Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version He thwarts the plans of the crafty, so that their hands achieve no success. New Living Translation He frustrates the plans of schemers so the work of their hands will not succeed. English Standard Version He frustrates the devices of the crafty, so that their hands achieve no success. Berean Standard Bible He thwarts the schemes of the crafty, so that their hands find no success. King James Bible He disappointeth the devices of the crafty, so that their hands cannot perform their enterprise. New King James Version He frustrates the devices of the crafty, So that their hands cannot carry out their plans. New American Standard Bible “He frustrates the schemes of the shrewd, So that their hands cannot attain success. NASB 1995 “He frustrates the plotting of the shrewd, So that their hands cannot attain success. NASB 1977 “He frustrates the plotting of the shrewd, So that their hands cannot attain success. Legacy Standard Bible He frustrates the thoughts of the crafty, So that their hands cannot attain success of sound wisdom. Amplified Bible “He frustrates the devices and schemes of the crafty, So that their hands cannot attain success or achieve anything of [lasting] worth. Christian Standard Bible He frustrates the schemes of the crafty so that they achieve no success. Holman Christian Standard Bible He frustrates the schemes of the crafty so that they achieve no success. American Standard Version He frustrateth the devices of the crafty, So that their hands cannot perform their enterprise. Contemporary English Version God swiftly traps the wicked English Revised Version He frustrateth the devices of the crafty, so that their hands cannot perform their enterprise. GOD'S WORD® Translation He keeps shrewd people from carrying out their plans so that they cannot do anything successfully. International Standard Version He frustrates the plans of the crafty; so that what they work for never succeeds. NET Bible He frustrates the plans of the crafty so that their hands cannot accomplish what they had planned! New Heart English Bible He frustrates the devices of the crafty, so that their hands can't perform their enterprise. Webster's Bible Translation He disappointeth the devices of the crafty, so that their hands cannot perform their enterprise. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleHe thwarts the schemes of the crafty, so that their hands find no success. World English Bible He frustrates the plans of the crafty, so that their hands can’t perform their enterprise. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionMaking void thoughts of the cunning, "" And their hands do not execute wisdom. Young's Literal Translation Making void thoughts of the subtile, And their hands do not execute wisdom. Smith's Literal Translation Bringing to nought the purposes of the crafty, and their hand shall not do an undertaking. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleWho bringeth to nought the designs of the malignant, so that their hands cannot accomplish what they had begun: Catholic Public Domain Version He dispels the thoughts of the spiteful, lest their hands be able to complete what they had begun. New American Bible He frustrates the plans of the cunning, so that their hands achieve no success; New Revised Standard Version He frustrates the devices of the crafty, so that their hands achieve no success. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleHe frustrates the devices of the crafty, so that their hands cannot wisely perform their enterprise. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated He brings the ideas of the wise to nothing that their hands will not perform a scheme OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917He frustrateth the devices of the crafty, So that their hands can perform nothing substantial. Brenton Septuagint Translation frustrating the counsels of the crafty, and their hands shall not perform the truth: Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Eliphaz Continues: God Blesses those who Seek Him…11He sets the lowly on high, so that mourners are lifted to safety. 12He thwarts the schemes of the crafty, so that their hands find no success. 13He catches the wise in their craftiness, and sweeps away the plans of the cunning.… Cross References Psalm 33:10 The LORD frustrates the plans of the nations; He thwarts the devices of the peoples. Isaiah 8:10 Devise a plan, but it will be thwarted; state a proposal, but it will not happen. For God is with us.” Proverbs 21:30 There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel that can prevail against the LORD. 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 For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” Psalm 2:1-4 Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? / The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together, against the LORD and against His Anointed One: / “Let us break Their chains and cast away Their cords.” ... Isaiah 19:3 Then the spirit of the Egyptians will be emptied out from among them, and I will frustrate their plans, so that they will resort to idols and spirits of the dead, to mediums and spiritists. Proverbs 19:21 Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the purpose of the LORD will prevail. 