Job 12:3
But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you: yea, who knoweth not such things as these?
Original Language Analysis
גַּם
But
H1571
גַּם
But
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
1 of 13
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
לֹא
H3808
לֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
5 of 13
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
נֹפֵ֣ל
as well as you I am not inferior
H5307
נֹפֵ֣ל
as well as you I am not inferior
Strong's:
H5307
Word #:
6 of 13
to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
מִכֶּ֑ם
H4480
מִכֶּ֑ם
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
8 of 13
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
וְאֶת
H854
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
9 of 13
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
מִי
H4310
מִי
Strong's:
H4310
Word #:
10 of 13
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
Historical Context
Ancient wisdom debates featured rhetoric of superiority/inferiority. Job's assertion of equal understanding challenges the friends' assumption that suffering proves intellectual or moral inferiority.
Questions for Reflection
- When have you been condescended to by those claiming superior spiritual insight?
- How do you resist the temptation to equate suffering with intellectual inferiority?
Analysis & Commentary
Job's sarcastic response 'But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you' reveals frustration with the friends' condescension. The phrase 'who knoweth not such things as these?' mocks their conventional wisdom as obvious platitudes offering no comfort.