Job 12:20 Meaning and Explanation
“He removeth away the speech of the trusty, and taketh away the understanding of the aged.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →God can silence the eloquent and take away the discernment of the elders.
What Does Job 12:20 Mean?
Job notes that God removes the speech of the trusted and takes away the understanding of the aged, the very elders his friends would cite as fonts of wisdom. The persuasive tongue and the seasoned judgment are gifts that can be withdrawn. What God gives, God can also take.
This returns to the chapter's theme: human wisdom is never self-owned. The respected voices fall silent and the wise lose their grip at God's word. Far from cynicism, this is a summons to humility and dependence. If our understanding is a loan, we should hold it gratefully and lightly, seeking always the Source rather than trusting the gift. God alone is the unfailing fountain of true wisdom and speech.
Frequently Asked Questions About Job 12:20
What does Job 12:20 mean?
God can silence the eloquent and take away the discernment of the elders.