Job 12:17
New International Version
He leads rulers away stripped and makes fools of judges.

New Living Translation
He leads counselors away, stripped of good judgment; wise judges become fools.

English Standard Version
He leads counselors away stripped, and judges he makes fools.

Berean Standard Bible
He leads counselors away barefoot and makes fools of judges.

King James Bible
He leadeth counsellers away spoiled, and maketh the judges fools.

New King James Version
He leads counselors away plundered, And makes fools of the judges.

New American Standard Bible
“He makes advisers walk barefoot And makes fools of judges.

NASB 1995
“He makes counselors walk barefoot And makes fools of judges.

NASB 1977
“He makes counselors walk barefoot, And makes fools of judges.

Legacy Standard Bible
He makes counselors walk barefoot And makes fools of judges.

Amplified Bible
“He makes [great and scheming] counselors walk barefoot And makes fools of judges.

Christian Standard Bible
He leads counselors away barefoot and makes judges go mad.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
He leads counselors away barefoot and makes judges go mad.

American Standard Version
He leadeth counsellors away stripped, And judges maketh he fools.

Contemporary English Version
God shames counselors, turns judges into fools,

English Revised Version
He leadeth counsellors away spoiled, and judges maketh he fools.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He leads counselors away barefoot and makes fools out of judges.

Good News Translation
He takes away the wisdom of rulers and makes leaders act like fools.

International Standard Version
He leads counselors away naked; he turns judges into fools.

Majority Standard Bible
He leads counselors away barefoot and makes fools of judges.

NET Bible
He leads counselors away stripped and makes judges into fools.

New Heart English Bible
He leads counselors away stripped. He makes judges fools.

Webster's Bible Translation
He leadeth counselors away spoiled, and maketh the judges fools.

World English Bible
He leads counselors away stripped. He makes judges fools.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Causing counselors to go away [as] a spoil, "" Indeed, He makes fools of judges.

Young's Literal Translation
Causing counsellors to go away a spoil, And judges He maketh foolish.

Smith's Literal Translation
Leading away counselors stripped off and he will make foolish the judges.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
He bringeth counsellors to a foolish end, and judges to insensibility.

Catholic Public Domain Version
He leads advisors to a foolish end and judges to stupidity.

New American Bible
He sends counselors away barefoot, makes fools of judges.

New Revised Standard Version
He leads counselors away stripped, and makes fools of judges.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
He leads kings amazingly, and makes judges fools.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
He governs Kings with awe and Judges he drives mad
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
He leadeth counsellors away stripped, And judges maketh He fools.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
He leads counsellors away captive, and maddens the judges of the earth.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Job Responds to Zophar
16True wisdom and power belong to Him. The deceived and the deceiver are His. 17He leads counselors away barefoot and makes fools of judges. 18He loosens the bonds placed by kings and fastens a belt around their waists.…

Cross References
Isaiah 44:25
who foils the signs of false prophets and makes fools of diviners, who confounds the wise and turns their knowledge into nonsense,

1 Corinthians 1:19-20
For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” / Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?

Isaiah 29:14
Therefore I will again confound these people with wonder upon wonder. The wisdom of the wise will vanish, and the intelligence of the intelligent will be hidden.”

Daniel 2:21
He changes the times and seasons; He removes kings and establishes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.

Romans 1:22
Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools,

1 Corinthians 3:19-20
For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness.” / And again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.”

Isaiah 19:11-13
The princes of Zoan are mere fools; Pharaoh’s wise counselors give senseless advice. How can you say to Pharaoh, “I am one of the wise, a son of eastern kings”? / Where are your wise men now? Let them tell you and reveal what the LORD of Hosts has planned against Egypt. / The princes of Zoan have become fools; the princes of Memphis are deceived. The cornerstones of her tribes have led Egypt astray.

Jeremiah 8:9
The wise will be put to shame; they will be dismayed and trapped. Since they have rejected the word of the LORD, what wisdom do they really have?

Psalm 107:40
He pours out contempt on the nobles and makes them wander in a trackless wasteland.

Isaiah 40:23
He brings the princes to nothing and makes the rulers of the earth meaningless.

2 Samuel 15:31
Now someone told David: “Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.” So David pleaded, “O LORD, please turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness!”

