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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Job 12:8 Or speak to the earth, and it will teach you; let the fish of the sea inform you.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/job/12-8.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/17/18_Job_12_08.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Job 12:8 - Job Responds to Zophar" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Or speak to the earth, and it will teach you; let the fish of the sea inform you." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-LR4HSKRP2H"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-LR4HSKRP2H'); </script><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/job/12-8.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/job/12-8.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/job/">Job</a> > <a href="/job/12.htm">Chapter 12</a> > Verse 8</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad8.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/job/12-7.htm" title="Job 12:7">◄</a> Job 12:8 <a href="/job/12-9.htm" title="Job 12:9">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/job/12.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/job/12.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/job/12.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Speak to the earth, and it will instruct you. Let the fish in the sea speak to you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/job/12.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />or the bushes of the earth, and they will teach you; and the fish of the sea will declare to you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/job/12.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Or speak to the earth, and it will teach you; let the fish of the sea inform you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/job/12.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee: and the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/job/12.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Or speak to the earth, and it will teach you; And the fish of the sea will explain to you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/job/12.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Or speak to the earth, and have it teach you; And have the fish of the sea tell you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/job/12.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Or speak to the earth, and let it teach you; And let the fish of the sea declare to you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/job/12.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Or speak to the earth, and let it teach you; And let the fish of the sea declare to you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/job/12.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Or muse to the earth, and let it instruct you; And let the fish of the sea recount <i>it</i> to you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/job/12.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Or speak to the earth [with its many forms of life], and it will teach you; And let the fish of the sea declare [this truth] to you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/job/12.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Or speak to the earth, and it will instruct you; let the fish of the sea inform you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/job/12.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Or speak to the earth, and it will instruct you; let the fish of the sea inform you. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/job/12.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee; And the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/job/12.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />the flowers and the fish. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/job/12.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee; and the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/job/12.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Or speak with the earth, and it will teach you. Even the fish will relate [the story] to you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/job/12.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />ask the creatures of earth and sea for their wisdom. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/job/12.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Or ask the green plants of the earth and they'll teach you; let the fish in the sea tell you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/job/12.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Or speak to the earth and it will teach you, or let the fish of the sea declare to you. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/job/12.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach you. The fish of the sea shall declare to you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/job/12.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee: and the fishes of the sea shall declare to thee.<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/job/12.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Or speak to the earth, and it will teach you; let the fish of the sea inform you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/job/12.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Or speak to the earth, and it will teach you. The fish of the sea will declare to you. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/job/12.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Or talk to the earth, and it shows you, "" And fishes of the sea recount to you:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/job/12.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Or talk to the earth, and it sheweth thee, And fishes of the sea recount to thee:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/job/12.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Or speak to the earth and it shall teach thee; and the fishes of the sea shall recount to thee.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/job/12.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Speak to the earth, and it shall answer thee: and the fishes of the sea shall tell. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/job/12.