Job 12:24

24 He takes away the understanding of the leaders of the earth. He makes them wander in a desert where no one lives.

Job 12:24 Meaning and Commentary

Job 12:24

He taketh away the heart of the chief of the people of the
earth
The people of the earth are the common people; the "chief" or "heads" ^F6 of them, as it may be rendered, are kings, princes and generals of armies; whose "hearts" may be said to be "taken away" when they are dispirited, and deprived both of courage and conduct; have neither valour nor wisdom, neither fortitude of mind, nor military skill to defend themselves and their people against their enemies. Sephorno interprets this of Sihon and Og, whose spirits the Lord hardened, and made their hearts obstinate to war with Israel, ( Deuteronomy 2:30 ) ; but it may be better understood of the Israelites, and the heads of them, when they were discomfited by the Amalekites, quickly after their coming out of Egypt, see ( Numbers 14:45 ) ; about which time Job lived: and the rather, since it follows,

and caused them to wander in a wilderness [where there is] no way:
no track, no beaten path to follow, to be a guide to them, and direct their way; in such a wilderness the Israelites wandered near forty years, see ( Psalms 107:40 ) .

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FOOTNOTES:

F6 (yvar) "capitum", Montanus, Cocceius, Schmidt, Michaelis, Schultens.

Job 12:24 In-Context

22 He tells people the secrets of darkness. He brings evil plans out into the light.

23 He makes nations great, and then he destroys them. He makes nations grow, and then he scatters them.

24 He takes away the understanding of the leaders of the earth. He makes them wander in a desert where no one lives.

25 Without any light, they feel their way along in darkness. God makes them unsteady like those who get drunk.