Ezekiel 13:3
This is what the Lord GOD says: Woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit yet have seen nothing.

Matthew 11:25
At that time Jesus declared, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.

Luke 10:21
At that time Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and declared, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was well-pleasing in Your sight.

1 Corinthians 1:27
But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.


Treasury of Scripture

He leads counsellors away spoiled, and makes the judges fools.

2 Samuel 15:31
And one told David, saying, Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, O LORD, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.

2 Samuel 17:14,23
And Absalom and all the men of Israel said, The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel. For the LORD had appointed to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, to the intent that the LORD might bring evil upon Absalom…

Isaiah 19:12-14
Where are they? where are thy wise men? and let them tell thee now, and let them know what the LORD of hosts hath purposed upon Egypt…

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Job 12
1. Job maintains himself against his friends that reprove him
7. He acknowledges the doctrine of God's omnipotence














He leads counselors away barefoot
This phrase suggests a reversal of status and dignity. In ancient times, counselors were esteemed for their wisdom and guidance. Being led away barefoot implies humiliation and defeat, as going barefoot was often a sign of poverty or captivity (Isaiah 20:2-4). This imagery reflects God's sovereignty over human wisdom and authority, emphasizing that even the most respected advisors are subject to His will. The idea of God humbling the proud is a recurring theme in Scripture, as seen in Proverbs 3:34 and James 4:6.

and makes fools of judges
Judges were figures of authority and justice, expected to uphold truth and righteousness. The phrase indicates that God can confound those who are wise in their own eyes, turning their judgments into folly. This echoes the biblical principle that true wisdom comes from God alone (Proverbs 1:7). The notion of God making fools of the wise is also found in 1 Corinthians 1:20, where Paul speaks of God nullifying the wisdom of the world. This serves as a reminder of the limitations of human understanding and the ultimate authority of God over all earthly powers.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Job
The central figure in the Book of Job, a man of great faith and patience who undergoes severe trials and suffering. In this chapter, Job is responding to his friends, defending his understanding of God's sovereignty.

2. Counselors
These are individuals who are typically wise and provide guidance. In the context of this verse, they are led away barefoot, symbolizing their loss of status and dignity.

3. Judges
Those who are expected to uphold justice and make wise decisions. The verse indicates that God can make them appear foolish, highlighting His ultimate authority over human wisdom and justice.

4. God
The sovereign being who has the power to humble the wise and the mighty, demonstrating His control over all human affairs.

5. The Book of Job
A poetic and philosophical text in the Old Testament that explores themes of suffering, justice, and the nature of God.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty Over Human Wisdom
God has the ultimate authority over all human wisdom and institutions. No matter how wise or powerful individuals may seem, they are subject to God's will and can be humbled by Him.

The Limitations of Human Understanding
Human wisdom and judgment are limited and fallible. We must rely on God's wisdom and seek His guidance in all matters.

Humility Before God
Recognizing God's power to humble the mighty should lead us to approach Him with humility, acknowledging our dependence on His wisdom and grace.

Trust in God's Justice
Even when human justice systems fail or seem unjust, we can trust that God is the ultimate judge who will bring about true justice in His time.

The Role of Suffering in Understanding God
Job's experiences remind us that suffering can deepen our understanding of God's character and our relationship with Him, even when we do not fully understand His ways.Verse 17. - He leadeth counsellors away spoiled. The wise of the earth cannot resist or escape him; he frustrates their designs and overthrows them, and, as it were, leads them away captive. And maketh the judges fools; rather, and judges maketh he fools. There is no article, and no particular judges are referred to (comp. Isaiah 44:25).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
He leads counselors
יוֹעֲצִ֣ים (yō·w·‘ă·ṣîm)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 3289: To advise, to deliberate, resolve

away
מוֹלִ֣יךְ (mō·w·lîḵ)
Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

barefoot
שׁוֹלָ֑ל (šō·w·lāl)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 7758: Nude, captive

and makes fools
יְהוֹלֵֽל׃ (yə·hō·w·lêl)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1984: To shine

of judges.
וְֽשֹׁפְטִ֥ים (wə·šō·p̄ə·ṭîm)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 8199: To judge, pronounce sentence, to vindicate, punish, to govern, to litigate


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OT Poetry: Job 12:17 He leads counselors away stripped (Jb)
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