Job 12:17

KJV

He leadeth counsellors away spoiled, and maketh the judges fools.

KJV (with Strong's)

He leadeth {H3212} counsellors {H3289} away spoiled {H7758}, and maketh the judges {H8199} fools {H1984}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He leads counselors away captive, he makes fools of judges.

Berean Standard Bible

He leads counselors away barefoot and makes fools of judges.

American Standard Version

He leadeth counsellors away stripped, And judges maketh he fools.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 12:17 is a profound declaration by Job, asserting God's absolute and mysterious sovereignty over all human wisdom, authority, and power. In his impassioned defense against his friends' simplistic theology, Job highlights that God can effortlessly dismantle the most esteemed human institutions and individuals, stripping counsellors of their sagacity and rendering judges foolish, thereby demonstrating the futility of relying on human insight apart from divine will.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within Job's extended response to his friends, particularly Eliphaz, in chapters 12-14. Having just endured their accusations and conventional wisdom, Job passionately defends God's incomprehensible sovereignty, arguing that divine power transcends human understanding of justice and cause-and-effect. Job 12:17 is part of a larger poetic section (Job 12:13-25) where Job enumerates God's omnipotence over all creation and human affairs. He begins by affirming that with [God are wisdom and might](/job/12-13 "Job 12:13 - God's Wisdom and Might"), and then proceeds to list various ways God demonstrates this power, including the ability to dismantle human systems of governance and wisdom. This specific verse serves as a powerful illustration of God's capacity to subvert established societal order, reinforcing Job's argument that God's ways are inscrutable and not bound by human logic or perceived merit.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, counsellors and judges were pillars of society, representing wisdom, justice, and stability. Counsellors (e.g., royal advisors, elders) were sought for their sagacity in matters of state, strategy, and personal dispute, while judges were responsible for upholding law and order, ensuring equity, and rendering verdicts. Their roles were foundational to societal structure and well-being. For God to "lead counsellors away spoiled" meant to strip them of their influence, dignity, and even their very standing, perhaps by exposing their counsel as worthless or by allowing them to be captured and humiliated. To "make the judges fools" implied rendering their judgments nonsensical, their authority impotent, or their wisdom utterly discredited. This imagery would have been profoundly shocking to an ancient audience, underscoring God's absolute power to overturn the most respected and powerful human institutions, demonstrating that no human system, however wise or just it appears, is beyond His sovereign control.
* **Key Themes:** Job 12:17 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Job and biblical theology. The most prominent is **God's Absolute Sovereignty**, emphasizing that the Lord is the ultimate authority, capable of elevating or humbling anyone, and that His power is not bound by human logic or societal structures. He can strip even the most esteemed advisors of their influence, demonstrating that all human power is derivative and contingent upon His will. This verse also highlights **Human Fallibility and the Limitations of Human Wisdom**. Even those considered wisest and most influential—counsellors and judges—are susceptible to God's will; their wisdom can be stripped away, and their judgments rendered foolish. This underscores the profound limitations of human intellect and power when compared to divine omnipotence and omniscience. Finally, the verse speaks to **Divine Judgment and Control over Human Affairs**, illustrating that God actively intervenes in human history, dismantling human schemes and exposing the folly of those who presume to have ultimate control or wisdom. This resonates with other biblical passages that speak of [God's power to remove and establish kings and leaders](/daniel/2-21 "Daniel 2:21 - God's Sovereignty Over Kingdoms") according to His divine purpose.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Spoiled (Hebrew, _sholal'_):** The Hebrew word שׁוֹלָל (_sholal_) means "stripped," "barefoot," "plundered," or "destitute." It conveys a vivid image of someone utterly dispossessed, deprived of their garments, dignity, and possessions. When applied to "counsellors," it suggests that God can strip away their perceived wisdom, authority, and influence, leaving them exposed, vulnerable, and utterly ineffective. It speaks to a complete reversal of status and power, reducing the esteemed to utter destitution.
* **Fools (Hebrew, _siklim'_):** The Hebrew term סִכְלִים (_siklim_) refers to "fools" in the sense of being senseless, morally deficient, or acting unwisely. Unlike merely lacking knowledge, a _siklim_ is someone whose judgment is impaired, whose actions are misguided, or whose counsel leads to ruin. For God to make judges _siklim_ means He can cause them to render absurd verdicts, to lose their discernment, or to act in ways that expose their lack of true wisdom, thereby undermining their authority and credibility.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He leadeth counsellors away spoiled":** This clause asserts God's active role in diminishing the power and influence of those deemed wise and authoritative in human society. The verb "leadeth away" (נוֹהֵג, _noheg_) implies a forceful, decisive action, akin to leading captives. The "counsellors" (יוֹעֲצִים, _yo'atsim_) are those relied upon for their strategic insight and guidance. To be "spoiled" (שׁוֹלָל, _sholal_) means they are stripped bare of their wisdom, their status, and their effectiveness, left without influence or dignity. This signifies God's ability to nullify human wisdom and expose its limitations.
* **"and maketh the judges fools":** This parallel clause further emphasizes God's sovereign control over human authority. "Judges" (שֹׁפְטִים, _shoftim_) represent the pinnacle of legal and moral authority, responsible for upholding justice. For God to "make" (וַיְהַלֵּל, _vayhalel_) them "fools" (סִכְלִים, _siklim_) means He can cause them to lose their discernment, make erroneous decisions, or act in ways that are utterly devoid of wisdom, thereby undermining the very foundation of justice they are meant to embody. This highlights God's power to subvert human systems of justice and reveal their inherent flaws.

