Job 12:9

KJV

Who knoweth not in all these that the hand of the LORD hath wrought this?

KJV (with Strong's)

Who knoweth {H3045} not in all these that the hand {H3027} of the LORD {H3068} hath wrought {H6213} this?

Complete Jewish Bible

every one of them knows that the hand of ADONAI has done this!

Berean Standard Bible

Which of all these does not know that the hand of the LORD has done this?

American Standard Version

Who knoweth not in all these, That the hand of Jehovah hath wrought this,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 12:9 presents a powerful rhetorical question from Job, asserting that the undeniable and pervasive evidence of God's sovereign power and creative agency is so universally manifest throughout creation that its truth should be self-evident to all. In challenging the simplistic, retributive theology of his friends, Job points to the visible and undeniable display of the Lord's active "hand" in orchestrating all things, implying that true wisdom acknowledges God's ultimate and often inscrutable control over every aspect of existence, even amidst profound suffering.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 12:9 is embedded within Job's extended and impassioned rebuttal to his three friends, Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar. These friends have consistently maintained that Job's immense suffering is a direct consequence of his sin, adhering to a rigid theology of divine retribution. Job vehemently rejects their simplistic explanations, which fail to account for the complexity of God's governance. In the verses immediately preceding Job 12:9, Job employs biting sarcasm, suggesting that even the animals of the field, the birds of the air, the fish of the sea, and the very earth itself could instruct his friends on the reality of God's pervasive power and control over all creation. This sets the stage for verse 9, which functions as a climactic rhetorical question, emphasizing the undeniable truth of divine sovereignty and thereby dismantling his friends' limited and flawed understanding of God's complex interaction with the world. Job's broader argument in this section ([Job 12](/job/12 "Job 12 - Job's Response to Zophar") through [Job 14](/job/14 "Job 14 - Job's Lament and Hope")) centers on the incomprehensibility of God's ways and His absolute, unchallengeable sovereignty, which transcends human attempts to neatly categorize or explain His actions.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The ancient Near East, the cultural milieu of the book of Job, widely recognized the concept of divine power and control over the natural world. While the specific attributes and moral character of deities varied across cultures, the notion of a supreme being's involvement in cosmic and earthly affairs was foundational. Wisdom literature, a prominent genre in this period (e.g., Egyptian instructions, Mesopotamian proverbs), frequently grappled with the problem of suffering and the nature of divine justice, yet rarely questioned the deity's ultimate power. The idiom "the hand of the LORD" (יַד־יְהוָה, _yad-Yahweh_) is a deeply entrenched Hebrew expression, signifying God's active power, direct intervention, and sovereign control. It denotes not merely influence but direct, effective agency in bringing about events and sustaining creation. Job's audience, steeped in a worldview where divine involvement in daily life and natural phenomena was assumed, would immediately grasp the profound implications of God's "hand" being at work in "all these" things. The book of Job itself serves as a profound theological challenge to the prevailing retributive theology of its time, pushing its audience to embrace a deeper, more mysterious, and ultimately more truthful understanding of God's relationship with humanity and His governance of the cosmos.
* **Key Themes:** Job 12:9 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes central to the book of Job and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it emphatically underscores the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Omnipotence**, asserting God's absolute power and control over all creation, from the grandest cosmic events to the most minute details of life. The phrase "the hand of the LORD" signifies His active involvement and supreme authority, highlighting that nothing in the universe occurs outside of His sovereign will, as powerfully articulated in passages such as [Daniel 4:35](/daniel/4-35 "Daniel 4:35 - God's Sovereign Dominion"). Secondly, the verse speaks to the concept of **General Revelation**, arguing that God's power and existence are not hidden mysteries but are plainly visible and universally knowable through the natural world. The order, complexity, and sheer power evident in creation speak volumes about its Creator, aligning with other biblical passages that describe [the heavens declaring the glory of God](/psalms/19-1 "Psalm 19:1 - The Heavens Declare God's Glory") and His invisible attributes being clearly seen from what has been made ([Romans 1:20](/romans/1-20 "Romans 1:20 - God's Invisible Attributes Revealed Through Creation")). Thirdly, it embodies Job's **Challenge to Human Presumption and Limited Wisdom**. By posing the question "Who knoweth not in all these...?", Job subtly rebukes his friends, implying that their rigid theological framework fails to grasp this fundamental and widely acknowledged truth of God's unchallengeable power, suggesting that their wisdom is inferior to even the common understanding derived from observing nature.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Knoweth (Hebrew, _yâdaʻ'_):** This verb (H3045) is a primitive root meaning "to know," "to perceive," "to understand," or "to be acquainted with." It encompasses a wide range of knowledge, from simple observation to deep, intimate understanding. In Job 12:9, it implies a knowledge that is not merely intellectual or theoretical, but one that is evident, intuitive, and universally accessible through observation of the created order. Job is asserting that this truth about God's activity is so self-evident that it should be common knowledge, even to those without formal theological training.
* **Hand of the LORD (Hebrew, יַד־יְהוָה, _yâd-Yᵉhôvâh'_):** This is a powerful and common biblical idiom. "Hand" (H3027, _yâd_) is a primitive word referring to the open hand, often indicating power, means, or direction. "LORD" (H3068, _Yᵉhôvâh_) refers to the self-Existent or Eternal God, Jehovah, the covenant name of God. Together, "the hand of the LORD" serves as a metonymy for God's active power, direct intervention, and sovereign control. It signifies divine agency, authority, and the ability to bring about whatever He wills. It is not merely a metaphor for influence but points to His direct, effective action in bringing things to pass, whether in creation, judgment, or deliverance.
* **Wrought (Hebrew, _ʻâsâh'_):** This versatile primitive root (H6213) means "to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application." It can mean "to accomplish," "to create," "to perform," or "to bring about." In this context, it highlights God as the ultimate artisan, orchestrator, and active agent of all that exists and occurs. It conveys the idea of God's purposeful, intentional, and effective work in the world, encompassing both the natural order and the events of human history.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Who knoweth not in all these"**: This opening phrase is a potent rhetorical question, designed not to elicit an answer but to emphasize the undeniable nature of the truth being presented. "All these" refers back explicitly to the preceding verses ([Job 12:7-8](/job/12-7 "Job 12:7-8 - Lessons from Animals and the Earth")), where Job points to the animal kingdom, the birds of the air, the fish of the sea, and the earth itself as witnesses to God's power and wisdom. The implication is that the knowledge of God's sovereign work is so obvious and pervasive in creation that anyone, even the simplest observer, should grasp it. It serves as a profound challenge to his friends' perceived wisdom, suggesting they are missing what is plainly evident to even the non-human world.
* **"that the hand of the LORD"**: This clause identifies the ultimate, singular agent behind all the observable phenomena. "The hand of the LORD," as a powerful idiom, underscores God's active, sovereign power and direct control. It asserts that the events and order of the world are not random, nor are they solely the result of impersonal natural processes or human actions, but are ultimately orchestrated by the divine will and irresistible power of Yahweh, the covenant-keeping God.
* **"hath wrought this?"**: This concluding phrase refers to the comprehensive scope of God's work. "This" encompasses everything that has been observed in creation—the behavior of animals, the processes of nature, the very fabric of existence, and implicitly, the events of human life and suffering. The use of "wrought" emphasizes God's active, intentional, and effective work in bringing all these things into being, sustaining them, and directing their course. The rhetorical question thus asserts that the divine authorship and control over all creation and its unfolding is an undeniable, self-evident truth that should be universally acknowledged.

