Job 12:4

KJV

I am [as] one mocked of his neighbour, who calleth upon God, and he answereth him: the just upright [man is] laughed to scorn.

KJV (with Strong's)

I am as one mocked {H7814} of his neighbour {H7453}, who calleth {H7121} upon God {H433}, and he answereth {H6030} him: the just {H6662} upright {H8549} man is laughed to scorn {H7814}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"Anyone who calls on God, and he answers him, becomes a laughingstock to his friends -they make fun of an innocent, blameless man.

Berean Standard Bible

I am a laughingstock to my friends, though I called on God, and He answered. The righteous and upright man is a laughingstock.

American Standard Version

I am as one that is a laughing-stock to his neighbor, I who called upon God, and he answered: The just, the perfect man is a laughing-stock.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 12:4 encapsulates Job's profound anguish and disillusionment, expressing his bitter complaint that he, a righteous man, has become an object of scorn and mockery by his neighbors, despite his cries to God. He laments the stark contrast between the expected divine response to those who call upon God—that He answers them—and his own reality, where his blamelessness has brought him only derision and public humiliation, seemingly without divine intervention or vindication.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 12:4 is embedded within Job's second major discourse, specifically his response to Zophar's harsh and conventional accusations in chapters 11-14. Following Zophar's assertion that Job's suffering is a direct consequence of his hidden sins, Job launches a powerful counter-argument. He challenges the simplistic retribution theology espoused by his friends, asserting God's absolute sovereignty and power, yet questioning the fairness and justice of His dealings with humanity, particularly in his own case. This verse serves as a deeply personal lament within a broader theological debate, highlighting Job's emotional torment and the perceived incongruity between his righteous character and his agonizing circumstances. He feels that the very foundation of his faith—that God answers those who call upon Him—seems to be undermined by his current circumstances, making him vulnerable to the contempt of his community. Job's argument throughout [Job 12](/job/12 "Job 12 - Job's Response to Zophar") and [Job 13](/job/13 "Job 13 - Job Continues His Argument") is that his friends' wisdom is shallow and that they misrepresent God.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, particularly among Israelite wisdom traditions, there was a prevalent belief in "retribution theology," which posited a direct correlation between righteousness and prosperity, and wickedness and suffering. This worldview, often termed Deuteronomic theology, suggested that God immediately rewarded the good and punished the evil. Job's friends are staunch proponents of this view. Consequently, Job's immense suffering and loss were interpreted by his community as undeniable proof of his grievous sin, leading to his social ostracization and mockery. To be "mocked of his neighbour" and "laughed to scorn" was not merely a social slight but a profound public shaming, stripping him of honor and dignity, which were paramount in ancient societies. This cultural context amplifies the depth of Job's pain, as his suffering was not only physical and emotional but also a public indictment of his character and piety.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Job. Firstly, it underscores the **Injustice and Suffering of the Righteous**, a central paradox of the book. Job, explicitly described as "blameless and upright" in [Job 1:1](/job/1-1 "Job 1:1 - Job's Blameless Character"), directly contradicts the prevailing theological framework that suggests suffering is always a result of sin. His experience challenges the very notion that good deeds guarantee prosperity and respect. Secondly, the theme of **Mockery and Scorn** is vividly portrayed, highlighting the profound emotional and psychological torment Job endures. The derision from his community adds a layer of anguish to his physical pain, emphasizing the social dimension of his suffering. Lastly, the verse brings to the fore the theme of **Apparent Divine Silence or Hiddenness**. Job's poignant observation, "who calleth upon God, and he answereth him," implies a desperate hope or a past experience that now seems absent in his life. He feels that God is not responding to his cries, contributing significantly to his sense of isolation and vulnerability to public contempt, a theme explored further in [Psalm 22](/psalms/22 "Psalm 22 - A Psalm of Lament and Trust").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Mocked (Hebrew, _la'ag'_):** This term (לַעַג) carries a strong connotation of derision, scoffing, and treating with contempt. It implies a malicious form of laughter or ridicule, often accompanied by gestures of disdain. In Job's context, it signifies not just lighthearted teasing but a severe form of public humiliation and disrespect, adding to his profound sense of abandonment and injustice.
* **Just upright (Hebrew, _tzaddiq tamim'_):** This phrase (צַדִּיק תָּמִים) directly echoes the description of Job in [Job 1:1](/job/1-1 "Job 1:1 - Job's Blameless Character"). *Tzaddiq* means "righteous" or "just," referring to one who adheres to God's laws and ethical standards. *Tamim* means "blameless," "complete," or "perfect," implying moral integrity and wholeness. The juxtaposition of Job's divinely affirmed character with his current state of being "laughed to scorn" creates a sharp and painful paradox, challenging the conventional wisdom of his time.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I am [as] one mocked of his neighbour":** Job begins with a direct, personal lament, expressing his identity as an object of scorn. The phrase "mocked of his neighbour" emphasizes the social dimension of his suffering, highlighting the betrayal and contempt he experiences from those closest to him, or at least within his community. This public humiliation is a deep wound to his honor and reputation.
* **"who calleth upon God, and he answereth him":** This clause introduces a profound irony or a statement of what *should* be. Job either states the conventional belief that God answers the prayers of the righteous, or he refers to his own past experience of God's responsiveness. The implication is that this expected divine response is conspicuously absent in his current situation, making his mockery all the more perplexing and painful.
* **"the just upright [man is] laughed to scorn":** This final clause serves as a bitter summary of Job's paradoxical reality. It directly links his blameless character, previously affirmed by God himself, with his present state of being publicly ridiculed. This is the core of his complaint: his righteousness has not brought him vindication or honor, but rather contempt, challenging the very fabric of retributive justice.

