“Truly then you are the people, And with you wisdom will die!
Parallel translations
- WEB “No doubt, but you are the people, and wisdom shall die with you.
- KJV No doubt but ye are the people, and wisdom shall die with you.
- BSB “Truly then you are the people with whom wisdom itself will die!
- NKJV “No doubt you are the people, And wisdom will die with you!
- NLT “You people really know everything, don’t you? And when you die, wisdom will die with you!
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
With biting irony Job says his friends are the people and wisdom will die with them. He mocks their air of superior insight.
Overview
Job uses sarcasm to deflate the friends' presumption that they hold a monopoly on wisdom. His tone exposes how their condescension wounds rather than helps. The episode warns counselors against self-important pride and reminds us that true wisdom comes humbly from God, supremely revealed in Christ (1 Corinthians 1:30; James 3:17).
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 14
- Isa 5:21Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!
- Job 11:6that he would show you the secrets of wisdom! For true wisdom has two sides. Know therefore that God exacts of you less than your iniquity deserves.
- Job 17:4For you have hidden their heart from understanding, Therefore you shall not exalt them.
- Job 6:24–25“Teach me, and I will hold my peace. Cause me to understand wherein I have erred.
- Job 32:7–13I said, ‘Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom.’
- Job 8:8–10“Please inquire of past generations. Find out about the learning of their fathers.
- Prov 28:11The rich man is wise in his own eyes; but the poor who has understanding sees through him.
- Job 20:3I have heard the reproof which puts me to shame. The spirit of my understanding answers me.
- Job 17:10But as for you all, come on now again; I shall not find a wise man among you.
- Job 11:12An empty-headed man becomes wise when a man is born as a wild donkey’s colt.
- 1 Cor 4:10We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You have honor, but we have dishonor.
- Job 15:2“Should a wise man answer with vain knowledge, and fill himself with the east wind?
- Job 11:2“Shouldn’t the multitude of words be answered? Should a man full of talk be justified?
- 1 Cor 6:5I say this to move you to shame. Isn’t there even one wise man among you who would be able to decide between his brothers?
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Job's cry for a mediator who can lay his hand on both God and man, and his confidence that 'my Redeemer lives' and will stand on the earth, reaches forward to Jesus the living Redeemer.
How Job 12:2 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.