#### Literary Devices
Job 12:9 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its profound message and underscore Job's argument. The most prominent is the **Rhetorical Question**, "Who knoweth not in all these that the hand of the LORD hath wrought this?" This question is not meant to be answered, but rather to assert an obvious, undeniable truth, implying that the knowledge of God's sovereign work is so universally evident that only the willfully ignorant or intellectually arrogant could miss it. This device serves to forcefully challenge Job's friends' claims of wisdom and highlight their failure to grasp a fundamental reality. Secondly, **Metonymy** is powerfully present in the phrase "the hand of the LORD," where "hand" stands for God's power, agency, and active involvement. It is a part representing the whole, effectively conveying God's direct, personal, and sovereign action in the world. Finally, there is a subtle but potent layer of **Irony** at play. Job's friends present themselves as purveyors of profound divine wisdom, yet Job suggests that even the unthinking creation (animals, earth) possesses a more accurate and fundamental understanding of God's pervasive power than their rigid, limited theological framework allows. This highlights the ironic contrast between their presumed sagacity and their actual limited insight into the true nature of God's governance.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 12:9 stands as a profound declaration of God's absolute sovereignty and the universal accessibility of His power through creation. It resonates deeply with the biblical doctrine of general revelation, asserting that God's existence, power, and attributes are clearly discernible through the natural world, leaving humanity without excuse for denying Him. This verse challenges any human attempt to confine God's actions within predictable, simplistic frameworks, especially concerning suffering, and instead calls for a humble acknowledgment of His inscrutable yet ultimately just and powerful governance over all things. It underscores that true wisdom begins with recognizing and submitting to the Lord's supreme authority, even when His ways are beyond full human comprehension, fostering a posture of awe and reverent trust in His ultimate control over all circumstances.

