Job 23:12

Authorized King James Version

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Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.

Original Language Analysis

מִצְוַ֣ת from the commandment H4687
מִצְוַ֣ת from the commandment
Strong's: H4687
Word #: 1 of 8
a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the law)
שְׂ֭פָתָיו of his lips H8193
שְׂ֭פָתָיו of his lips
Strong's: H8193
Word #: 2 of 8
the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc.)
וְלֹ֣א H3808
וְלֹ֣א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 3 of 8
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
אָמִ֑ישׁ Neither have I gone back H4185
אָמִ֑ישׁ Neither have I gone back
Strong's: H4185
Word #: 4 of 8
to withdraw (both literally and figuratively, whether intransitive or transitive)
מֵ֝חֻקִּ֗י more than my necessary H2706
מֵ֝חֻקִּ֗י more than my necessary
Strong's: H2706
Word #: 5 of 8
an enactment; hence, an appointment (of time, space, quantity, labor or usage)
צָפַ֥נְתִּי I have esteemed H6845
צָפַ֥נְתִּי I have esteemed
Strong's: H6845
Word #: 6 of 8
to hide (by covering over); by implication, to hoard or reserve; figuratively to deny; specifically (favorably) to protect, (unfavorably) to lurk
אִמְרֵי the words H561
אִמְרֵי the words
Strong's: H561
Word #: 7 of 8
something said
פִֽיו׃ of his mouth H6310
פִֽיו׃ of his mouth
Strong's: H6310
Word #: 8 of 8
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos

Analysis & Commentary

Job's testimony reaches devotional heights: "I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food (chukqi, חֻקִּי)." The noun choq refers to that which is decreed or prescribed—Job's portion, his daily sustenance. The verb tsaphan (צָפַן, "esteemed") means to treasure, hide, or store up. Job hasn't merely valued God's word intellectually—he has treasured it as more essential than physical nourishment. This anticipates Christ's declaration, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4). Reformed spirituality emphasizes that Scripture is not merely informative but formative—the means by which God sustains spiritual life. Job's devotion to God's word despite his suffering demonstrates that true faith persists not because circumstances validate our theology, but because God's word itself is self-authenticating truth. This is the testimonium Spiritus Sancti internum—the internal testimony of the Holy Spirit confirming Scripture's authority regardless of external circumstances.

Historical Context

Ancient Israel's relationship with Torah was covenantal and personal, not merely legal. Psalm 1, 19, and 119 celebrate Torah as delight, not burden. Job's claim to treasure God's words recalls Deuteronomy 8:3, where God fed Israel manna to teach that "man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD." For an ancient audience where food security was precarious, Job's claim was radical—he prioritized eternal truth over physical survival.

Questions for Reflection