Job 12:16
With him is strength and wisdom: the deceived and the deceiver are his.
Original Language Analysis
עִ֭מּוֹ
H5973
עִ֭מּוֹ
Strong's:
H5973
Word #:
1 of 6
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
עֹ֣ז
With him is strength
H5797
עֹ֣ז
With him is strength
Strong's:
H5797
Word #:
2 of 6
strength in various applications (force, security, majesty, praise)
וְתֽוּשִׁיָּ֑ה
and wisdom
H8454
וְתֽוּשִׁיָּ֑ה
and wisdom
Strong's:
H8454
Word #:
3 of 6
support or (by implication) ability, i.e., (direct) help, (in purpose) an undertaking, (intellectual) understanding
Cross References
Job 13:9Is it good that he should search you out? or as one man mocketh another, do ye so mock him?Ezekiel 14:9And if the prophet be deceived when he hath spoken a thing, I the LORD have deceived that prophet, and I will stretch out my hand upon him, and will destroy him from the midst of my people Israel.
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern theodicy struggled with divine sovereignty over evil. Job here boldly asserts what later Reformed theology would systematize: God's sovereign control extends even over deception, without making God a deceiver.
Questions for Reflection
- How do we affirm God's sovereignty over all things without making Him the author of evil?
- What comfort exists in knowing even deception and error ultimately serve God's purposes?
Analysis & Commentary
'With him is strength and wisdom: the deceived and the deceiver are his.' Job affirms God possesses both 'strength' (עֹז, oz—might, power) and 'wisdom' (תּוּשִׁיָּה, tushiyyah—sound wisdom, abiding success). But shockingly, both 'deceived' (שֹׁגֵג, shogeg—erring one) and 'deceiver' (מַשְׁגֶּה, mashgeh—one causing error) belong to God—are under His sovereignty. This isn't affirming moral equivalence but asserting comprehensive divine control. God's purposes incorporate even deception and error (1 Kings 22:19-23, 2 Thessalonians 2:11). This demonstrates sovereignty beyond simplistic moralism. The Reformed doctrine of providence affirms God ordains whatsoever comes to pass, including evil, without being evil's author. This mystery troubles those demanding simple answers.