Job 12:10
In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind.
Original Language Analysis
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
1 of 9
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
בְּ֭יָדוֹ
In whose hand
H3027
בְּ֭יָדוֹ
In whose hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
2 of 9
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
נֶ֣פֶשׁ
is the soul
H5315
נֶ֣פֶשׁ
is the soul
Strong's:
H5315
Word #:
3 of 9
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
4 of 9
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
חָ֑י
of every living thing
H2416
חָ֑י
of every living thing
Strong's:
H2416
Word #:
5 of 9
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
וְ֝ר֗וּחַ
and the breath
H7307
וְ֝ר֗וּחַ
and the breath
Strong's:
H7307
Word #:
6 of 9
wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
7 of 9
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
Cross References
Acts 17:28For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.Job 33:4The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.Numbers 16:22And they fell upon their faces, and said, O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man sin, and wilt thou be wroth with all the congregation?Acts 17:25Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;Job 27:3All the while my breath is in me, and the spirit of God is in my nostrils;Psalms 104:29Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust.Daniel 5:23But hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before thee, and thou, and thy lords, thy wives, and thy concubines, have drunk wine in them; and thou hast praised the gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know: and the God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified:Genesis 2:7And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.John 3:6That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.Genesis 6:17And, behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven; and every thing that is in the earth shall die.
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern creation accounts attributed life to various deities, but Job affirms monotheistic sovereignty. The parallel 'soul/breath' structure emphasizes totality of divine control.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you maintain theological orthodoxy while questioning God's providence?
- What's the difference between questioning God's ways and denying His sovereignty?
Analysis & Commentary
Job affirms 'In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind' - acknowledging God's absolute sovereignty over life and death. Even in complaint, Job maintains orthodox theology. This combination of lament and orthodoxy models faith that questions circumstances without denying truth.