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Speak with the earth, and it will respond to you, and the fish of the sea will explain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/job/12.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Or speak to the earth to instruct you, and the fish of the sea to inform you. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/job/12.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />ask the plants of the earth, and they will teach you; and the fish of the sea will declare to you.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/job/12.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach you; and the fishes of the sea shall declare to you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/job/12.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Or tell the earth and it will teach you and the fish of the sea will tell you<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/job/12.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee; And the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/job/12.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Tell the earth, if it may speak to thee: and the fishes of the sea shall explain to thee.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/job/12-8.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XAwuD5NuZq0?start=1810" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/job/12.htm">Job Responds to Zophar</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">7</span>But ask the animals, and they will instruct you; ask the birds of the air, and they will tell you. <span class="reftext">8</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/176.htm" title="176: ’ōw (Conj) -- Or. Presumed to be the constructive or genitival form of -av; short for 'avvah; desire; hence or, also if.">Or</a> <a href="/hebrew/7878.htm" title="7878: śî·aḥ (V-Qal-Imp-ms) -- To muse, complain, talk (of). A primitive root; to ponder, i.e. converse or utter.">speak</a> <a href="/hebrew/776.htm" title="776: lā·’ā·reṣ (Prep-l, Art:: N-fs) -- Earth, land. From an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth.">to the earth,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3384.htm" title="3384: wə·ṯō·re·kā (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConjImperf-3fs:: 2mse) -- Or yara; a primitive root; properly, to flow as water; transitively, to lay or throw; figuratively, to point out, to teach.">and it will teach you;</a> <a href="/hebrew/1709.htm" title="1709: də·ḡê (N-mpc) -- A fish. Or dag; from dagah; a fish; or perhaps rather from da'ag; but still better from da'ag; a fish.">let the fish</a> <a href="/hebrew/3220.htm" title="3220: hay·yām (Art:: N-ms) -- A sea or large body of water; specifically, the Mediterranean Sea; sometimes a large river.">of the sea</a> <a href="/hebrew/5608.htm" title="5608: wî·sap·pə·rū (Conj-w:: V-Piel-ConjImperf-3mp) -- To count, recount, relate. ">inform</a> <a href="/hebrew/lə·ḵā (Prep:: 2ms) -- ">you.</a> </span><span class="reftext">9</span>Which of all these does not know that the hand of the LORD has done this?…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/1-20.htm">Romans 1:20</a></span><br />For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/19-1.htm">Psalm 19:1-4</a></span><br />For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. / Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. / Without speech or language, without a sound to be heard, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/6-6.htm">Proverbs 6:6-8</a></span><br />Walk in the manner of the ant, O slacker; observe its ways and become wise. / Without a commander, without an overseer or ruler, / it prepares its provisions in summer; it gathers its food at harvest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/40-26.htm">Isaiah 40:26</a></span><br />Lift up your eyes on high: Who created all these? He leads forth the starry host by number; He calls each one by name. Because of His great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/6-26.htm">Matthew 6:26-30</a></span><br />Look at the birds of the air: They do not sow or reap or gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? / Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? / And why do you worry about clothes? Consider how the lilies of the field grow: They do not labor or spin. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/104-24.htm">Psalm 104:24-25</a></span><br />How many are Your works, O LORD! In wisdom You have made them all; the earth is full of Your creatures. / Here is the sea, vast and wide, teeming with creatures beyond number, living things both great and small.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/1-20.htm">Genesis 1:20-25</a></span><br />And God said, “Let the waters teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth in the open expanse of the sky.” / So God created the great sea creatures and every living thing that moves, with which the waters teemed according to their kinds, and every winged bird after its kind. And God saw that it was good. / Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters of the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/12-24.htm">Luke 12:24-28</a></span><br />Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storehouse or barn; yet God feeds them. How much more valuable you are than the birds! / Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? / So if you cannot do such a small thing, why do you worry about the rest? ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/148-7.htm">Psalm 148:7-10</a></span><br />Praise the LORD from the earth, all great sea creatures and ocean depths, / lightning and hail, snow and clouds, powerful wind fulfilling His word, / mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/14-17.htm">Acts 14:17</a></span><br />Yet He has not left Himself without testimony to His goodness: He gives you rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling your hearts with food and gladness.