Job 12:18
New International Version
He takes off the shackles put on by kings and ties a loincloth around their waist.

New Living Translation
He removes the royal robe of kings. They are led away with ropes around their waist.

English Standard Version
He looses the bonds of kings and binds a waistcloth on their hips.

Berean Standard Bible
He loosens the bonds placed by kings and fastens a belt around their waists.

King James Bible
He looseth the bond of kings, and girdeth their loins with a girdle.

New King James Version
He loosens the bonds of kings, And binds their waist with a belt.

New American Standard Bible
“He undoes the binding of kings, And ties a loincloth around their waist.

NASB 1995
“He loosens the bond of kings And binds their loins with a girdle.

NASB 1977
“He loosens the bond of kings, And binds their loins with a girdle.

Legacy Standard Bible
He opens the bond of kings And binds their loins with a belt.

Amplified Bible
“He loosens the bond of kings And binds their loins with a loincloth.

Christian Standard Bible
He releases the bonds put on by kings and fastens a belt around their waists.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
He releases the bonds put on by kings and fastens a belt around their waists.

American Standard Version
He looseth the bond of kings, And he bindeth their loins with a girdle.

Contemporary English Version
and makes slaves of kings.

English Revised Version
He looseth the bond of kings, and bindeth their loins with a girdle.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He loosens kings' belts and strips them of their pants.

Good News Translation
He dethrones kings and makes them prisoners;

International Standard Version
He strips away the authority of kings to punish and puts them in prison clothes instead.

Majority Standard Bible
He loosens the bonds placed by kings and fastens a belt around their waists.

NET Bible
He loosens the bonds of kings and binds a loincloth around their waist.

New Heart English Bible
He loosens the bond of kings. He binds their waist with a belt.

Webster's Bible Translation
He looseth the bond of kings, and girdeth their loins with a girdle.

World English Bible
He loosens the bond of kings. He binds their waist with a belt.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
He has opened the bands of kings, "" And He binds a girdle on their loins.

Young's Literal Translation
The bands of kings He hath opened, And He bindeth a girdle on their loins.

Smith's Literal Translation
He loosed the bonds of kings, and he will gird upon their loins a girdle.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
He looseth the belt of kings, and girdeth their loins with a cord.

Catholic Public Domain Version
He removes the belt of kings and encircles their waist with a rope.

New American Bible
He loosens the belt of kings, ties a waistcloth on their loins.

New Revised Standard Version
He looses the sash of kings, and binds a waistcloth on their loins.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
He brings kings down to beg at the gates, and girds their loins with girdles of power.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
He brings down Kings to the gates and binds a belt on their waist
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
He looseth the bond of kings, And bindeth their loins with a girdle.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
He seats kings upon thrones, and girds their loins with a girdle.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Job Responds to Zophar
17He leads counselors away barefoot and makes fools of judges. 18He loosens the bonds placed by kings and fastens a belt around their waists. 19He leads priests away barefoot and overthrows the established.…

Cross References
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.

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

Isaiah 22:21-22
I will clothe him with your robe and tie your sash around him. I will put your authority in his hand, and he will be a father to the dwellers of Jerusalem and to the house of Judah. / I will place on his shoulder the key to the house of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.

Isaiah 45:1
This is what the LORD says to Cyrus His anointed, whose right hand I have grasped to subdue nations before him, to disarm kings, to open the doors before him, so that the gates will not be shut:

1 Samuel 2:7-8
The LORD sends poverty and wealth; He humbles and He exalts. / He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap. He seats them among princes and bestows on them a throne of honor. For the foundations of the earth are the LORD’s, and upon them He has set the world.

Proverbs 8:15-16
By me kings reign, and rulers enact just laws; / By me princes rule, and all nobles who govern justly.

Daniel 4:17
This decision is the decree of the watchers, the verdict declared by the holy ones, so that the living will know that the Most High rules over the kingdom of mankind and gives it to whom He wishes, setting over it the lowliest of men.’

Daniel 5:18-21
As for you, O king, the Most High God gave your father Nebuchadnezzar sovereignty and greatness, glory and honor. / Because of the greatness that He bestowed on him, the people of every nation and language trembled in fear before him. He killed whom he wished and kept alive whom he wished; he exalted whom he wished and humbled whom he wished. / But when his heart became arrogant and his spirit was hardened with pride, he was deposed from his royal throne, and his glory was taken from him. ...

Isaiah 3:1-3
For behold, the Lord GOD of Hosts is about to remove from Jerusalem and Judah both supply and support: the whole supply of food and water, / the mighty man and the warrior, the judge and the prophet, the soothsayer and the elder, / the commander of fifty and the dignitary, the counselor, the cunning magician, and the clever enchanter.

Ezekiel 21:26
This is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Remove the turban, and take off the crown. Things will not remain as they are: Exalt the lowly and bring low the exalted.

Luke 1:52
He has brought down rulers from their thrones, but has exalted the humble.

Romans 13:1-2
Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God. / Consequently, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.

