Job 23:12
New International Version
I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread.

New Living Translation
I have not departed from his commands, but have treasured his words more than daily food.

English Standard Version
I have not departed from the commandment of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my portion of food.

Berean Standard Bible
I have not departed from the command of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my daily bread.

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

New King James Version
I have not departed from the commandment of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth More than my necessary food.

New American Standard Bible
“I have not failed the command of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.

NASB 1995
“I have not departed from the command of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.

NASB 1977
“I have not departed from the command of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.

Legacy Standard Bible
I have not departed from the command of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my portion of food.

Amplified Bible
“I have not departed from the commandment of His lips; I have kept the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.

Christian Standard Bible
I have not departed from the commands from his lips; I have treasured the words from his mouth more than my daily food.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
I have not departed from the commands of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my daily food.

American Standard Version
I have not gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have treasured up the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.

Contemporary English Version
and I have always treasured his teachings.

English Revised Version
I have not gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have treasured up the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
I have not left his commands behind. I have treasured his words in my heart.

Good News Translation
I always do what God commands; I follow his will, not my own desires.

International Standard Version
I haven't wandered away from the commands that he has spoken; I've treasured what he has said more than my own meals."

Majority Standard Bible
I have not departed from the command of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my daily bread.

NET Bible
I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my allotted portion.

New Heart English Bible
I haven't gone back from the commandment of his lips. I have treasured up the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.

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

World English Bible
I haven’t gone back from the commandment of his lips. I have treasured up the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
The command of His lips, and I do not depart. I have laid up above my allotted portion "" The sayings of His mouth.

Young's Literal Translation
The command of His lips, and I depart not. Above my allotted portion I have laid up The sayings of His mouth.

Smith's Literal Translation
From the command of his lips and I will not waver; from his law I hid the words of his mouth.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
I have not departed from the commandments of his lips, and the words of his mouth I have hid in my bosom.

Catholic Public Domain Version
I have not withdrawn from the commands of his lips, and the words of his mouth I have hidden in my sinews.

New American Bible
From the commands of his lips I have not departed; the words of his mouth I have treasured in my heart.

New Revised Standard Version
I have not departed from the commandment of his lips; I have treasured in my bosom the words of his mouth.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
I have not despised the commandments of his lips; neither have I departed from his will, and have kept the words of his mouth.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And I have not despised the commands of his lips, and I have not departed from his pleasure. I have kept the words of his mouth
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
I have not gone back from the commandment of His lips; I have treasured up the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
neither shall I transgress; but I have hid his words in my bosom.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Job Longs for God
11My feet have followed in His tracks; I have kept His way without turning aside. 12I have not departed from the command of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my daily bread. 13But He is unchangeable, and who can oppose Him? He does what He desires.…

Cross References
Psalm 119:11
I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You.

Psalm 119:103
How sweet are Your words to my taste—sweeter than honey in my mouth!

Psalm 19:10
They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb.

Jeremiah 15:16
Your words were found, and I ate them. Your words became my joy and my heart’s delight. For I bear Your name, O LORD God of Hosts.

Proverbs 2:1-5
My son, if you accept my words and hide my commandments within you, / if you incline your ear to wisdom and direct your heart to understanding, / if you truly call out to insight and lift your voice to understanding, ...

Deuteronomy 8:3
He humbled you, and in your hunger He gave you manna to eat, which neither you nor your fathers had known, so that you might understand that man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.

Matthew 4:4
But Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

John 6:63
The Spirit gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.

John 4:34
Jesus explained, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to finish His work.

Psalm 119:72
The law from Your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of gold and silver.

Psalm 119:127
Therefore I love Your commandments more than gold, even the purest gold.

Proverbs 3:13-18
Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who acquires understanding, / for she is more profitable than silver, and her gain is better than fine gold. / She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire compares with her. ...

Isaiah 55:2-3
Why spend money on that which is not bread, and your labor on that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of foods. / Incline your ear and come to Me; listen, so that your soul may live. I will make with you an everlasting covenant—My loving devotion promised to David.

Luke 10:39-42
She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to His message. / But Martha was distracted by all the preparations to be made. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her to help me!” / “Martha, Martha,” the Lord replied, “you are worried and upset about many things. ...

Colossians 3:16
Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.


Treasury of Scripture

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

Neither

John 6:66-69
From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him…

John 8:31
Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;

Acts 14:22
Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

I have esteemed.

Job 22:22
Receive, I pray thee, the law from his mouth, and lay up his words in thine heart.

Psalm 19:9,10
The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether…

Psalm 119:11,103,127
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee…

necessary food.

