Job 12:24
New International Version
He deprives the leaders of the earth of their reason; he makes them wander in a trackless waste.

New Living Translation
He strips kings of understanding and leaves them wandering in a pathless wasteland.

English Standard Version
He takes away understanding from the chiefs of the people of the earth and makes them wander in a trackless waste.

Berean Standard Bible
He deprives the earth’s leaders of reason and makes them wander in a trackless wasteland.

King James Bible
He taketh away the heart of the chief of the people of the earth, and causeth them to wander in a wilderness where there is no way.

New King James Version
He takes away the understanding of the chiefs of the people of the earth, And makes them wander in a pathless wilderness.

New American Standard Bible
“He deprives the leaders of the earth’s people of intelligence And makes them wander in a pathless wasteland.

NASB 1995
“He deprives of intelligence the chiefs of the earth’s people And makes them wander in a pathless waste.

NASB 1977
“He deprives of intelligence the chiefs of the earth’s people, And makes them wander in a pathless waste.

Legacy Standard Bible
He removes the heart of wisdom from the heads of the earth’s people And makes them wander in a pathless waste.

Amplified Bible
“He removes intelligence and understanding from the leaders of the people of the earth And makes them wander and move blindly in a pathless waste.

Christian Standard Bible
He deprives the world’s leaders of reason, and makes them wander in a trackless wasteland.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
He deprives the world’s leaders of reason, and makes them wander in a trackless wasteland.

American Standard Version
He taketh away understanding from the chiefs of the people of the earth, And causeth them to wander in a wilderness where there is no way.

Contemporary English Version
God strikes their rulers senseless, then leaves them to roam through barren deserts,

English Revised Version
He taketh away the heart of the chiefs of the people of the earth, and causeth them to wander in a wilderness where there is no way.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He takes away the common sense of a country's leaders and makes them stumble about in a pathless wilderness.

Good News Translation
He makes their leaders foolish and lets them wander confused and lost;

International Standard Version
He withdraws understanding from national leaders of the world, causing them to wander through uncharted wilderness.

Majority Standard Bible
He deprives the earth’s leaders of reason and makes them wander in a trackless wasteland.

NET Bible
He deprives the leaders of the earth of their understanding; he makes them wander in a trackless desert waste.

New Heart English Bible
He takes away understanding from the chiefs of the people of the earth, and causes them to wander in a wilderness where there is no way.

Webster's Bible Translation
He taketh away the heart of the chief of the people of the earth, and causeth them to wander in a wilderness where there is no way.

World English Bible
He takes away understanding from the chiefs of the people of the earth, and causes them to wander in a wilderness where there is no way.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Turning aside the heart "" Of the heads of the people of the land, "" And He causes them to wander "" In vacancy—no way!

Young's Literal Translation
Turning aside the heart Of the heads of the people of the land, And he causeth them to wander In vacancy -- no way!

Smith's Literal Translation
Taking away the heart of the heads of the people of the earth, and he will cause them to wander in a waste, not a way.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
He changeth the heart of the princes of the people of the earth, and deceiveth them that they walk in vain where there is no way.

Catholic Public Domain Version
He transforms the heart of the leaders of the people on earth, and misleads those who in vain advance upon the inviolable.

New American Bible
He takes understanding from the leaders of the land, makes them wander in a pathless desert.

New Revised Standard Version
He strips understanding from the leaders of the earth, and makes them wander in a pathless waste.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
He takes away the understanding of the chiefs of the people of the earth, and causes them to wander in a waste land where there is no way.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
He intoxicates the heart of the Leaders of the people of the Earth and causes them to wander in a trackless waste without a road
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
He taketh away the heart of the chiefs of the people of the land, And causeth them to wander in a wilderness where there is no way.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Perplexing the minds of the princes of the earth: and he causes them to wander in a way, they have not known, saying,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Job Responds to Zophar
23He makes nations great and destroys them; He enlarges nations, then disperses them. 24He deprives the earth’s leaders of reason and makes them wander in a trackless wasteland. 25They grope in the darkness without light; He makes them stagger like drunkards.…

Cross References
Psalm 107:40
He pours out contempt on the nobles and makes them wander in a trackless wasteland.

Isaiah 19:14
The LORD has poured into her a spirit of confusion. Egypt has been led astray in all she does, as a drunkard staggers through his own vomit.

Isaiah 29:14
Therefore I will again confound these people with wonder upon wonder. The wisdom of the wise will vanish, and the intelligence of the intelligent will be hidden.”

Jeremiah 50:6
My people are lost sheep; their shepherds have led them astray, causing them to roam the mountains. They have wandered from mountain to hill; they have forgotten their resting place.

Daniel 4:35
All the peoples of the earth are counted as nothing, and He does as He pleases with the army of heaven and the peoples of the earth. There is no one who can restrain His hand or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’”

1 Corinthians 1:19
For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”

Romans 1:21-22
For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts. / Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools,

Isaiah 44:25
who foils the signs of false prophets and makes fools of diviners, who confounds the wise and turns their knowledge into nonsense,

Matthew 11:25
At that time Jesus declared, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.

1 Corinthians 3:19-20
For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness.” / And again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.”

Isaiah 63:17
Why, O LORD, do You make us stray from Your ways and harden our hearts from fearing You? Return, for the sake of Your servants, the tribes of Your heritage.