#### Literary Devices
Job 12:4 employs several potent literary devices to convey Job's anguish and challenge his friends' theology. **Irony** is central, as Job, a man explicitly declared righteous by God, finds himself in a situation that utterly contradicts the expected blessings for the upright. The very act of calling upon God, which should elicit a divine response, instead leads to further scorn from his community. This creates a profound **Paradox**, where the "just upright man" is not honored but "laughed to scorn," directly subverting the conventional wisdom of his time. The verse also functions as a **Lament**, a common biblical genre expressing deep sorrow, complaint, and petition to God in times of distress. Furthermore, there is a stark **Contrast** drawn between the ideal scenario (God answering the one who calls) and Job's lived reality (being mocked despite his righteousness), intensifying the sense of injustice and despair.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 12:4 is a critical verse for understanding the book's challenge to simplistic theological frameworks. It directly confronts the notion that suffering is always a direct consequence of sin, forcing a deeper exploration of divine justice, human suffering, and the nature of faith. Job's experience of being mocked despite his righteousness resonates with the broader biblical theme of the righteous suffering unjustly, prompting questions about God's sovereignty, hiddenness, and ultimate purposes. It highlights the tension between human understanding of justice and God's mysterious ways, preparing the reader for a more nuanced theology of suffering that transcends a simple cause-and-effect model. This verse also implicitly raises the question of true wisdom: is it found in conventional maxims, or in grappling honestly with the complexities of life and God's character?

* [Psalm 73:12-14](/psalms/73-12 "Psalm 73:12-14 - The Prosperity of the Wicked")
* [Lamentations 3:59-60](/lamentations/3-59 "Lamentations 3:59-60 - A Plea for Justice")
* [1 Peter 4:16](/1_peter/4-16 "1 Peter 4:16 - Suffering as a Christian")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 12:4 speaks powerfully to the human experience of feeling misunderstood, unjustly treated, and even ridiculed, particularly when one strives to live righteously or seeks God earnestly. It reminds us that external circumstances do not always reflect internal spiritual standing, and that suffering, even profound public humiliation, is not necessarily a sign of divine displeasure or personal sin. This verse challenges us to cultivate empathy and compassion for those who are suffering, resisting the temptation to offer simplistic explanations or to add to their burden through judgment or scorn. It calls us to examine our own theological frameworks, ensuring they are robust enough to embrace the complexities of life and God's mysterious ways, rather than reducing faith to a transactional system of rewards and punishments. Ultimately, Job's lament encourages perseverance in faith, even when God seems silent, and when the world's response is derision rather than understanding.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways have you experienced or witnessed the "just upright man" being "laughed to scorn" in your own life or in society?**
* **How do you reconcile Job's experience of apparent divine silence with your understanding of God's responsiveness to prayer?**
* **What are the dangers of applying a simplistic "retribution theology" when comforting or counseling those who are suffering?**

