Job 5:13

KJV

He taketh the wise in their own craftiness: and the counsel of the froward is carried headlong.

KJV (with Strong's)

He taketh {H3920} the wise {H2450} in their own craftiness {H6193}: and the counsel {H6098} of the froward {H6617} is carried headlong {H4116}.

Complete Jewish Bible

trapping the crafty in their own tricks and foiling quickly the plans of the false.

Berean Standard Bible

He catches the wise in their craftiness, and sweeps away the plans of the cunning.

American Standard Version

He taketh the wise in their own craftiness; And the counsel of the cunning is carried headlong.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 5:13, spoken by Eliphaz, encapsulates a timeless truth regarding God's absolute sovereignty over human wisdom and wickedness. It asserts that the Almighty possesses the power to ensnare the cunning in their own schemes and to swiftly bring the perverse plans of the deceitful to naught. While part of a flawed theological argument from Job's friend, this proverb-like declaration powerfully affirms divine wisdom's triumph over human folly and malice, demonstrating God's ultimate control over the affairs of humanity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 5:13 is found within the first speech of Eliphaz the Temanite, one of Job's three friends, who has come to comfort him in his suffering. Eliphaz's discourse (Job 4-5) attempts to explain Job's plight through a conventional understanding of divine retribution: suffering is a consequence of sin. He appeals to his own observations and a vision, asserting that the wicked inevitably reap what they sow, and implying that Job's suffering must therefore be due to some hidden sin. Verse 13 serves as a proverbial statement within Eliphaz's argument, intended to illustrate God's just governance of the world, specifically His ability to frustrate the plans of the wicked. While the friends' overall theological framework is ultimately critiqued by God (cf. [Job 42:7](/job/42-7 "Job 42:7 - God Rebukes Job's Friends")), this particular verse stands as a profound truth, echoed elsewhere in biblical wisdom literature, about God's superior wisdom and control over human cunning.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Book of Job is set in the ancient Near East, a region where wisdom literature flourished, often exploring themes of justice, suffering, and the nature of divine governance. In this cultural milieu, "wisdom" could refer to practical shrewdness, intellectual discernment, or even cunning and manipulative skill. Counselors and "wise men" held significant influence, advising rulers and shaping societal norms. The concept of divine justice was deeply ingrained, though often simplistically understood as direct, immediate retribution for sin. Job 5:13 reflects a common ancient Near Eastern understanding of a deity who actively intervenes in human affairs, particularly to uphold justice and frustrate those who operate outside divine order. It aligns with the broader biblical emphasis on God's active involvement in history and His ultimate control over human endeavors, even those devised in secret or with malicious intent.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes within the book of Job and wider biblical theology. Firstly, it underscores the **Sovereignty of God** over all human affairs, including the most intricate and deceitful plans. God's wisdom is portrayed as infinitely superior to human intellect, capable of turning human cunning back on itself. Secondly, it highlights the theme of **Divine Justice**, demonstrating that God actively frustrates the schemes of the wicked and perverse. This provides a counterpoint to the apparent injustice Job experiences, hinting at a higher, inscrutable divine order that ultimately prevails. Thirdly, it touches upon the **Folly of Human Self-Reliance**, particularly when it leads to arrogance or malice. Those who trust in their own "craftiness" apart from God are destined for downfall, a truth echoed throughout the wisdom literature (e.g., [Proverbs 3:5-7](/proverbs/3-5 "Proverbs 3:5-7 - Trust in the Lord")). The verse serves as a powerful reminder that true wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord (cf. [Proverbs 9:10](/proverbs/9-10 "Proverbs 9:10 - The Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Wisdom")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Craftiness (Hebrew, _‘ormah'_ עָרְמָה):** This term carries a dual connotation in Hebrew. While it can denote positive shrewdness or prudence (e.g., [Proverbs 1:4](/proverbs/1-4 "Proverbs 1:4 - The Purpose of Proverbs")), in contexts like Job 5:13, it leans towards negative cunning, deceit, or guile. Here, it describes the clever, often manipulative, strategies devised by those who rely solely on their own intellect, often with selfish or malicious intent, seeking to outwit others or circumvent divine principles.
* **Froward (Hebrew, _niphtal'_ נִפְתָּל):** Derived from a root meaning "to twist" or "to wrestle," _niphtal_ describes someone who is perverse, crooked, or morally twisted in character and intention. It denotes a person whose path is devious and whose counsel is inherently deceitful or malicious, acting contrary to what is right and just.
* **Carried Headlong (Hebrew, _nimharah'_ נִמְהֲרָה):** This word implies a swift, sudden, and often disastrous outcome. It suggests that the counsel or plans of the froward are not merely thwarted but are brought to a rapid, decisive, and often self-destructive end. Their schemes collapse precipitously, often resulting in their own undoing, rather than a slow, gradual decline.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He taketh the wise in their own craftiness":** This clause highlights God's active intervention and superior wisdom. The "wise" here refers not to those who possess godly wisdom, but to those who are shrewd or cunning in a worldly sense, relying on their own cleverness and manipulative schemes. God "takes" or ensnares them, implying that their very ingenuity and deceit become the instruments of their downfall. Their meticulously planned strategies, designed to achieve their own ends, are precisely what God uses to trap them, turning their own devices against them.
* **"and the counsel of the froward is carried headlong":** This second clause reinforces the first, focusing on the outcome for those who are morally perverse or crooked. Their "counsel" – their plans, intentions, or advice – is brought to a swift and ruinous end. The image of being "carried headlong" suggests a sudden, uncontrolled, and often self-inflicted collapse. God ensures that their twisted schemes do not achieve their intended purpose but instead lead to their own swift and decisive undoing, often exposing their folly in the process.