1 Corinthians 1:27-28
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. / He chose the lowly and despised things of the world, and the things that are not, to nullify the things that are,

James 4:10
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.

1 Peter 5:5-6
Young men, in the same way, submit yourselves to your elders. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” / Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, so that in due time He may exalt you.


Treasury of Scripture

He looses the bond of kings, and girds their loins with a girdle.

2 Chronicles 33:11-14
Wherefore the LORD brought upon them the captains of the host of the king of Assyria, which took Manasseh among the thorns, and bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon…

Jeremiah 52:31-34
And it came to pass in the seven and thirtieth year of the captivity of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the twelfth month, in the five and twentieth day of the month, that Evilmerodach king of Babylon in the first year of his reign lifted up the head of Jehoiachin king of Judah, and brought him forth out of prison, …

Daniel 2:21
And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:

Jump to Previous
Band Bands Belt Bindeth Binds Bond Bonds Chains Fetter Girdeth Girdle Government Kings Loosens Opened Puts Shackles Ties Undoes Waist Waistcloth Weakeneth
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Band Bands Belt Bindeth Binds Bond Bonds Chains Fetter Girdeth Girdle Government Kings Loosens Opened Puts Shackles Ties Undoes Waist Waistcloth Weakeneth
Job 12
1. Job maintains himself against his friends that reprove him
7. He acknowledges the doctrine of God's omnipotence














He loosens the bonds placed by kings
This phrase highlights God's sovereignty over earthly rulers and their decrees. In the ancient Near East, kings were seen as the ultimate authority, often believed to be divinely appointed. However, this statement emphasizes that God has the power to override human authority. The imagery of "loosening bonds" suggests liberation and the breaking of constraints, which can be seen in biblical narratives such as the Israelites' exodus from Egypt (Exodus 12:31-32) and the release of Peter from prison (Acts 12:6-11). It underscores the theme that God can free individuals and nations from oppression, regardless of the power of earthly rulers.

and fastens a belt around their waists.
The act of fastening a belt signifies preparation and readiness, often associated with girding oneself for action or service. In biblical times, a belt was used to secure garments, allowing for freedom of movement and indicating a state of preparedness. This phrase can be seen as a metaphor for God equipping and empowering individuals for specific tasks or roles. It may also imply a shift in authority or responsibility, as seen in the anointing of new leaders or the rise of unexpected figures in biblical history, such as David's anointing as king (1 Samuel 16:13). The belt can symbolize strength and support, reflecting how God provides what is necessary for His purposes to be fulfilled.

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.

2. Kings
Represents earthly rulers and authorities who wield power and influence over nations and people.

3. God
The ultimate sovereign who has control over all creation, including the rise and fall of earthly powers.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty Over Earthly Powers
God has the ultimate authority over all rulers and kingdoms. No matter how powerful a king or leader may seem, God can loosen their control or strengthen it according to His divine will.

The Temporary Nature of Human Authority
Earthly power is transient and subject to God's will. This should remind us not to place our ultimate trust in human leaders but in God, who is eternal and unchanging.

Trust in God's Justice
Even when it seems that unjust rulers prosper, we can trust that God is just and will ultimately bring about His righteous purposes. Our role is to remain faithful and patient, trusting in His timing.

Humility in Leadership
For those in positions of authority, this verse serves as a reminder to lead with humility, recognizing that their power is granted by God and can be taken away by Him.

Encouragement in Times of Oppression
For those under oppressive rule, this verse offers hope that God can change circumstances and bring liberation, as He is the one who loosens bonds and fastens belts.(18) He looseth the bond of kings.--He looseth the confederacy of kings, by which they bind themselves together, and girdeth them to fight against each other. Some understand it of the girdle of servitude in contrast to the girdle of state.

Verse 18. - He looseth the bond of kings, and girdeth their loins with a girdle. This may either mean that God at his pleasure both looses kings from captivity, and also binds them with a cord and causes them to be carried away captive; or that he looses the authority which kings have over their subjects, and then lets them be carried away captive by their enemies. The latter is perhaps the more probable sense.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
He loosens
פִּתֵּ֑חַ (pit·tê·aḥ)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6605: To open wide, to loosen, begin, plough, carve

the bonds
מוּסַ֣ר (mū·sar)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4148: Chastisement, reproof, warning, instruction, restraint

placed by kings
מְלָכִ֣ים (mə·lā·ḵîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4428: A king

and fastens
וַיֶּאְסֹ֥ר (way·ye’·sōr)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 631: To yoke, hitch, to fasten, to join battle

a belt
אֵ֝ז֗וֹר (’ê·zō·wr)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 232: Something girt, a belt, a band

around their waists.
בְּמָתְנֵיהֶֽם׃ (bə·mā·ṯə·nê·hem)
Preposition-b | Noun - mdc | third person masculine plural
Strong's 4975: The waist, small of the back, the loins


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OT Poetry: Job 12:18 He loosens the bond of kings (Jb)
Job 12:17
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