### FAQ
**Why is Job mocked by his neighbors if he is a "just upright man"?**

Answer: Job is mocked by his neighbors because, within the prevailing cultural and theological framework of his time, his immense suffering was interpreted as undeniable proof of his hidden sin. The conventional wisdom, often called retribution theology, held that God immediately rewarded the righteous with prosperity and punished the wicked with adversity. Since Job was experiencing profound calamity, his community, including his friends, concluded that he must have committed grave sins, despite his outward blamelessness. His "just upright" character, as affirmed in [Job 1:1](/job/1-1 "Job 1:1 - Job's Blameless Character"), was overshadowed by the visible evidence of his suffering, leading to public scorn and derision as they believed he was receiving his just deserts.

**Does God always answer when we call upon Him, as Job implies in this verse?**

Answer: Job 12:4 expresses Job's expectation or the common understanding that God *should* answer those who call upon Him. While the Bible affirms God's attentiveness to prayer and His desire to respond to His people (e.g., [Psalm 34:17](/psalms/34-17 "Psalm 34:17 - The Lord Hears the Righteous")), Job's experience highlights that "answers" may not always come in the form or timing we expect. God's response might be silence, a refining process, or a deeper revelation of His character, as Job eventually experiences in [Job 38](/job/38 "Job 38 - God Answers Job"). This verse underscores the tension between human expectation and divine sovereignty, teaching us that faith is often required even when God's immediate answers seem absent or contrary to our desires.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job 12:4, with its poignant portrayal of the "just upright man" being mocked and scorned despite calling upon God, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Jesus, the perfectly [just and upright Son of God](/john/8-46 "John 8:46 - Jesus' Sinlessness"), lived a life of absolute righteousness, yet He was relentlessly mocked, ridiculed, and ultimately "laughed to scorn" by His neighbors, religious leaders, and even the soldiers who crucified Him (e.g., [Matthew 27:29-31](/matthew/27-29 "Matthew 27:29-31 - The Soldiers Mock Jesus"), [Mark 15:29-32](/mark/15-29 "Mark 15:29-32 - Mockery at the Cross")). Like Job, Jesus cried out to God, famously on the cross, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" ([Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry of Dereliction")), experiencing a profound sense of abandonment and perceived divine silence as He bore the sin of the world. However, unlike Job, whose suffering was for his own refining and a challenge to human theology, Christ's unjust suffering and mockery were redemptive. His perfect righteousness, combined with His willingness to endure the ultimate scorn and apparent divine abandonment, became the means by which humanity could be reconciled to God. The "just upright man" was indeed laughed to scorn, but through that scorn, He secured eternal justice and vindication for all who believe, demonstrating that God's ultimate answer to suffering is found not in immediate earthly deliverance, but in the cross and resurrection of His Son, who was raised to glory after enduring the deepest humiliation ([Philippians 2:8-11](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8-11 - Christ's Humiliation and Exaltation")).

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 21:3

Suffer me that I may speak; and after that I have spoken, mock on.

Job 17:6

He hath made me also a byword of the people; and aforetime I was as a tabret.

Psalms 91:15

He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I [will be] with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.

Job 30:1

¶ But now [they that are] younger than I have me in derision, whose fathers I would have disdained to have set with the dogs of my flock.

Job 17:2

[Are there] not mockers with me? and doth not mine eye continue in their provocation?

Job 16:10

They have gaped upon me with their mouth; they have smitten me upon the cheek reproachfully; they have gathered themselves together against me.

Psalms 22:7

All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, [saying],