Job 12:4
I am as one mocked of his neighbour, who calleth upon God, and he answereth him: the just upright man is laughed to scorn.
Original Language Analysis
אֶֽהְיֶ֗ה
H1961
אֶֽהְיֶ֗ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
3 of 9
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
קֹרֵ֣א
who calleth
H7121
קֹרֵ֣א
who calleth
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
4 of 9
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
וַֽיַּעֲנֵ֑הוּ
and he answereth
H6030
וַֽיַּעֲנֵ֑הוּ
and he answereth
Strong's:
H6030
Word #:
6 of 9
properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,
Cross References
Psalms 91:15He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.Job 30:1But now they that are younger than I have me in derision, whose fathers I would have disdained to have set with the dogs of my flock.Job 21:3Suffer me that I may speak; and after that I have spoken, mock on.Job 17:6He hath made me also a byword of the people; and aforetime I was as a tabret.Job 17:2Are there not mockers with me? and doth not mine eye continue in their provocation?Job 16:10They have gaped upon me with their mouth; they have smitten me upon the cheek reproachfully; they have gathered themselves together against me.
Historical Context
Ancient honor-shame cultures made mockery particularly painful. Job's experience of scorn despite righteousness reveals the world's moral inversion where virtue provokes contempt rather than respect.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you maintain integrity when righteousness brings mockery rather than respect?
- In what ways does Christ's experience of scorn comfort you in unjust suffering?
Analysis & Commentary
Job laments 'I am as one mocked of his neighbour' - the righteous become objects of ridicule. The phrase 'the just upright man is laughed to scorn' captures the world's incomprehension of innocent suffering. This anticipates Christ's mockery at the cross (Matthew 27:39-44).