Job 12:12
Wisdom is with the aged, and understanding in length of days.
English Standard Version (ESV)
All verses
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
Job 12:12
Wisdom is with the aged, and understanding in length of days.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
Job isn't just agreeing that older people tend to be wise; he's subtly pointing out that this human wisdom, while valuable, is still limited. He uses this common adage about age and understanding to contrast it with God's infinitely greater wisdom, which is the true source of all knowledge.
Job is responding to his friends, particularly Bildad, who has insisted that true wisdom comes from the past and that Job should consult the "ancients" to understand his plight. Job acknowledges this common saying—that wisdom and understanding are typically found in the elderly due to their accumulated experience—but he subtly implies this human wisdom is limited and not the ultimate standard. He's about to pivot to God's infinite wisdom, suggesting that while age brings knowledge, divine wisdom is far beyond comparison.
It's often said that age brings wisdom. But what does the Bible mean when it links wisdom specifically to 'the ancient' and 'length of days'?
This verse reflects a common, ancient proverb: Wisdom comes with age and experience.
Job agrees that the aged often have wisdom, but he's about to pivot. What's the crucial distinction he makes?
While Job acknowledges the value of experience and age, he doesn't let it become the final word. He uses this proverb to set up a contrast with God's perfect and infinite wisdom.
Understand the original words
chokmah · Hebrew Noun
Broadly, the ability to discern, perceive, and act according to God’s perspective. It involves both intellectual knowledge and practical, godly living rooted in the fear of the Lord.
binah · Hebrew Noun
The insight, discernment, or intelligence required to comprehend complex matters or spiritual realities; the ability to "see" into the nature of things.
This passage directly echoes the sentiment that gray hair is a crown of honor, pointing to wisdom and respect earned through a long life, much like Job's statement.
Ecclesiastes 4:13This verse contrasts the wisdom of age with the potential for foolishness, highlighting that while age often brings wisdom, it's not an absolute guarantee, which aligns with Job's nuanced acknowledgment.
Job 15:10This verse shows Eliphaz directly referencing Job's own words to accuse him, demonstrating how the idea of age and wisdom was a common trope in their discussions.
Deuteronomy 32:7This verse encourages remembering past generations and their teachings, suggesting that the wisdom of the 'ancients' is a valuable resource for understanding God's work.
bensonJob 12:12: "With the ancient is wisdom; and in length of days understanding."
Job 12:12 . With the ancient is wisdom — These words contain a concession of what Bildad had said ( Job 8:8-9 ,) and a joining with him in that appeal; but withal, an intimation that this wisdom was but imperfect, and liable to many mistakes; and indeed mere ignorance and folly, if compared with the divine wisdom, of which he speaks in the following verses. And therefore that antiquity ought not to be received against…
clarkeJob 12:12: "With the ancient is wisdom; and in length of days understanding."
With the ancient is wisdom - Men who have lived in those primitive times, when the great facts of nature were recent, such as the creation, fall, flood, confusion of tongues, migration of families, and consequent settlement of nations, had much knowledge from those facts; and their length of days - the many hundreds of years to which they lived, gave them such an opportunity of accumulating wisdom by experience, that…
Job isn't just agreeing that older people tend to be wise; he's subtly pointing out that this human wisdom, while valuable, is still limited. He uses this common adage about age and understanding to contrast it with God's infinitely greater wisdom, which is the true source of all knowledge.
Job is responding to his friends, particularly Bildad, who has insisted that true wisdom comes from the past and that Job should consult the "ancients" to understand his plight. Job acknowledges this common saying—that wisdom and understanding are typically found in the elderly due to their accumulated experience—but he subtly implies this human wisdom is limited and not the ultimate standard. He's about to pivot to God's infinite wisdom, suggesting that while age brings knowledge, divine wisdom is far beyond comparison.
Job is responding to his friends, particularly Bildad, who has insisted that true wisdom comes from the past and that Job should consult the "ancients" to understand his plight. Job acknowledges this common saying—that wisdom and understanding are typically found in the elderly due to their accumulated experience—but he subtly implies this human wisdom is limited and not the ultimate standard. He's about to pivot to God's infinite wisdom, suggesting that while age brings knowledge, divine wisdom is far beyond comparison.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Job 12:12 is available in the Sola app.
"Wisdom is with the aged, and understanding in length of days." — Job isn't just agreeing that older people tend to be wise; he's subtly pointing out that this human wisdom, while valuable, is still limited. He uses this common adage about age and understanding to…