Job 12:9
Who knoweth not in all these that the hand of the LORD hath wrought this?
Original Language Analysis
מִ֭י
H4310
מִ֭י
Strong's:
H4310
Word #:
1 of 10
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
לֹא
H3808
לֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
2 of 10
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יָדַ֣ע
Who knoweth
H3045
יָדַ֣ע
Who knoweth
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
3 of 10
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
בְּכָל
H3605
בְּכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
4 of 10
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
כִּ֥י
H3588
כִּ֥י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
6 of 10
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יַד
not in all these that the hand
H3027
יַד
not in all these that the hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
7 of 10
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
יְ֝הוָ֗ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְ֝הוָ֗ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
8 of 10
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
Cross References
Isaiah 41:20That they may see, and know, and consider, and understand together, that the hand of the LORD hath done this, and the Holy One of Israel hath created it.Romans 11:36For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.Acts 19:35And when the townclerk had appeased the people, he said, Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there that knoweth not how that the city of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter?Daniel 9:17Now therefore, O our God, hear the prayer of thy servant, and his supplications, and cause thy face to shine upon thy sanctuary that is desolate, for the Lord's sake.1 Samuel 2:7The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up.Daniel 5:18O thou king, the most high God gave Nebuchadnezzar thy father a kingdom, and majesty, and glory, and honour:Job 12:3But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you: yea, who knoweth not such things as these?Job 22:18Yet he filled their houses with good things: but the counsel of the wicked is far from me.
Historical Context
The use of YHWH here is significant—Job isn't questioning whether the covenant God exists or rules, but how His rule operates in a world where the righteous suffer and the wicked prosper.
Questions for Reflection
- How do we affirm God's absolute sovereignty while resisting simplistic explanations of His purposes?
- What is the relationship between God's creative power and His moral governance?
Analysis & Commentary
'Who knoweth not in all these that the hand of the LORD hath wrought this?' Job affirms divine sovereignty—God's 'hand' (יַד, yad) 'wrought' (עָשְׂתָה, astah—made, did) everything. This echoes Genesis 1 and Psalm 104. Job never questions God's sovereignty or creative power; he questions the friends' interpretation of how sovereignty operates. The name 'LORD' (יְהוָה, YHWH) emphasizes covenant faithfulness. Job's point: everyone acknowledges God's creative power, but this doesn't validate the friends' simplistic moral calculus. Divine sovereignty is more complex than reward-and-punishment mechanics. The Reformed emphasis on God's absolute sovereignty includes His freedom to accomplish purposes through means we don't comprehend.