Ezekiel 20:26
And I pronounced them unclean through their gifts—the sacrifice of every firstborn in the fire—so that I might devastate them, in order that they would know that I am the LORD.

2 Thessalonians 2:11
For this reason God will send them a powerful delusion so that they believe the lie,

Romans 11:8
as it is written: “God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that could not see, and ears that could not hear, to this very day.”

2 Timothy 3:13
while evil men and imposters go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.


Treasury of Scripture

He takes away the heart of the chief of the people of the earth, and causes them to wander in a wilderness where there is no way.

He taketh

Job 12:20
He removeth away the speech of the trusty, and taketh away the understanding of the aged.

Job 17:4
For thou hast hid their heart from understanding: therefore shalt thou not exalt them.

Isaiah 6:9,10
And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not…

and causeth

Psalm 107:4,40
They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in…

Genesis 1:2
And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

Jump to Previous
Causes Causeth Chief Chiefs Deprives Earth Earth's Heart Intelligence Leaders Makes Pathless Reason Rulers Sends Trackless Turning Understanding Vacancy Wander Wandering Waste Way Wilderness Wisdom
Jump to Next
Causes Causeth Chief Chiefs Deprives Earth Earth's Heart Intelligence Leaders Makes Pathless Reason Rulers Sends Trackless Turning Understanding Vacancy Wander Wandering Waste Way Wilderness Wisdom
Job 12
1. Job maintains himself against his friends that reprove him
7. He acknowledges the doctrine of God's omnipotence














He deprives
In this phrase, the focus is on God's sovereignty and His active role in the affairs of humanity. The Hebrew root word here is "נָשַׁל" (nashal), which conveys the idea of removing or taking away. This highlights the belief that God has the authority to give and take away wisdom and understanding according to His divine will. In the broader context of Job, this underscores the theme that human wisdom is limited and ultimately subject to God's greater plan.

the leaders
The term "leaders" refers to those in positions of authority and influence. In the Hebrew text, the word used is "רֹאשׁ" (rosh), which can mean head or chief. This suggests that even those who are considered wise and powerful are not beyond God's reach. Historically, leaders were often seen as the embodiment of wisdom and guidance for their people, yet this verse reminds us that their understanding is not infallible and can be altered by God.

of the earth
This phrase emphasizes the universality of God's power. The Hebrew word "אֶרֶץ" (eretz) can mean land, earth, or world, indicating that God's influence extends over all creation. It serves as a reminder that no part of the world is outside of God's jurisdiction, reinforcing the idea that His wisdom surpasses all human understanding and governance.

of their reason
The word "reason" here is derived from the Hebrew "טַעַם" (ta'am), which can mean taste, judgment, or discretion. This suggests that God can affect the very faculties that leaders rely on to make decisions. In the context of Job, this is a powerful reminder that human reasoning, no matter how advanced, is ultimately subject to God's will and can be confounded by Him.

and makes them wander
The phrase "makes them wander" uses the Hebrew root "תָּעָה" (ta'ah), which means to err, go astray, or wander. This conveys the idea of being lost or confused, lacking direction. It is a vivid depiction of how God can lead even the most esteemed leaders into a state of confusion, illustrating the limits of human wisdom when it is not aligned with divine guidance.

in a trackless wasteland
The imagery of a "trackless wasteland" is powerful, evoking a sense of desolation and lack of direction. The Hebrew "תֹּהוּ" (tohu) is used here, which can mean formlessness or emptiness. This term is also found in Genesis 1:2, describing the earth before creation, symbolizing chaos and void. In the context of Job, it serves as a metaphor for the spiritual and intellectual barrenness that can result when human wisdom is disconnected from God. It is a call to humility, recognizing that without God's guidance, even the wisest can find themselves lost in a void.

Verse 24. - He taketh away the heart of the chief of the people of the earth; rather. the chiefs of the people or "the popular chief talus" (Lee). He deprives these "chiefs" of their wisdom or courage, or both, and thus brings down the nations under their governance. And causeth them to wander in a wilderness where there is no way; rather, in a chaos - one of the words used in Genesis 1:2 to describe the condition of the material universe before God had ordered and arranged it. The chieftains, deprived of their "heart," are so confused and perplexed that they do not know what to do, or which way to turn.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
He deprives
מֵסִ֗יר (mê·sîr)
Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5493: To turn aside

the earth's
הָאָ֑רֶץ (hā·’ā·reṣ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

leaders
רָאשֵׁ֣י (rā·šê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 7218: The head

of reason,
לֵ֭ב (lêḇ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3820: The heart, the feelings, the will, the intellect, centre

and makes them wander
וַ֝יַּתְעֵ֗ם (way·yaṯ·‘êm)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine plural
Strong's 8582: To vacillate, reel, stray

a trackless
לֹא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

wasteland.
בְּתֹ֣הוּ (bə·ṯō·hū)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 8414: A desolation, desert, a worthless thing, in vain


Links
Job 12:24 NIV
Job 12:24 NLT
Job 12:24 ESV
Job 12:24 NASB
Job 12:24 KJV

Job 12:24 BibleApps.com
Job 12:24 Biblia Paralela
Job 12:24 Chinese Bible
Job 12:24 French Bible
Job 12:24 Catholic Bible

OT Poetry: Job 12:24 He takes away understanding from the chiefs (Jb)
Job 12:23
Top of Page
Top of Page