#### Literary Devices
Job 12:17 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. The most prominent is **Parallelism**, specifically synonymous parallelism, where the second clause ("and maketh the judges fools") echoes and intensifies the meaning of the first ("He leadeth counsellors away spoiled"). Both clauses speak to God's power to dismantle human authority and wisdom, reinforcing the central theme of divine sovereignty over human institutions. The verse also utilizes **Metaphor** and **Hyperbole** to describe God's actions. God does not literally "spoil" or "make fools" in a physical sense, but rather, He orchestrates circumstances that strip human authorities of their perceived wisdom and influence, exposing their limitations. This vivid imagery serves to emphasize the dramatic and absolute nature of God's control. Furthermore, the verse employs **Anthropomorphism**, attributing human-like actions ("leadeth," "maketh") to God, thereby making His divine intervention more relatable and impactful to the human audience.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 12:17 stands as a powerful theological statement on the absolute sovereignty of God over all human wisdom, authority, and power. It challenges any notion that human intellect, political structures, or judicial systems can operate independently of divine will or withstand God's ultimate purposes. The verse affirms that true wisdom and justice reside solely with God, and He can, at His discretion, expose the folly of human attempts to govern or advise without His guidance. This serves as a crucial reminder that while human institutions have their place, they are ultimately subordinate to the divine plan. It teaches humility before God's incomprehensible wisdom and power, urging believers to place their ultimate trust not in human leaders or systems, but in the Lord who orchestrates all things.

* [1 Corinthians 1:25](/1_corinthians/1-25 "1 Corinthians 1:25 - God's 'Foolishness' Wiser Than Men")
* [Psalm 33:10](/psalms/33-10 "Psalm 33:10 - The Lord Frustrates the Plans of the Peoples")
* [Isaiah 19:11-12](/isaiah/19-11 "Isaiah 19:11-12 - The Folly of Egypt's Counselors")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 12:17 offers a profound and sobering truth for contemporary believers. In a world that often places immense trust in human expertise, political leaders, scientific advancements, and judicial systems, this verse serves as a vital corrective. It calls us to recognize the inherent limitations and fallibility of all human wisdom and authority when compared to the infinite wisdom and absolute sovereignty of God. This does not negate the value of seeking wise counsel or upholding justice, but it fundamentally reorients our ultimate reliance. It encourages a posture of humility, reminding us that what appears wise or stable to human eyes can be easily overturned or exposed as foolish by God's sovereign hand. Therefore, our ultimate trust must always be in God, seeking His counsel through His Word and prayer above all else, and understanding that His will ultimately prevails, even when human systems seem to falter or fail. This perspective fosters a deeper reliance on divine providence and a more discerning approach to human leadership and expert opinion.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Job 12:17 challenge our default trust in human expertise, political leaders, or societal institutions today?**
* **In what specific areas of your life are you tempted to rely more on human wisdom or authority than on divine guidance?**
* **How does recognizing God's absolute sovereignty over human leaders and judges impact your prayers for those in authority?**

### FAQ
**Does this verse imply that all human wisdom and justice are inherently flawed or evil?**

Answer: Not necessarily that they are inherently evil, but that they are inherently limited and fallible when compared to God's perfect wisdom and justice. Job 12:17 highlights God's absolute sovereignty, demonstrating that even the most esteemed human wisdom and systems of justice are entirely subject to His will. God can expose their limitations or even reverse their outcomes to achieve His greater purposes, which may be beyond human comprehension. This verse serves as a reminder that while human wisdom and justice have their place and are often gifts from God, they are never ultimate and should not be relied upon as such. True wisdom ultimately originates from and is perfected by God, as seen in [Proverbs 2:6](/proverbs/2-6 "Proverbs 2:6 - The Lord Gives Wisdom").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job 12:17, with its declaration of God's sovereignty over human wisdom and authority, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While Job speaks of God's power to humble human counsellors and judges, Christ Himself is the very embodiment of [God's wisdom and power](/1_corinthians/1-24 "1 Corinthians 1:24 - Christ, the Power and Wisdom of God"), who decisively exposed the folly and limitations of human systems. He stood before human judges, like [Pilate](/mark/15-1 "Mark 15:1 - Jesus Before Pilate"), who, despite their earthly authority, were ultimately powerless against God's divine plan. The cross, which was considered foolishness by the world's wise ([1 Corinthians 1:18](/1_corinthians/1-18 "1 Corinthians 1:18 - The Message of the Cross")), became the ultimate demonstration of God's wisdom and power, subverting all human expectations and logic. Through His death and resurrection, Christ disarmed the spiritual powers and authorities ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")), demonstrating that His kingdom is not of this world ([John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - Jesus' Kingdom Not of This World")) and operates on a divine wisdom that transcends human understanding. Ultimately, all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Him ([Matthew 28:18](/matthew/28-18 "Matthew 28:18 - The Great Commission")), confirming that He is the true and ultimate Counsellor and Judge, before whom all earthly wisdom and power will ultimately bow.

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

Isaiah 29:14

Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, [even] a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise [men] shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent [men] shall be hid.

1 Corinthians 1:19

For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.

1 Corinthians 1:20

Where [is] the wise? where [is] the scribe? where [is] the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?

2 Samuel 17:23

And when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled [his] ass, and arose, and gat him home to his house, to his city, and put his household in order, and hanged himself, and died, and was buried in the sepulchre of his father.

Job 3:14

With kings and counsellors of the earth, which built desolate places for themselves;

Isaiah 19:12

Where [are] they? where [are] thy wise [men]? and let them tell thee now, and let them know what the LORD of hosts hath purposed upon Egypt.

Isaiah 19:14

The LORD hath mingled a perverse spirit in the midst thereof: and they have caused Egypt to err in every work thereof, as a drunken [man] staggereth in his vomit.