* [Psalm 19:1](/psalms/19-1 "The Heavens Declare God's Glory")
* [Romans 1:20](/romans/1-20 "God's Invisible Attributes Revealed Through Creation")
* [Isaiah 45:7](/isaiah/45-7 "God as the Creator of Light and Darkness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
In a world often defined by chaos, uncertainty, and profound suffering, Job 12:9 offers both profound comfort and a sobering call to humility. It reminds us that behind the bewildering events of life, whether personal trials or global upheavals, there is an all-powerful, sovereign God whose "hand" is actively at work, orchestrating all things according to His perfect and often mysterious will. This truth should lead us to a deeper, more resilient trust in His ultimate plan, even when His ways are inscrutable or painful to our limited understanding. Rather than striving to fully comprehend or explain God's every action, we are called to acknowledge His undeniable power and wisdom, finding peace and stability in His unshakeable control. It encourages us to cultivate a posture of awe and reverence, recognizing God's signature in the intricate beauty of creation and His sovereign sway over the unfolding of history, including the most intimate details of our personal lives. This perspective transforms our understanding of trials, moving us from despair to a quiet, confident assurance that the Lord "hath wrought this" for His purposes, which are always good, even if currently veiled from our sight.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does acknowledging "the hand of the LORD" in all circumstances, both good and seemingly bad, change your perspective on personal suffering or global events?**
* **In what ways might we, like Job's friends, sometimes try to limit God's sovereignty to fit our own understanding of justice, fairness, or cause-and-effect?**
* **What specific aspects of creation, human history, or your own life experiences most powerfully reveal "the hand of the LORD" to you?**
* **How can cultivating a deeper awareness of God's universal sovereignty lead to greater humility, patience, and trust in your daily walk with Him?**

### FAQ

**What does Job mean by "Who knoweth not in all these that the hand of the LORD hath wrought this?"**

Answer: Job 12:9 is a rhetorical question through which Job asserts that the evidence of God's sovereign power and creative activity is so overwhelmingly obvious in the natural world and in the course of events that it should be universally recognized by all rational beings. When Job says "in all these," he is referring back to his previous statements in [Job 12:7-8](/job/12-7 "Job 12:7-8 - Lessons from Animals and the Earth"), where he sarcastically suggests that even animals, birds, fish, and the earth itself can teach humans about God's power and wisdom. The phrase "the hand of the LORD" is a powerful Hebrew idiom for God's active, direct, and powerful intervention and control over all things. "Hath wrought this" means that God has brought all these things into being, continues to sustain them, and orchestrates their unfolding. Essentially, Job is arguing that it is a self-evident truth that God is in complete, active control of everything, a reality so basic and undeniable that anyone should know it, implying that his friends, despite their claims of wisdom, are missing this fundamental reality of divine sovereignty.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job 12:9, with its powerful affirmation of God's absolute sovereignty and creative agency, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While Job points broadly to the "hand of the LORD" as the orchestrator of all things, the New Testament reveals that this divine "hand" is supremely and personally manifest in the Son. [John 1:3](/john/1-3 "John 1:3 - All Things Made Through Christ") unequivocally declares that "All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made," directly attributing the work of creation to Christ. Similarly, [Colossians 1:16-17](/colossians/1-16 "Colossians 1:16-17 - Christ as Creator and Sustainer") expands on this, stating that "by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible... all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together." This means that the very "this" that the hand of the LORD "hath wrought" is intricately linked to Christ's pre-existent power and ongoing sustenance of the cosmos. Furthermore, Christ's earthly ministry powerfully demonstrated this divine sovereignty over creation (e.g., stilling the storm with a word in [Mark 4:39](/mark/4-39 "Mark 4:39 - Jesus Calms the Storm")) and over life and death (e.g., raising Lazarus from the tomb in [John 11:43-44](/john/11-43 "John 11:43-44 - Jesus Raises Lazarus")). Ultimately, the "hand of the LORD" that "wrought this" is the same hand that was pierced on the cross, accomplishing the greatest work of redemption for humanity, and is now exalted at the right hand of God, wielding all authority in heaven and on earth ([Matthew 28:18](/matthew/28-18 "Matthew 28:18 - All Authority Given to Jesus")). Thus, the universal knowledge of God's power, which Job asserts, culminates in the revelation of Christ, through whom all things exist, are sustained, and are ultimately reconciled to God ([2 Corinthians 5:19](/2_corinthians/5-19 "2 Corinthians 5:19 - God Reconciling the World Through Christ")).

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 41:20

That they may see, and know, and consider, and understand together, that the hand of the LORD hath done this, and the Holy One of Israel hath created it.

Jeremiah 27:5

I have made the earth, the man and the beast that [are] upon the ground, by my great power and by my outstretched arm, and have given it unto whom it seemed meet unto me.

Jeremiah 27:6

And now have I given all these lands into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, my servant; and the beasts of the field have I given him also to serve him.

Romans 11:36

For of him, and through him, and to him, [are] all things: to whom [be] glory for ever. Amen.

Daniel 9:17

Now therefore, O our God, hear the prayer of thy servant, and his supplications, and cause thy face to shine upon thy sanctuary that is desolate, for the Lord's sake.

Acts 19:35

And when the townclerk had appeased the people, he said, [Ye] men of Ephesus, what man is there that knoweth not how that the city of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great goddess Diana, and of the [image] which fell down from Jupiter?

1 Samuel 2:7

The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up.