Job 27:12

12 You have all seen this yourselves. Why then this meaningless talk?

Job 27:12 in Other Translations

KJV
12 Behold, all ye yourselves have seen it; why then are ye thus altogether vain?
ESV
12 Behold, all of you have seen it yourselves; why then have you become altogether vain?
NLT
12 But you have seen all this, yet you say all these useless things to me.
MSG
12 The evidence is right before you. You can all see it for yourselves, so why do you keep talking nonsense?
CSB
12 All of you have seen [this] for yourselves, why do you keep up this empty talk?

Job 27:12 Meaning and Commentary

Job 27:12

Behold, all ye yourselves have seen [it]
As they were men of observation, at least made great pretensions to it, as well as of age and experience, they must have seen and observed somewhat at least of the above things; they must have seen the wicked, as David afterwards did, spreading himself like a green bay tree, and the hypocrites in easy and flourishing circumstances, and good men labouring under great afflictions and pressures, and Job himself was now an instance of that before their eyes:

why then are ye thus altogether vain?
or "become vain in vanity" F11; so exceeding vain, so excessively trifling, as to speak and act against the dictates of their own conscience, against their own sense, and what they saw with their own eyes, and advance notions so contrary thereunto; as to affirm that evil men are always punished of God in this life, and good men are succeeded and prospered by him; and so from Job's afflictions drew so vain and empty a conclusion, that he must be a wicked man and an hypocrite.


FOOTNOTES:

F11 (wlbht lbh) "vanitate vanescitis", Pagninus, Junius & Tremellius, Michaelis, Schultens; "[vel] evanescitis", Montanus, Bolducius, Beza, Mercerus, Drusius, Piscator, Cocceius.

Job 27:12 In-Context

10 Will they find delight in the Almighty? Will they call on God at all times?
11 “I will teach you about the power of God; the ways of the Almighty I will not conceal.
12 You have all seen this yourselves. Why then this meaningless talk?
13 “Here is the fate God allots to the wicked, the heritage a ruthless man receives from the Almighty:
14 However many his children, their fate is the sword; his offspring will never have enough to eat.
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