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/43-20.htm">Isaiah 43:20</a></span><br />The beasts of the field will honor Me, the jackals and the ostriches, because I provide water in the wilderness and rivers in the desert, to give drink to My chosen people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/8-7.htm">Jeremiah 8:7</a></span><br />Even the stork in the sky knows her appointed seasons. The turtledove, the swift, and the thrush keep their time of migration, but My people do not know the requirements of the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/4-33.htm">1 Kings 4:33</a></span><br />He spoke of trees, from the cedar in Lebanon to the hyssop growing in the wall, and he taught about animals, birds, reptiles, and fish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/2-18.htm">Hosea 2:18-20</a></span><br />On that day I will make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field and the birds of the air and the creatures that crawl on the ground. And I will abolish bow and sword and battle in the land, and will make them lie down in safety. / So I will betroth you to Me forever; I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, in loving devotion and compassion. / And I will betroth you in faithfulness, and you will know the LORD.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/1-16.htm">Colossians 1:16-17</a></span><br />For in Him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. All things were created through Him and for Him. / He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach you: and the fishes of the sea shall declare to you.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/job/12-7.htm">Declare</a> <a href="/job/11-9.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/nehemiah/13-16.htm">Fish</a> <a href="/1_kings/4-33.htm">Fishes</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/5-10.htm">Flat</a> <a href="/ezra/7-24.htm">Inform</a> <a href="/job/1-15.htm">News</a> <a href="/job/8-19.htm">Plants</a> <a href="/2_kings/8-4.htm">Recount</a> <a href="/job/11-9.htm">Sea</a> <a href="/2_kings/17-18.htm">Sheweth</a> <a href="/job/11-5.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/job/11-3.htm">Talk</a> <a href="/job/12-7.htm">Teach</a> <a href="/job/12-2.htm">Wisdom</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/job/15-17.htm">Declare</a> <a href="/job/12-15.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/job/41-7.htm">Fish</a> <a href="/psalms/8-8.htm">Fishes</a> <a href="/ezekiel/8-10.htm">Flat</a> <a href="/job/38-3.htm">Inform</a> <a href="/job/33-26.htm">News</a> <a href="/job/31-40.htm">Plants</a> <a href="/psalms/9-1.htm">Recount</a> <a href="/job/14-11.htm">Sea</a> <a href="/job/17-5.htm">Sheweth</a> <a href="/job/13-3.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/job/13-3.htm">Talk</a> <a href="/job/21-22.htm">Teach</a> <a href="/job/12-12.htm">Wisdom</a><div class="vheading2">Job 12</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/12-1.htm">Job maintains himself against his friends that reprove him</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/12-7.htm">He acknowledges the doctrine of God's omnipotence</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/job/12.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/job/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/job/12.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Or speak to the earth, and it will teach you;</b><br>This phrase suggests that the natural world holds wisdom and knowledge that can be discerned by those who observe it. In the biblical context, the earth is often seen as a testament to God's creation and power (<a href="/psalms/19.htm">Psalm 19:1-4</a>). The earth teaching us can be understood as a call to recognize God's handiwork in creation, as seen in <a href="/romans/1-20.htm">Romans 1:20</a>, where Paul states that God's invisible qualities are evident in the things He has made. Historically, the ancient Near Eastern cultures, including the Israelites, had a deep connection with the land, understanding it as a source of sustenance and divine revelation. This phrase encourages humility and a recognition of human limitations in understanding the divine, as Job is reminded of the vastness of God's wisdom compared to human knowledge.<p><b>let the fish of the sea inform you.</b><br>The mention of the fish of the sea highlights the diversity and complexity of life that God has created. In biblical literature, the sea often represents chaos and the unknown, yet it is also under God's control (<a href="/psalms/104-24.htm">Psalm 104:24-26</a>). The fish, as part of this creation, serve as a metaphor for the hidden and mysterious aspects of God's wisdom that are beyond human comprehension. This can be connected to Jesus Christ, who called His disciples to be "fishers of men" (<a href="/matthew/4-19.htm">Matthew 4:19</a>), symbolizing the gathering of people into God's kingdom. The fish also remind us of the miracle of the feeding of the 5,000 (<a href="/john/6.htm">John 6:1-14</a>), where Jesus demonstrated His authority over creation. In Job's context, this phrase underscores the idea that even the most seemingly insignificant parts of creation can reveal truths about God's nature and His sovereign rule over the universe.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/job.htm">Job</a></b><br>A man described as blameless and upright, who feared God and shunned evil. He is the central figure in the Book of Job, known for his immense suffering and his quest for understanding God's justice.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/e/earth.htm">Earth</a></b><br>In this context, the earth is personified as a teacher, suggesting that creation itself can reveal truths about God and His wisdom.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/f/fish_of_the_sea.htm">Fish of the Sea</a></b><br>Represents the creatures of the sea, which, like the earth, are depicted as having knowledge to impart about God's creation and order.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/j/job's_friends.htm">Job's Friends</a></b><br>Although not directly mentioned in this verse, they are part of the larger account. They attempt to explain Job's suffering through traditional wisdom, which Job challenges.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/g/god's_creation.htm">God's Creation</a></b><br>The broader context of this verse points to the natural world as a testament to God's power and wisdom.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/c/creation_as_a_source_of_wisdom.htm">Creation as a Source of Wisdom</a></b><br>The natural world is a testament to God's wisdom and power. Observing creation can lead to a deeper understanding of God's character and His order.