Job 5:12

KJV

He disappointeth the devices of the crafty, so that their hands cannot perform [their] enterprise.

KJV (with Strong's)

He disappointeth {H6565} the devices {H4284} of the crafty {H6175}, so that their hands {H3027} cannot perform {H6213} their enterprise {H8454}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He frustrates the schemes of the cunning, so that they achieve no success;

Berean Standard Bible

He thwarts the schemes of the crafty, so that their hands find no success.

American Standard Version

He frustrateth the devices of the crafty, So that their hands cannot perform their enterprise.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 5:12, a declaration by Eliphaz the Temanite, asserts God's absolute power to nullify the cunning schemes of the wicked, rendering their malicious intentions and efforts utterly ineffective. This verse encapsulates a fundamental truth about divine sovereignty: no human design, however shrewdly conceived or malevolently purposed, can ultimately succeed if it stands in opposition to God's righteous will, ensuring that the enterprise of the crafty is brought to nothing by His hand.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within Eliphaz's first speech to Job, found in [Job 4](/job/4 "Job 4 - Eliphaz's First Speech") and [Job 5](/job/5 "Job 5 - Eliphaz Continues"). Eliphaz, one of Job's three friends, attempts to explain Job's immense suffering through the lens of traditional wisdom theology, which posits a direct correlation between sin and suffering. In this particular section, Eliphaz is articulating God's active role in the world, specifically in bringing down the proud and frustrating the plans of those who scheme with cunning and malice. He uses general statements about God's justice to subtly imply that Job's suffering must stem from some hidden sin, suggesting that God is "disappointing" Job's own "devices." The verse serves as a general affirmation of divine control over human endeavors, particularly those driven by selfish or malicious intent, aiming to reassure Job (from Eliphaz's perspective) that God deals justly with the wicked and will ultimately deliver the righteous.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Book of Job is a masterpiece of wisdom literature, set in the ancient Near East, likely during a patriarchal period. The cultural backdrop emphasizes a strong belief in divine retribution, where prosperity is seen as a sign of God's favor and suffering as a consequence of sin. This worldview, shared by Job's friends, was prevalent in the region, though the book itself challenges its simplistic application. The "crafty" (Hebrew, `ʻârûwm`, H6175) would have been understood as those who use their intelligence for self-serving or malicious ends, often through deceit or manipulation, in contrast to true wisdom (Hebrew, `chokmah`), which aligns with divine principles. The concept of God actively intervening in human affairs to uphold justice and thwart evil was a cornerstone of their understanding of the divine order, reflecting a world where divine power was seen as immediate and tangible.

* **Key Themes:** The verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within the Book of Job and broader biblical theology. Foremost is **Divine Sovereignty**, emphasizing God's absolute authority and control over all circumstances and human designs. No human scheme, however well-conceived or cunning, can ultimately succeed if it stands contrary to God's will or righteous purposes, as illustrated throughout Scripture, for example, in the tower of Babel narrative in [Genesis 11](/genesis/11 "Genesis 11 - The Tower of Babel"). Another crucial theme is **Divine Justice and Intervention**, highlighting God's active role in upholding justice by frustrating the designs of the wicked. This suggests that God directly intervenes to protect the innocent and ensure that evil plots fail, a truth echoed in [Psalm 37](/psalms/37 "Psalm 37 - The Destiny of the Wicked and the Righteous"). Finally, the verse underscores the **Futility of Human Craftiness**, vividly portraying the ultimate uselessness of human cunning, deceit, and manipulation when confronted by divine power. Those who plot with shrewdness or malice ("the crafty") find their efforts rendered completely ineffective by God's hand, a concept frequently found in the wisdom literature, such as [Proverbs 21:30](/proverbs/21-30 "Proverbs 21:30 - No Wisdom Against the Lord").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Disappointeth (Hebrew, _pârar'_):** This verb (H6565) means to break up (usually figuratively), i.e., to violate, frustrate, or make of none effect. It implies a complete nullification or bringing to nothing, not merely a hindrance or a temporary setback. When God "disappoints" a plan, He utterly shatters its effectiveness, rendering it powerless to achieve its intended outcome.
* **Devices (Hebrew, _machăshâbâh'_):** This noun (H4284) refers to a contrivance, intention, or plan. It can denote a good purpose or, as in this context, a bad one—a plot or scheme. Here, it specifically refers to the thoughts, designs, or strategies conceived by the crafty, often with a connotation of malicious intent or cunning.
* **Crafty (Hebrew, _ʻârûwm'_):** This passive participle (H6175) describes someone who is cunning, prudent, or subtle. While it can sometimes carry a neutral or even positive sense (as in practical wisdom), in this context, especially when paired with "devices" (H4284) that are being frustrated by God, it clearly denotes negative cunning, deceitful plotting, or malicious shrewdness employed for self-serving or harmful purposes.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He disappointeth the devices":** The subject "He" refers to God, indicating His active and sovereign intervention. God is portrayed as the one who directly and decisively nullifies, breaks, or brings to nothing the "devices"—the thoughts, plans, purposes, or schemes—that are conceived. This emphasizes divine control over human intentions and their potential outcomes.
* **"of the crafty":** This specifies the origin of these "devices." They are not the plans of the righteous or the wise in a godly sense, but rather the schemes of those who operate with cunning, shrewdness, and often malicious intent. Their craftiness is employed for self-serving or harmful purposes.
* **"so that their hands cannot perform [their] enterprise":** This clause describes the direct consequence of God's intervention. The "hands" represent the agents themselves or their power to act, while "enterprise" signifies their intended undertaking or work. The result is total inability: despite their cunning and effort, the crafty are rendered utterly powerless to bring their plans to fruition or achieve their goals. Their work is futile.

