to him") signifies that both categories of individuals, and by extension their actions, are under God's ultimate dominion, authority, and control. This does not imply God causes evil, but that even evil acts and their consequences fall within the boundaries of His sovereign plan and ultimate judgment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"With him [is] strength and wisdom":** This opening clause establishes God's inherent and supreme attributes. "With him" emphasizes that these qualities are not external to God or acquired by Him, but are intrinsic to His very being. He is the fount of all power and the source of all true insight. This declaration serves as the foundational premise for Job's subsequent assertion about God's dominion over all things, including human moral agency. It sets God apart as the ultimate and unchallenged authority.
* **"the deceived and the deceiver [are] his":** This second clause extends the scope of God's strength and wisdom to encompass all of humanity, particularly in their moral and intellectual failings. By declaring that both "the deceived" (those who err, are led astray, or suffer from falsehood) and "the deceiver" (those who cause error, mislead, or perpetrate evil) are "his," Job asserts God's absolute sovereignty over all human actions and their consequences. This means that no human activity, however seemingly chaotic, malicious, or misguided, occurs outside of God's ultimate knowledge, permission, or control. It underscores that even the darkest aspects of human behavior are ultimately subject to His overarching purposes and final judgment, not beyond His reach.

#### Literary Devices
Job 12:16 employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound theological message. The most prominent is **Merism** in the phrase "the deceived and the deceiver," which serves to encompass the entire spectrum of human moral agency and its consequences, from being led astray to actively leading others astray. This device highlights God's comprehensive dominion over all human actions, good or ill. There is also a powerful **Juxtaposition** between God's perfect, inherent "strength and wisdom" and the flawed, often morally compromised actions of "the deceived and the deceiver." This contrast underscores the vast chasm between divine perfection and human imperfection, while simultaneously asserting God's ultimate control over both. The verse functions as a bold **Declaration** or **Affirmation** by Job, a confident assertion of God's absolute sovereignty in the face of his friends' limited understanding. Finally, there is an element of **Paradox** or **Irony** in the idea that God's strength and wisdom extend even to those who seemingly operate in opposition to His will, demonstrating that even evil and deception are ultimately subservient to His larger, often mysterious, divine plan.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 12:16 offers a profound theological statement on God's absolute sovereignty, particularly His dominion over human will and moral choices, without implying that He is the author of evil. It asserts that God's control is so comprehensive that even the actions of those who err or deliberately deceive are ultimately within His purview and subject to His purposes. This truth provides both a challenge to human pride and a source of comfort. It challenges us to recognize that our understanding of justice and control is limited, and that God's ways are higher. It comforts us by assuring that no evil, no deception, and no human failing is outside of God's ultimate knowledge and power to redeem or judge. This truth is foundational to understanding God's providential care and His ultimate triumph over all forms of evil.

* [Daniel 4:35](/daniel/4-35 "Daniel 4:35 - God's Dominion Over All"): "All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?"
* [Proverbs 16:4](/proverbs/16-4 "Proverbs 16:4 - The Lord Has Made Everything for Its Purpose"): "The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil."
* [Isaiah 45:7](/isaiah/45-7 "Isaiah 45:7 - God Forms Light and Creates Darkness"): "I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 12:16 calls us to a deeper trust in God's overarching control, even when the world seems chaotic, unjust, or filled with deception. In an age where truth is often distorted and misinformation abounds, this verse reminds us that God remains sovereign over both the victims of deceit and those who perpetrate it. It should humble us, prompting us to acknowledge the limits of our own understanding and to rely on God's infinite wisdom rather than our finite perceptions of justice or fairness. This perspective can bring immense peace, knowing that ultimately, no evil plot or deceptive scheme can thwart God's ultimate purposes. It also encourages us to seek discernment and to cling to truth, recognizing that while deception may prevail for a time, it is ultimately subject to the One who possesses all strength and wisdom. Our response should be to live wisely, to pray for discernment, and to rest in the assurance that God will ultimately bring all things to account, ensuring that true justice will prevail.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God's control over "the deceived and the deceiver" impact your view of current world events or personal injustices?**
* **In what ways might you be tempted to limit God's sovereignty based on your perception of evil or chaos?**
* **How does Job's assertion of God's strength and wisdom offer comfort or challenge to your own faith?**
* **What practical steps can you take to rely more on God's wisdom and less on your own understanding when facing complex situations?**

### FAQ
**Does this verse imply that God causes evil or deception?**

Answer: No, Job 12:16 does not imply that God is the author or direct cause of evil or deception. Instead, it asserts His ultimate sovereignty and dominion over all things, including the actions of fallen humanity. The phrase "the deceived and the deceiver are his" means that even these negative human actions and their consequences fall within God's ultimate control and are subject to His overarching purposes. It signifies that nothing is outside His knowledge or His permissive will. God can permit evil for a time, and even use the actions of wicked individuals to accomplish His righteous ends, without Himself being evil or causing sin. This is a profound theological distinction that affirms God's holiness while maintaining His absolute sovereignty, as seen in passages like [Genesis 50:20](/genesis/50-20 "Genesis 50:20 - Joseph's Words to His Brothers") where Joseph tells his brothers, "You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good."

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job 12:16 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the very embodiment of God's "strength and wisdom," as declared by Paul in [1 Corinthians 1:24](/1_corinthians/1-24 "1 Corinthians 1:24 - Christ the Power and Wisdom of God"), where Christ is identified as "the power of God and the wisdom of God." In Him, the infinite might and perfect counsel of the Father are made manifest. Furthermore, Jesus directly confronts and ultimately triumphs over the ultimate "deceiver," Satan, who is described in [Revelation 12:9](/revelation/12-9 "Revelation 12:9 - Satan, the Deceiver of the Whole World") as "the deceiver of the whole world." Christ’s victory over sin, death, and the devil on the cross demonstrates God's absolute dominion over all forms of deception and evil. Through His atoning sacrifice, Jesus becomes the truth that sets the "deceived" free ([John 8:32](/john/8-32 "John 8:32 - The Truth Will Set You Free")), offering liberation from the lies and bondage of sin. The crucifixion itself, though orchestrated by human deceivers and seemingly a defeat, was in fact God's preordained plan, demonstrating His sovereign control even over the most heinous acts of human wickedness ([Acts 2:23](/acts/2-23 "Acts 2:23 - The Foreordained Plan of God")). In Christ, the promise of Job 12:16 is realized: God's strength and wisdom ensure that all things, even the darkest deceptions, ultimately serve His redemptive purposes, leading to the ultimate judgment of the deceiver and the liberation of the deceived.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Job 13:9

Is it good that he should search you out? or as one man mocketh another, do ye [so] mock him?

Ezekiel 14:9

And if the prophet be deceived when he hath spoken a thing, I the LORD have deceived that prophet, and I will stretch out my hand upon him, and will destroy him from the midst of my people Israel.

1 Kings 22:22

And the LORD said unto him, Wherewith? And he said, I will go forth, and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And he said, Thou shalt persuade [him], and prevail also: go forth, and do so.

1 Kings 22:23

Now therefore, behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these thy prophets, and the LORD hath spoken evil concerning thee.

Job 13:7

Will ye speak wickedly for God? and talk deceitfully for him?

Job 12:13

With him [is] wisdom and strength, he hath counsel and understanding.

Matthew 6:13

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.