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/humility_in_learning.htm">Humility in Learning</a></b><br>Job's invitation to learn from the earth and sea creatures encourages humility. We should be open to learning from all aspects of God's creation, recognizing our limited understanding.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_creation.htm">God's Sovereignty in Creation</a></b><br>The verse underscores God's sovereignty over all creation. Everything in nature operates under His command and reveals His divine attributes.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_limitations_of_human_wisdom.htm">The Limitations of Human Wisdom</a></b><br>Job challenges the conventional wisdom of his friends, suggesting that true understanding comes from God and His creation, not solely from human reasoning.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/seeking_god_in_nature.htm">Seeking God in Nature</a></b><br>Believers are encouraged to seek God not only in scripture but also in the world around them, finding His fingerprints in the intricacies of nature.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_job_12.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Job 12</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/was_jonah_truly_swallowed_by_a_whale.htm">Was Jonah truly swallowed by a whale?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_job_19_27_conflict_with_ot_afterlife.htm">If Job 19:27 implies a personal, bodily resurrection, does this conflict with other Old Testament notions of the afterlife?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_job_16_11_suggest_god_delivers_innocents.htm">In Job 16:11, why would a just God 'deliver' the innocent to the ungodly, contradicting passages that promise divine protection?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_the_adamic_covenant.htm">What is the Adamic Covenant?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/job/12.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 8.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee</span>. If the material earth be intended, the appeal must be to its orderly course, its summers and winters, its seedtime and harvest, its former and latter rains, its constant productivity, which, no less than animal instincts, speak of a single ruling power directing and ordering all things. If the creeping things of the earth, the reptile creation, be meant, then the argument is merely an expansion of that in the preceding verse. The instincts of reptiles are to be ascribed, no less than those of beasts and birds, to the constant superintending action and providence of the Almighty. <span class="cmt_word">And the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee</span>. The testimony will be unanimous - beasts, birds, reptiles, and fishes will unite in it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/job/12-8.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Or</span><br /><span class="heb">א֤וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(’ōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_176.htm">Strong's 176: </a> </span><span class="str2">Desire, if</span><br /><br /><span class="word">speak</span><br /><span class="heb">שִׂ֣יחַ</span> <span class="translit">(śî·aḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7878.htm">Strong's 7878: </a> </span><span class="str2">To muse, complain, talk (of)</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to the earth,</span><br /><span class="heb">לָאָ֣רֶץ</span> <span class="translit">(lā·’ā·reṣ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l, Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_776.htm">Strong's 776: </a> </span><span class="str2">Earth, land</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and it will teach you;</span><br /><span class="heb">וְתֹרֶ֑ךָּ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ṯō·re·kā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive imperfect - third person feminine singular | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3384.htm">Strong's 3384: </a> </span><span class="str2">To flow as water, to lay, throw, to point out, to teach</span><br /><br /><span class="word">let the fish</span><br /><span class="heb">דְּגֵ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(də·ḡê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1709.htm">Strong's 1709: </a> </span><span class="str2">A fish</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the sea</span><br /><span class="heb">הַיָּֽם׃</span> <span class="translit">(hay·yām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3220.htm">Strong's 3220: </a> </span><span class="str2">A sea, the Mediterranean Sea, large river, an artifical basin</span><br /><br /><span class="word">inform</span><br /><span class="heb">וִֽיסַפְּר֥וּ</span> <span class="translit">(wî·sap·pə·rū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5608.htm">Strong's 5608: </a> </span><span class="str2">To count, recount, relate</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you.</span><br /><span class="heb">לְ֝ךָ֗</span> <span class="translit">(lə·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> </span><span class="str2"></span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/job/12-8.htm">Job 12:8 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/job/12-8.htm">Job 12:8 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/job/12-8.htm">Job 12:8 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/job/12-8.htm">Job 12:8 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/job/12-8.htm">Job 12:8 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/job/12-8.htm">Job 12:8 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/job/12-8.htm">Job 12:8 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/job/12-8.htm">Job 12:8 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/job/12-8.htm">Job 12:8 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/job/12-8.htm">Job 12:8 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/job/12-8.htm">OT Poetry: Job 12:8 Or speak to the earth and it (Jb) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/job/12-7.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Job 12:7"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Job 12:7" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/job/12-9.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Job 12:9"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Job 12:9" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>