Job 12:14
Behold, he breaketh down, and it cannot be built again: he shutteth up a man, and there can be no opening.
Original Language Analysis
יַ֭הֲרוֹס
Behold he breaketh down
H2040
יַ֭הֲרוֹס
Behold he breaketh down
Strong's:
H2040
Word #:
2 of 9
to pull down or in pieces, break, destroy
וְלֹ֣א
H3808
וְלֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
3 of 9
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִבָּנֶ֑ה
and it cannot be built again
H1129
יִבָּנֶ֑ה
and it cannot be built again
Strong's:
H1129
Word #:
4 of 9
to build (literally and figuratively)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
6 of 9
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
אִ֝֗ישׁ
a man
H376
אִ֝֗ישׁ
a man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
7 of 9
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
Cross References
Revelation 3:7And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;Isaiah 22:22And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder; so he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open.Malachi 1:4Whereas Edom saith, We are impoverished, but we will return and build the desolate places; thus saith the LORD of hosts, They shall build, but I will throw down; and they shall call them, The border of wickedness, and, The people against whom the LORD hath indignation for ever.Job 11:10If he cut off, and shut up, or gather together, then who can hinder him?Job 37:7He sealeth up the hand of every man; that all men may know his work.Job 19:10He hath destroyed me on every side, and I am gone: and mine hope hath he removed like a tree.Job 16:11God hath delivered me to the ungodly, and turned me over into the hands of the wicked.Jeremiah 51:58Thus saith the LORD of hosts; The broad walls of Babylon shall be utterly broken, and her high gates shall be burned with fire; and the people shall labour in vain, and the folk in the fire, and they shall be weary.1 Samuel 26:8Then said Abishai to David, God hath delivered thine enemy into thine hand this day: now therefore let me smite him, I pray thee, with the spear even to the earth at once, and I will not smite him the second time.1 Samuel 17:46This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern building and imprisonment imagery depicts both human activity and divine power. Job uses these metaphors to describe God's irreversible decrees, anticipating his eventual submission (42:2).
Questions for Reflection
- How do you submit to God's sovereignty when His decrees seem destructive?
- What comfort exists in divine power that seems arbitrary?
Analysis & Commentary
Job describes God's absolute power: 'Behold, he breaketh down, and it cannot be built again: he shutteth up a man, and there can be no opening.' This recognition of divine sovereignty that can seem arbitrary and destructive leads Job toward submission, though not yet acceptance.