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.” 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.” Psalm 146:4 When his spirit departs, he returns to the ground; on that very day his plans perish. 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? James 4:13-15 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business, and make a profit.” / You do not even know what will happen tomorrow! What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. / Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord is willing, we will live and do this or that.” Isaiah 30:1 “Woe to the rebellious children,” declares the LORD, “to those who carry out a plan that is not Mine, who form an alliance, but against My will, heaping up sin upon sin. Psalm 64:6-8 They devise injustice and say, “We have perfected a secret plan.” For the inner man and the heart are mysterious. / But God will shoot them with arrows; suddenly they will be wounded. / They will be made to stumble, their own tongues turned against them. All who see will shake their heads. Treasury of Scripture He disappoints the devices of the crafty, so that their hands cannot perform their enterprise. disappointeth. Job 12:16,17 With him is strength and wisdom: the deceived and the deceiver are his… Nehemiah 4:15 And it came to pass, when our enemies heard that it was known unto us, and God had brought their counsel to nought, that we returned all of us to the wall, every one unto his work. Psalm 33:10,11 The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect… their hands. Psalm 21:11 For they intended evil against thee: they imagined a mischievous device, which they are not able to perform. Isaiah 37:36 Then the angel of the LORD went forth, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians a hundred and fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses. Acts 12:11 And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews. their enterprise. Jump to Previous Achieve Attain Carry Crafty Designs Devices Effect Execute Frustrates Frustrateth Hands Makes Making Perform Plans Plotting Purposes Shrewd Substantial Subtile Success Thoughts Thwarts Unable Void Wisdom Wise WrongJump to Next Achieve Attain Carry Crafty Designs Devices Effect Execute Frustrates Frustrateth Hands Makes Making Perform Plans Plotting Purposes Shrewd Substantial Subtile Success Thoughts Thwarts Unable Void Wisdom Wise WrongJob 5 1. Eliphaz shows that the end of the wicked is misery;6. that man is born to trouble; 8. that God is to be regarded in affliction; 17. the happy end of God's correction. He thwarts the schemes of the crafty This phrase highlights God's sovereignty and justice. The term "thwarts" indicates divine intervention, suggesting that God actively opposes the plans of those who are deceitful or cunning. The "crafty" are often associated with those who use their intelligence for manipulation or deceit, reminiscent of the serpent in Genesis 3:1, who is described as "more crafty than any of the wild animals." This reflects a broader biblical theme where God opposes the proud and deceitful, as seen in Proverbs 6:16-19, which lists things the Lord hates, including a "heart that devises wicked schemes." so that their hands find no success Persons / Places / Events 1. Eliphaz the TemaniteOne of Job's three friends who comes to comfort him. Eliphaz is the speaker in this passage, offering his perspective on God's justice and the fate of the wicked. 2. Job A righteous man who undergoes severe trials and suffering. The book of Job explores his responses and the dialogues with his friends about the nature of God and suffering. 3. Teman A region in Edom, known for its wise men. Eliphaz, being a Temanite, is considered wise and knowledgeable. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty Over Human SchemesGod is ultimately in control, and human plans that oppose His will are destined to fail. This should encourage believers to align their plans with God's purposes. The Futility of Craftiness Against God Craftiness and deceit may seem successful temporarily, but God ensures that such schemes do not prosper in the long run. Believers should pursue integrity and righteousness. Trust in God's Justice Even when it seems like the wicked prosper, trust that God will bring justice in His timing. This trust can bring peace and patience in the face of injustice. Wisdom in Aligning with God's Will True wisdom is found in seeking God's guidance and aligning our actions with His will, rather than relying on our own cunning or understanding. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Job 5:12?2. How does Job 5:12 demonstrate God's power over human schemes and plans? 3. What does Job 5:12 teach about the futility of opposing God's will? 4. How can Job 5:12 encourage trust in God's sovereignty in our lives? 5. What other scriptures affirm God's ability to thwart human plans? 