He makes nations great
In this phrase, Job acknowledges the sovereignty and omnipotence of God in the affairs of nations. The Hebrew word for "makes" is "gadal," which implies growth or magnification. This suggests that God is the ultimate source of a nation's prosperity and expansion. Historically, this reflects the biblical understanding that God is the one who raises nations to prominence, as seen in the accounts of Israel, Egypt, Babylon, and others. From a conservative Christian perspective, this underscores the belief that all political power and national success are under God's control and are part of His divine plan.

and destroys them
The Hebrew word for "destroys" is "abad," which means to perish or be lost. This part of the verse highlights the transient nature of earthly power and the ultimate authority of God to bring down nations. Throughout history, empires have risen and fallen, often seen as a result of divine judgment or the natural consequences of turning away from God's laws. This serves as a reminder of the biblical principle that pride and self-reliance can lead to a nation's downfall, emphasizing the need for humility and dependence on God.

He enlarges nations
The term "enlarges" comes from the Hebrew "rachab," meaning to broaden or make room. This suggests that God not only increases the size and influence of nations but also provides them with opportunities for growth and development. In the biblical context, this can be seen in the expansion of Israel under leaders like David and Solomon. For conservative Christians, this phrase reinforces the idea that God blesses nations that follow His commandments and seek His guidance.

and disperses them
The word "disperses" is translated from the Hebrew "naphats," which means to scatter or spread out. This reflects the biblical theme of God scattering people as a form of judgment, as seen in the Tower of Babel narrative. Historically, the dispersion of nations can be seen in events like the Babylonian exile. This serves as a cautionary tale for nations that stray from God's path, reminding believers of the importance of unity under God's sovereignty and the consequences of disobedience.

(23) He increaseth the nations, and destroyeth them.--The latter part of this chapter teaches us a truth that is apt to be forgotten in the present day, which is, nevertheless, the key to much of the history of the world Why is it that nations are marked with such characteristic differences? as, for instance, the Greeks, the Romans, and the Jews in ancient times; the French, the English, and the Germans in our own. Why is it that the counsel of the wisest sometimes faileth, as with Ahitophel--the bravery of the boldest sometimes forsaketh them? but because there is One working underneath it all for His own ends and to His own glory, as seemeth Him good. Zophar, with all his common sense, had scarcely risen to the perception of this truth, for while Job maintained that there was always a deeper depth, he was prepared, at all events, to imply that the dealings of God were intelligible, and approved themselves to the conceptions of human equity. Job, on the other hand, declared that they were inscrutable, and, consequently, from their very darkness, suggested the necessity for faith His teaching here may seem to savour of fatalism, but that is simply because he deals only with one side of the problem. Had he found occasion, he would have stated with equal force the correlative truth of the absolute responsibility of man, even though but as clay in the hands of the potter; for, in fact, were it not so, how then should God judge the world? Into the mazes of this problem Job enters not, being concerned with other questions and mysteries. Job s conception, therefore, of the righteous government of God as far transcended that of his friends as their estimate of his righteousness fell short of the truth. Justly, therefore, he exclaims, "I am not inferior unto you."

Verse 23. - He increaseth the nations, and destroyeth them. God's providence concerns itself, not only with the fate of individual men, bet also with that of nations. With Israel, his "peculiar people" (Deuteronomy 14:2), he especially concerned himself, but not with Israel only. Babylon, Assyria, Egypt, Elam, Edom, Ammon, Moab, were likewise objects of his attention, of his guidance, of his chastening hand, of his avenging rod. Particular nations were consigned by God to the charge of particular angels (Daniel 10:13, 20). At his pleasure he can "increase" nations by blessing them with extraordinary fecundity (Exodus 1:7-12), or "destroy" them by internal decay, by civil wars, or by the swords of their neighbours. He enlargeth the nations, and straiteneth them again; i.e. "enlarges their bounds, or diminishes them." In Western Asia, where Job lived, empires were continually starting up, growing and expanding, increasing to vast dimensions, and then after a while shrinking back again to their original narrow limits Egypt, Elam, Babylon, and the Hittite nation were eases in point.

Parallel Commentaries ...


He makes nations
לַ֭גּוֹיִם (lag·gō·w·yim)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1471: A foreign nation, a Gentile, a troop of animals, a flight of locusts

great,
מַשְׂגִּ֣יא (maś·gî)
Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 7679: To grow, to enlarge, laud

and destroys them;
וַֽיְאַבְּדֵ֑ם (way·’ab·bə·ḏêm)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine plural
Strong's 6: To wander away, lose oneself, to perish

He enlarges
שֹׁטֵ֥חַ (šō·ṭê·aḥ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 7849: To spread, spread abroad

nations,
לַ֝גּוֹיִ֗ם (lag·gō·w·yim)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1471: A foreign nation, a Gentile, a troop of animals, a flight of locusts

and sends them away.
וַיַּנְחֵֽם׃ (way·yan·ḥêm)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine plural
Strong's 5148: To guide, to transport


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OT Poetry: Job 12:23 He increases the nations and he destroys (Jb)