He poureth contempt upon princes, and weakeneth the strength of the mighty.

JOB 12:21KJV
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Job 12:21 (KJV)

What does Job 12:21 mean?

Job 12:21 says that God can bring down those in power by pouring scorn on rulers and making strong people lose their influence. The verse highlights how easily God can humble even the most respected or powerful individuals.

In this part of the book of Job, Job is speaking to his friends, explaining that wisdom and power belong to God alone. Job points out that God is in control over all people, even princes and the mighty, and can reduce their status or strength whenever He chooses. This is part of Job’s larger argument that human greatness is fragile before God’s authority.

The Hebrew behind Job 12:21

  • "poureth" (שָׁפַךְ, shafakh): This word often means to "spill" or "pour out," and here it gives the sense of God actively and deliberately showing contempt, not just allowing it to happen.
  • "contempt" (בּוּז, buz): This word means scorn or disdain. The verse emphasizes that God can make even the highest people objects of ridicule.
  • "princes" (נָדִיב, nadiv): This word refers to noblemen or leaders, showing that even those with high status are not immune to being humbled.
  • "weakeneth" (רָפָה, raphah): This word means to make slack or feeble, highlighting that God can sap the strength or resolve of the powerful.
  • "strength" (מָתוֹק, matoq): Here, it refers to power or authority, not just physical strength.
  • "mighty" (אָתוּם, atum): This word points to those who are strong or influential, underlining that God’s power extends over all human might.

Why Job 12:21 matters

  • Job 12:21 clears up the idea that power and respect are permanent or earned solely by human effort; it shows that God can reverse fortunes at any time.
  • The verse emphasizes Job’s main point that God’s wisdom and authority are far above human understanding, challenging his friends’ assumptions about how God works in the world.
  • In the wider context, Job 12:21 helps set up Job’s argument that suffering or loss of status is not always a sign of personal failure, but can be part of God’s mysterious rule over all people.

Where else these words appear

“strength” Hebrew H4206 · used in 3 verses

  • Psalms 109:19 Let it be unto him as the garment which covereth him, and for a girdle wherewith he is girded continually.
  • Isaiah 23:10 Pass through thy land as a river, O daughter of Tarshish: there is no more strength.

“contempt” Hebrew H937 · used in 11 verses

  • Genesis 38:23 And Judah said, Let her take it to her, lest we be shamed: behold, I sent this kid, and thou hast not found her.
  • Psalms 31:18 Let the lying lips be put to silence; which speak grievous things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous.
  • Psalms 123:3 Have mercy upon us, O LORD, have mercy upon us: for we are exceedingly filled with contempt.

“mighty” Hebrew H650 · used in 19 verses

  • 2 Samuel 22:16 And the channels of the sea appeared, the foundations of the world were discovered, at the rebuking of the LORD, at the blast of the breath of his nostrils.
  • Psalms 126:4 Turn again our captivity, O LORD, as the streams in the south.
  • Ezekiel 34:13 And I will bring them out from the people, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land, and feed them upon the mountains of Israel by the rivers, and in all the inhabited places of the country.

“princes” Hebrew H5081 · used in 25 verses

  • Exodus 35:5 Take ye from among you an offering unto the LORD: whosoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it, an offering of the LORD; gold, and silver, and brass,
  • Psalms 47:9 The princes of the people are gathered together, even the people of the God of Abraham: for the shields of the earth belong unto God: he is greatly exalted.
  • Proverbs 17:7 Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.