#### Literary Devices
Job 5:13 employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound truth. It functions as a **Proverbial Statement**, condensing a universal truth about divine justice and human folly into a concise, memorable form. The verse exhibits clear **Antithetical Parallelism**, where the two clauses, though distinct, reinforce a single overarching idea from different angles: God's power to frustrate human cunning. "He taketh the wise in their own craftiness" (focus on the individual's cunning) is paralleled by "the counsel of the froward is carried headlong" (focus on the plans of the perverse). This parallelism emphasizes the comprehensive nature of God's sovereignty. Furthermore, the verse uses **Anthropomorphism** by attributing human-like actions ("taketh," "carried headlong") to God, making His active involvement in frustrating human schemes more vivid and relatable. The imagery of being "taken" or "carried headlong" also evokes a sense of divine entrapment and swift judgment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 5:13 articulates a foundational biblical truth: God's wisdom and power are infinitely superior to any human cunning or malicious design. It asserts that no human scheme, however clever or devious, can ultimately thwart the divine will or escape divine judgment. This verse underscores the theme of divine sovereignty, demonstrating that God is not a passive observer but an active participant in human affairs, capable of turning the very instruments of human wickedness against their perpetrators. It serves as a profound assurance that justice will ultimately prevail and that those who trust in their own shrewdness apart from God are building on a foundation of sand. This truth resonates throughout Scripture, affirming God's ultimate control over all nations and individuals, ensuring that His purposes will stand.

* [1 Corinthians 3:19](/1_corinthians/3-19 "1 Corinthians 3:19 - God Traps the Wise in Their Own Craftiness")
* [Psalm 33:10](/psalm/33-10 "Psalm 33:10 - The Lord Frustrates the Counsel of Nations")
* [Proverbs 26:27](/proverbs/26-27 "Proverbs 26:27 - He Who Digs a Pit Will Fall Into It")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 5:13 offers both a sobering warning and a profound comfort for believers today. It warns against the temptation to rely on our own cleverness, manipulation, or deceit to navigate life's challenges or to gain an advantage. In a world that often rewards shrewdness and strategic maneuvering, this verse reminds us that true wisdom comes from God alone, and any attempt to circumvent His righteous ways through cunning will ultimately lead to self-inflicted downfall. It calls us to humility, integrity, and a steadfast trust in God's perfect timing and methods, rather than resorting to worldly tactics. Conversely, for those who feel vulnerable to the schemes of the wicked, or who face injustice and malicious plots, this verse provides immense comfort. It assures us that God sees, God knows, and God is actively at work to frustrate the counsel of the perverse. We are encouraged to rest in His sovereignty, knowing that He will turn the tables on those who devise evil, often using their own wickedness as the means of their undoing. This truth liberates us from the burden of retaliation and empowers us to live righteously, trusting that divine justice will ultimately prevail.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life am I tempted to rely on my own "craftiness" rather than trusting God's wisdom and timing?**
* **How does the truth of God frustrating the plans of the wicked bring me comfort or challenge my perspective on current injustices?**
* **What does it mean practically to live with integrity and humility, knowing that God "takes the wise in their own craftiness"?**

