Job 18:12 (KJV)

What does Job 18:12 mean?

Job 18:12 describes a person whose strength is failing due to hunger, with destruction always close at hand. The verse paints a picture of someone whose resources and vitality are depleted, leaving them vulnerable to ruin.

In this part of the book of Job, Bildad is speaking to Job, warning him about the fate of the wicked. Bildad claims that those who oppose God will find their strength (or prosperity) dried up by hunger and that disaster is always lurking nearby. The verse uses vivid language to show the total collapse and constant threat faced by such a person.

The Hebrew behind Job 18:12

• The word for "strength" (עֹנֹו, ʿono) often refers to a person's vigor or wealth. Here, it suggests that even what a person relies on most will be taken away.
• "Hungerbitten" (רָעֵב, raʿev) means afflicted by hunger or famished. This emphasizes not just a lack of food, but a deep, gnawing deprivation.
• "Destruction" (אֵיד, ʾed) points to calamity or ruin. The word carries the sense of a disaster that is not just possible but imminent.
• "Ready" (כּוּן, kun) means established or prepared. The verse stresses that destruction is not accidental—it is poised and waiting.
• "Side" (צֵלַע, tselaʿ) literally means "side" or "flank," suggesting that ruin is right next to the person, always within reach.

Why Job 18:12 matters

• Job 18:12 clarifies that Bildad sees suffering and disaster as the direct result of wickedness, not just random misfortune.
• The verse uses strong imagery to show how total and inescapable the downfall is for the person described, adding weight to Bildad’s warning.
• Understanding these details helps the reader see the sharp contrast between Bildad’s accusations and Job’s own experience, which is a key tension in the book.