6. How can we apply the lesson of Job 5:12 in daily decision-making? 7. How does Job 5:12 reflect God's power over human plans and schemes? 8. What historical context influences the interpretation of Job 5:12? 9. How does Job 5:12 align with the theme of divine justice in the Bible? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Job 5? 11. What constitutes a spiritual attack? 12. What is Satan's identity? 13. Jeremiah 11:18–23: How do these threats on Jeremiah’s life align with the idea of divine protection for those who follow God’s will? 14. Job 1:12 - How can a benevolent God allow Satan to inflict suffering on a blameless man as part of a wager? What Does Job 5:12 Mean He thwartsGod actively steps in to block evil intentions. We see this pattern throughout Scripture: • “The LORD nullifies the counsel of the nations” (Psalm 33:10). • “Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the purpose of the LORD will prevail” (Proverbs 19:21). These passages underline that the Almighty is no passive observer; He intervenes, overruling what contradicts His righteousness. the schemes Schemes are calculated plans designed to secure an advantage, often at someone else’s expense. Scripture shows that while people can be clever, their plotting never catches God off guard. Compare with Psalm 2:1–4, where nations conspire but the Lord “sits in the heavens and laughs.” His foreknowledge and power render every deceitful blueprint ineffective. of the crafty “The crafty” are those who rely on manipulation instead of moral integrity—think of Haman in Esther 3–7 or the advisers against Daniel in Daniel 6. Job 12:16 affirms, “With Him are strength and sound wisdom; the deceived and the deceiver are His”. Even the most sophisticated strategists remain under God’s authority. so that This phrase shows purpose. God’s thwarting is not random; He restrains evil to protect His people, uphold justice, and display His glory. Romans 8:28 reminds us that “in all things God works for the good of those who love Him.” His deliberate actions steer history toward His redemptive ends. their hands “Hands” symbolize action and execution. A plot is merely an idea until hands put it into motion. When God intervenes, He stops the plan at the point of action—illustrated when the Red Sea closed over Pharaoh’s army (Exodus 14) or when Saul’s weapons could not touch David despite multiple attempts (1 Samuel 19–26). find no success The outcome is certain failure. Isaiah 54:17 rings true: “No weapon formed against you shall prosper.” God’s nullification may appear delayed, but it is inevitable. He might confuse communication (Genesis 11), turn plans upon the plotters (Esther 7:10), or simply render efforts fruitless (Psalm 146:4). summary Job 5:12 reassures us that God sovereignly disrupts wicked plotting. However intricate the plan or skilled the schemer, the Lord’s intervention empties their hands of power and denies them success. His people can rest in the certainty that righteousness, not cunning, ultimately prevails. (12) So that their hands cannot perform their enterprise.--Or, so that their hands can do-nothing that is sound or of worth, can accomplish nothing effectual.Verse 12. - He disappointeth the devices of the crafty; or, frustrateth - makes them of no effect (comp. Psalm 33:10; Isaiah 8:10). Some suppose Eliphaz to insinuate here that Job's apparent wisdom has not been true wisdom, but cunning or craft, and that therefore God has brought it to nought. But to us it rather seems that he enunciates a.general sentiment, and a true one. He is giving examples of the "marvellous things" which God does (ver. 9), and naturally enumerates among them his victories over the craft and cunning of his adversaries (comp. Isaiah 44:25). So that their hands cannot perform their enterprise; literally, and their hands accomplish nothing solid. No substantial result is effected by all their scheming.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew He thwartsמֵ֭פֵר (mê·p̄êr) Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 6565: To break up, to violate, frustrate the schemes מַחְשְׁב֣וֹת (maḥ·šə·ḇō·wṯ) Noun - feminine plural construct Strong's 4284: A contrivance, a texture, machine, intention, plan of the crafty, עֲרוּמִ֑ים (‘ă·rū·mîm) Adjective - masculine plural Strong's 6175: Crafty, shrewd, sensible so that their hands יְ֝דֵיהֶ֗ם (yə·ḏê·hem) Noun - fdc | third person masculine plural Strong's 3027: A hand find תַעֲשֶׂ֥ינָה (ṯa·‘ă·śe·nāh) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine plural Strong's 6213: To do, make no וְֽלֹא־ (wə·lō-) Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no success. תּוּשִׁיָּֽה׃ (tū·šî·yāh) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 8454: Support, ability, help, an undertaking, understanding Links Job 5:12 NIVJob 5:12 NLT Job 5:12 ESV Job 5:12 NASB Job 5:12 KJV Job 5:12 BibleApps.com Job 5:12 Biblia Paralela Job 5:12 Chinese Bible Job 5:12 French Bible Job 5:12 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Job 5:12 He frustrates the devices of the crafty (Jb) |