### FAQ
**Does this verse imply that all human wisdom is inherently bad?**

Answer: Not at all. The Bible highly values wisdom (e.g., [Proverbs 4:7](/proverbs/4-7 "Proverbs 4:7 - Wisdom is the Principal Thing")). However, Job 5:13 specifically refers to "craftiness" (_‘ormah_), which, in this context, denotes a cunning or shrewdness that operates independently of, or in opposition to, God's righteous ways. It's wisdom applied for selfish, manipulative, or malicious ends, rather than for truth, justice, or the common good. God does not frustrate true, godly wisdom, but rather the distorted, self-serving cleverness that seeks to outwit others or even God Himself.

**How can I reconcile this verse with the fact that sometimes wicked people seem to succeed in their plans?**

Answer: While Job 5:13 states a profound truth about God's ultimate sovereignty, it doesn't promise immediate or visible judgment in every instance. The book of Job itself grapples with the question of why the righteous suffer and the wicked sometimes prosper, a theme explored throughout wisdom literature (e.g., [Psalm 73](/psalm/73 "Psalm 73 - The Prosperity of the Wicked")). This verse speaks to God's *ability* and *ultimate* intention to frustrate such plans, often in ways that are not immediately apparent to human observers. It may happen through unforeseen circumstances, the exposure of their deceit, or even through their own internal divisions. Ultimately, the Bible teaches that all will stand before God's judgment, and no wicked scheme will escape His final reckoning (cf. [Romans 2:6](/romans/2-6 "Romans 2:6 - God Will Repay Each Person According to What They Have Done")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job 5:13 finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who perfectly embodies divine wisdom and decisively defeats the "counsel of the froward." The world's "wise" and "crafty" leaders, from Herod to Pilate, conspired to kill Jesus, believing they were eliminating a threat and securing their power. Yet, in their very act of crucifying Him, they unwittingly fulfilled God's eternal plan for salvation (cf. [Acts 2:23](/acts/2-23 "Acts 2:23 - God's Deliberate Plan and Foreknowledge")). The cross, which worldly wisdom considered foolishness and a stumbling block, became God's ultimate display of wisdom and power, "taking the wise in their own craftiness" by turning their greatest act of malice into the means of redemption (cf. [1 Corinthians 1:18-25](/1_corinthians/1-18 "1 Corinthians 1:18-25 - The Message of the Cross is Foolishness to the World")). Jesus, as the very wisdom of God incarnate (cf. [Colossians 2:3](/colossians/2-3 "Colossians 2:3 - In Christ Are Hidden All the Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledge")), perfectly demonstrated how divine wisdom confounds human schemes. His resurrection definitively "carried headlong" the counsel of Satan and all those who opposed God's kingdom, proving that no earthly power or spiritual darkness can ultimately thwart God's sovereign will. Through Christ, the "froward" counsel of sin and death is utterly defeated, and God's righteous plan for humanity is eternally established (cf. [Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Jesus Destroys the One Who Has the Power of Death")).

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 9:15

The heathen are sunk down in the pit [that] they made: in the net which they hid is their own foot taken.

Psalms 9:16

The LORD is known [by] the judgment [which] he executeth: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah.

1 Corinthians 3:19

For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.

Luke 1:51

He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

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?

Psalms 18:26

With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt shew thyself froward.