#### Literary Devices
Eliphaz employs several literary devices to underscore his point about God's sovereignty. **Personification** is subtly present as "hands" are depicted as having the ability (or inability) to "perform," representing the agents themselves. **Metonymy** is also at play, where "hands" stand in for the power, effort, or agency of the crafty individuals, and "enterprise" stands for their entire planned undertaking. The verse also utilizes **Contrast**, implicitly setting God's omnipotent power against the impotence of human cunning when it opposes His will. This highlights the vast disparity between divine wisdom and human craftiness. Furthermore, the phrasing "cannot perform" carries an element of **Hyperbole**, emphasizing the absolute and complete failure of the crafty, rather than merely a partial or temporary setback.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 5:12 articulates a profound theological truth: God's sovereignty extends over all human plans, particularly those conceived with malice or cunning. This verse assures us that while evil may devise intricate schemes, God ultimately holds the power to thwart them, ensuring that His righteous purposes prevail. It speaks to the futility of relying on human manipulation or deceit, reminding us that true wisdom and lasting success come only through alignment with God's will. This theme is consistently woven throughout Scripture, affirming God's ultimate control over history and human destiny, providing comfort to the righteous and a warning to those who plot evil.

* [Psalm 33:10-11](/psalms/33-10-11 "Psalm 33:10-11 - God Thwarts the Nations' Plans")
* [Proverbs 19:21](/proverbs/19-21 "Proverbs 19:21 - The Lord's Purpose Prevails")
* [Isaiah 8:10](/isaiah/8-10 "Isaiah 8:10 - Plans Come to Nothing")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
For believers, Job 5:12 offers profound comfort and encouragement. It assures us that even when facing cunning adversaries, deceitful plots, or seemingly insurmountable obstacles orchestrated by human malice, God is ultimately in control. We can trust that He will frustrate the plans of those who work against His righteous purposes and His people. This truth liberates us from anxiety and the temptation to resort to our own "crafty devices" to navigate difficult situations. Instead, it calls us to rely on God's wisdom, justice, and perfect timing, rather than human cleverness or manipulation. For those who might be tempted to use manipulation, deceit, or ungodly strategies to achieve their goals, the verse serves as a powerful warning: their "enterprise" will ultimately fail because it stands against a sovereign God who "disappointeth the devices of the crafty." It compels us to walk in integrity, knowing that God's way is the only path to true and lasting success.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does this verse challenge our reliance on human strategies, especially those that might be manipulative or self-serving?**
* **In what ways can recognizing God's sovereignty over "crafty devices" bring comfort and peace in difficult situations?**
* **What does this verse teach us about the nature of true wisdom versus worldly cunning?**

### FAQ
**Is this verse a promise that all evil plans will immediately fail?**

Answer: Not necessarily immediately, but it is a declaration of God's ultimate control and the futility of plans *against His will*. Evil may temporarily appear to succeed, and the wicked may seem to prosper for a time, but Job 5:12 speaks to God's overarching sovereignty and the assured failure of any enterprise that fundamentally opposes His divine purpose. It's a statement of divine principle, assuring that God's ultimate purpose will prevail, and that the "crafty" will find their efforts ultimately brought to nothing, even if the timeline is not always immediate. This truth is reinforced by passages like [Psalm 73](/psalms/73 "Psalm 73 - The Prosperity of the Wicked").

**How does Eliphaz's statement here relate to Job's suffering?**

Answer: Eliphaz, operating under the traditional belief that suffering is a direct consequence of sin, uses this general truth about God's justice to imply that Job's immense suffering must be a result of some hidden "crafty device" or sin on Job's part. He suggests that God is now "disappointing" Job's supposed hidden wickedness. While the verse itself declares a profound truth about God's character, Eliphaz misapplies it to Job's specific situation, failing to understand that Job's suffering was not due to sin but was part of a larger divine test, as revealed in [Job 1](/job/1 "Job 1 - Job's Integrity Tested").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job 5:12 finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, where God's sovereign power to thwart the "devices of the crafty" is most profoundly demonstrated. The greatest "enterprise" of the crafty, orchestrated by Satan and human malice, was the crucifixion of Jesus, intended to destroy God's plan of redemption. Yet, in God's divine wisdom, this very act became the means of salvation, turning the ultimate evil into the ultimate good. As [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph over Principalities") declares, Christ "disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross." The "wisdom of this world," which plotted against God's Son, was made foolish by the "foolishness" of the cross, as [1 Corinthians 1:27-28](/1_corinthians/1-27-28 "1 Corinthians 1:27-28 - God Chooses the Foolish") explains, "God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong." From the protoevangelium in [Genesis 3:15](/genesis/3-15 "Genesis 3:15 - Protoevangelium"), foreshadowing the crushing of the serpent's head, to Jesus' triumph over death and the grave, God continually "disappoints the devices" of the enemy, ensuring that His kingdom will ultimately prevail and that no scheme against His eternal purpose can stand. Through Christ, the power of sin and death, the ultimate "enterprise" of the crafty one, has been utterly nullified, fulfilling the promise of Job 5:12 in the most glorious way.

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

Psalms 33:10

The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect.

Psalms 33:11

The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.

Psalms 21:11

For they intended evil against thee: they imagined a mischievous device, [which] they are not able [to perform].

Isaiah 8:10

Take counsel together, and it shall come to nought; speak the word, and it shall not stand: for God [is] with us.

Proverbs 21:30

¶ [There is] no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.

Psalms 37:17

For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the LORD upholdeth the righteous.

Nehemiah 4:15

And it came to pass, when our enemies heard that it was known unto us, and God had brought their counsel to nought, that we returned all of us to the wall, every one unto his work.