With him are strength and sound wisdom; the deceived and the deceiver are his.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse points out that even those who err and those who cause others to err are ultimately under God's sovereign hand, implying that His wisdom and power encompass all human actions, not just the righteous. It highlights that God's control extends to the very mechanisms of deception, not as the author of sin, but as the one who directs and limits its scope to fulfill His purposes.
With him are strength and sound wisdom; the deceived and the deceiver are his.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Job is in the midst of a lengthy defense, explaining to his friends that God's ways are far beyond human understanding and that true wisdom belongs to Him alone. He's been laying out the immense power and inscrutable wisdom of God, even in the seemingly chaotic aspects of creation and human affairs, setting the stage to question his friends' simplistic judgments. This verse emphasizes that all individuals, whether they are being misled or are the ones doing the misleading, ultimately fall under God's sovereign control and wisdom.
Ever wondered how good can truly exist when there's so much deception and evil in the world? Job grapples with this, and the answer might surprise you.
Job boldly declares that both the one who deceives and the one who is deceived belong to God. This isn't to say God causes sin or error, but that He has ultimate authority and control over all things, including the actions of deceivers and the susceptibility of the deceived.
God's Sovereign Hand
Job speaks of God's 'strength' and 'wisdom.' What does this mean for us when facing life's toughest challenges and deepest mysteries?
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The verse opens by affirming that with God resides 'strength and sound wisdom.' This isn't just a description of His attributes; it's a foundational truth for understanding His interaction with the world, especially concerning deception.
The Source of All Power and Insight
Understand the original words
oz · Hebrew Noun
The fundamental power, might, or ability to accomplish tasks, often referring to God's inherent sovereign capability. In Scripture, it highlights that God possesses all power and that no power exists apart from Him.
tushiyyah · Hebrew Noun
Wisdom that is practical, effective, and characterized by success; it implies the ability to discern and execute godly plans. In the Old Testament, it refers to the capacity to perceive the truth and act rightly in accordance with God's will.
shogeh · Hebrew Noun/Participle
Individuals who are led astray or caused to wander from the truth, often through falsehood or temptation. Theologically, it describes those who have lost their way spiritually or intellectually due to deception.
math'eh · Hebrew Noun/Participle
One who leads others astray through deceit, lying, or craftiness. In Scripture, this term characterizes those who act in opposition to truth and righteousness, often as agents of falsehood.
This passage describes God 'mingling a spirit of confusion' in Egypt, showing His active, though mysterious, role in the downfall and deception of nations.
1 Kings 22:20-23Here, a lying spirit is described as coming before the Lord to deceive Ahab's prophets, illustrating how even falsehood operates under God's ultimate authority and for His purposes.
Matthew 24:24Jesus warns about false christs and false prophets performing signs and wonders to deceive, even the elect, highlighting the reality of deception within God's overarching plan and His protective sovereignty.
Romans 1:28This verse speaks of God giving people over to a 'depraved mind' when they reject Him, showing how He can justly allow those who disregard truth to be further deluded.
2 Thessalonians 2:10-12Paul explains that God sends 'a powerful delusion' upon those who do not love the truth, reinforcing the idea that deception can be a form of divine judgment.
bensonJob 12:16: "With him is strength and wisdom: the deceived and the deceiver are his."
Job 12:16 . With him is strength, &c. — He doth the things mentioned in the foregoing and following verses so powerfully, that no creature can resist him and hinder his operations; and so wisely, that none can prevent him or frustrate his counsels. He had said the same thing before, ( Job 12:13 ,) but he repeats it here to prepare the way for the following events, which are eminent instances both of his power a…
pooleJob 12:16: "With him is strength and wisdom: the deceived and the deceiver are his."
He doth the things here mentioned in the foregoing and succeeding verses, and that both powerfully, so as no creature can resist and hinder him, and wisely, so as none can prevent and overreach him. The same thing he had said before, Job 12:13 , but he repeats it here to prepare the way for the following events, which are eminent instances both of his power and wisdom. Are his, i.e. from or by him, and wholly s…
The verse points out that even those who err and those who cause others to err are ultimately under God's sovereign hand, implying that His wisdom and power encompass all human actions, not just the righteous. It highlights that God's control extends to the very mechanisms of deception, not as the author of sin, but as the one who directs and limits its scope to fulfill His purposes.
Job is in the midst of a lengthy defense, explaining to his friends that God's ways are far beyond human understanding and that true wisdom belongs to Him alone. He's been laying out the immense power and inscrutable wisdom of God, even in the seemingly chaotic aspects of creation and human affairs, setting the stage to question his friends' simplistic judgments. This verse emphasizes that all individuals, whether they are being misled or are the ones doing the misleading, ultimately fall under God's sovereign control and wisdom.
Job is in the midst of a lengthy defense, explaining to his friends that God's ways are far beyond human understanding and that true wisdom belongs to Him alone. He's been laying out the immense power and inscrutable wisdom of God, even in the seemingly chaotic aspects of creation and human affairs, setting the stage to question his friends' simplistic judgments. This verse emphasizes that all individuals, whether they are being misled or are the ones doing the misleading, ultimately fall under God's sovereign control and wisdom.
"With him are strength and sound wisdom; the deceived and the deceiver are his." — The verse points out that even those who err and those who cause others to err are ultimately under God's sovereign hand, implying that His wisdom and power encompass all human actions, not just th…
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Last reviewed October 2026