Luke 12:42,46
And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? …

Jump to Previous
Allotted Bosom Bread Command Commandment Commands Daily Depart Departed Esteemed Food Heart Lips Mouth Necessary Orders Portion Purpose Sayings Stored Treasured Words
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Allotted Bosom Bread Command Commandment Commands Daily Depart Departed Esteemed Food Heart Lips Mouth Necessary Orders Portion Purpose Sayings Stored Treasured Words
Job 23
1. Job longs to appear before God
6. in confidence of his mercy
8. God, who is invisible, observes our ways
11. Job's innocence
13. God's decree is immutable














I have not departed from the command of His lips;
This phrase reflects Job's steadfastness and commitment to God's commandments despite his suffering. In the context of the Book of Job, Job is responding to his friends who have accused him of wrongdoing. Job maintains his integrity, emphasizing his adherence to God's commands. This mirrors the biblical theme of obedience found in Deuteronomy 5:32, where the Israelites are instructed not to turn aside from God's commands. The phrase also highlights the importance of God's spoken word, which is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, as seen in Psalm 119:11, where the psalmist treasures God's word in his heart to avoid sin.

I have treasured the words of His mouth
Job's use of the word "treasured" indicates a deep reverence and value for God's words, akin to the way one might cherish a precious possession. This reflects the cultural and historical context of the ancient Near East, where oral tradition and spoken words were highly esteemed. The phrase can be connected to Proverbs 2:1-5, which speaks of seeking wisdom and understanding as one would search for hidden treasures. It also foreshadows the New Testament emphasis on the Word, as seen in John 1:1, where Jesus is described as the Word made flesh, underscoring the divine nature and authority of God's words.

more than my daily bread.
This comparison underscores the spiritual sustenance that God's words provide, surpassing even the physical necessity of food. In the historical context, bread was a staple of the ancient diet, essential for survival, making Job's statement all the more powerful. This echoes the sentiment found in Deuteronomy 8:3, where it is stated that man does not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. This idea is further reinforced by Jesus in Matthew 4:4 during His temptation in the wilderness, where He quotes this verse, highlighting the supremacy of spiritual nourishment over physical needs.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Job
A man described as blameless and upright, who feared God and shunned evil. He is the central figure in the Book of Job, known for his immense suffering and unwavering faith.

2. God
The Almighty Creator, whose sovereignty and wisdom are central themes in the Book of Job. Job's relationship with God is tested throughout the account.

3. Job's Friends
Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, who visit Job to offer counsel but often misinterpret his suffering as a result of sin.

4. The Land of Uz
The setting of the Book of Job, traditionally considered to be in the region of Edom or northern Arabia.

5. Satan
The adversary who challenges Job's integrity, suggesting that his faithfulness is due to his prosperity.
Teaching Points
Value of God's Word
Job's statement highlights the supreme value he places on God's words, suggesting that spiritual nourishment is more essential than physical sustenance. Believers are encouraged to prioritize Scripture in their daily lives.

Faithfulness in Trials
Despite his suffering, Job remains committed to God's commands. This teaches the importance of steadfastness and faithfulness, even when circumstances are challenging.

Spiritual Hunger
Just as physical hunger drives us to seek food, spiritual hunger should drive us to seek God's word. Cultivating a desire for Scripture can lead to deeper spiritual growth and understanding.

Obedience to God's Commands
Job's adherence to God's commands, despite his trials, underscores the importance of obedience. Believers are called to follow God's instructions, trusting in His wisdom and timing.

Treasuring God's Word
Job's treasuring of God's words serves as a model for believers to cherish and meditate on Scripture, allowing it to guide and transform their lives.(12) I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.--Comp. John 4:32-34. Or, I have treasured up the words, &c., according to the statute prescribed to me, or from my own law: i.e., "I made it a principle with myself to treasure up the words of His mouth." The LXX. and the Vulg. have a differing reading, and render in my bosom.

Verse 12. - Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips. Professor Lee rightly observes that this declaration "takes it for granted that, at least, some precepts of God had been revealed before this time" ('Book of Job,' p. 370). Them were "commandments" which Job recognized as having proceeded from God, and "words" which he looked upon as being the utterances of his mouth. This is strong evidence of a primeval revelation which, if not reduced to writing, had, at any rate, been handed down by tradition to Job's day. Genesis 3:14-19 and Genesis 9:1-7 may afford the true explanation of this difficulty. I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food. This is scarcely strong enough. Job says, "I have treasured up taken to myself, and preserved the words of his mouth," either "more than my necessary food" or "more than my own law." If the former rendering be preferred, there is no need of explanation; if the latter, we must regard "my own law" as meaning "the law of my own mind, my own will, the will of the natural man" (Cook).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
I have not
וְלֹ֣א (wə·lō)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

departed
אָמִ֑ישׁ (’ā·mîš)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 4185: To depart, remove

from the command
מִצְוַ֣ת (miṣ·waṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 4687: Commandment

of His lips;
שְׂ֭פָתָיו (p̄ā·ṯāw)
Noun - fdc | third person masculine singular
Strong's 8193: The lip, language, a margin

I have treasured
צָפַ֥נְתִּי (ṣā·p̄an·tî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 6845: To hide, to hoard, reserve, to deny, to protect, to lurk

the words
אִמְרֵי־ (’im·rê-)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 561: Something said

of His mouth
פִֽיו׃ (p̄îw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6310: The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to

more than my daily bread.
מֵ֝חֻקִּ֗י (mê·ḥuq·qî)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 2706: Something prescribed or owed, a statute


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OT Poetry: Job 23:12 I haven't gone back from the commandment (Jb)
Job 23:11
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