CINXE.COM

<!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 12:23 He makes nations great and destroys them; He enlarges nations, then disperses them.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/job/12-23.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/13/18_Job_12_23.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Job 12:23 - Job Responds to Zophar" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="He makes nations great and destroys them; He enlarges nations, then disperses them." /><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><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/12-23.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/12-23.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 23</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="/ad3.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/12-22.htm" title="Job 12:22">◄</a> Job 12:23 <a href="/job/12-24.htm" title="Job 12:24">►</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 />He makes nations great, and destroys them; he enlarges nations, and disperses them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/job/12.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />He builds up nations, and he destroys them. He expands nations, and he abandons them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/job/12.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />He makes nations great, and he destroys them; he enlarges nations, and leads them away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/job/12.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />He makes nations great and destroys them; He enlarges nations, then disperses them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/job/12.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />He increaseth the nations, and destroyeth them: he enlargeth the nations, and straiteneth them <i>again</i>.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/job/12.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />He makes nations great, and destroys them; He enlarges nations, and guides them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/job/12.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“He makes the nations great, then destroys them; He enlarges the nations, then leads them away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/job/12.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220He makes the nations great, then destroys them; He enlarges the nations, then leads them away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/job/12.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“He makes the nations great, then destroys them; He enlarges the nations, then leads them away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/job/12.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />He makes the nations great, then makes them perish; He enlarges the nations, then leads them away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/job/12.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“He makes nations great, and He destroys them; He enlarges nations, and leads them away [captive].<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/job/12.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />He makes nations great, then destroys them; he enlarges nations, then leads them away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/job/12.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />He makes nations great, then destroys them; He enlarges nations, then leads them away. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/job/12.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />He increaseth the nations, and he destroyeth them: He enlargeth the nations, and he leadeth them captive.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/job/12.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />he makes nations strong, then shatters their strength. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/job/12.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />He increaseth the nations, and destroyeth them: he spreadeth the nations abroad, and bringeth them in.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/job/12.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />He makes nations important and then destroys them. He makes nations large and leads them away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/job/12.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />He makes nations strong and great, but then he defeats and destroys them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/job/12.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />He makes nations great, and then destroys them; he enlarges nations, but then sends them away to captivity. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/job/12.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />He makes nations great and destroys them; He enlarges nations, then disperses them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/job/12.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />He makes nations great, and destroys them; he extends the boundaries of nations and disperses them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/job/12.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />He increases the nations, and he destroys them. He enlarges the nations, and he leads them captive.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/job/12.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />He increaseth nations, and destroyeth them: he enlargeth nations, and straiteneth them again.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/job/12.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />He increases the nations, and he destroys them. He enlarges the nations, and he leads them captive. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/job/12.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Magnifying the nations, and He destroys them, "" Spreading out the nations, and He quiets them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/job/12.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Magnifying the nations, and He destroyeth them, Spreading out the nations, and He quieteth them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/job/12.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Making great to the nations, and he will destroy them: he spread out to the nations, and he will guide them.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/job/12.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />He multiplieth nations, and destroyeth them, and restoreth them again after they were overthrown. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/job/12.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />He multiplies peoples, and destroys them, and, having been overthrown, he restores them anew.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/job/12.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />He makes nations great and destroys them, spreads peoples abroad and abandons them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/job/12.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />He makes nations great, then destroys them; he enlarges nations, then leads them away.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/job/12.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />He causes the nations to err, and destroys them; he strikes down the nations, and forsakes them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/job/12.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />He deceives the nations and scatters them. He strikes down the nations and destroys them. He spreads out the peoples and he leaves them<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/job/12.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />He increaseth the nations, and destroyeth them; He enlargeth the nations, and leadeth them away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/job/12.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Causing the nations to wander, and destroying them: overthrowing the nations, and leading them <i>away</i>.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/job/12-23.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=1903" 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">22</span>He reveals the deep things of darkness and brings deep shadows into light. <span class="reftext">23</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1471.htm" title="1471: lag·gō·w·yim (Prep-l, Art:: N-mp) -- Rarely goy; apparently from the same root as gevah; a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts.">He makes nations</a> <a href="/hebrew/7679.htm" title="7679: maś·gî (V-Hifil-Prtcpl-ms) -- To grow, grow great.: a primitive root; to grow, i.e. to enlarge, laud.">great</a> <a href="/hebrew/6.htm" title="6: way·’ab·bə·ḏêm (Conj-w:: V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3ms:: 3mp) -- To perish. A primitive root; properly, to wander away, i.e. Lose oneself; by implication to perish.">and destroys them;</a> <a href="/hebrew/7849.htm" title="7849: šō·ṭê·aḥ (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To spread, spread abroad. A primitive root; to expand.">He enlarges</a> <a href="/hebrew/1471.htm" title="1471: lag·gō·w·yim (Prep-l, Art:: N-mp) -- Rarely goy; apparently from the same root as gevah; a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts.">nations,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5148.htm" title="5148: way·yan·ḥêm (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConsecImperf-3ms:: 3mp) -- To lead, guide. A primitive root; to guide; by implication, to transport.">then disperses them.</a> </span><span class="reftext">24</span>He deprives the earth’s leaders of reason and makes them wander in a trackless wasteland.…<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="/daniel/2-21.htm">Daniel 2:21</a></span><br />He changes the times and seasons; He removes kings and establishes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/75-6.htm">Psalm 75:6-7</a></span><br />For exaltation comes neither from east nor west, nor out of the desert, / but it is God who judges; He brings down one and exalts another.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/40-23.htm">Isaiah 40:23-24</a></span><br />He brings the princes to nothing and makes the rulers of the earth meaningless. / No sooner are they planted, no sooner are they sown, no sooner have their stems taken root in the ground, than He blows on them and they wither, and a whirlwind sweeps them away like stubble.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/17-26.htm">Acts 17:26</a></span><br />From one man He made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and He determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their lands.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/18-7.htm">Jeremiah 18:7-10</a></span><br />At any time I might announce that a nation or kingdom will be uprooted, torn down, and destroyed. / But if that nation I warned turns from its evil, then I will relent of the disaster I had planned to bring. / And if at another time I announce that I will build up and establish a nation or kingdom, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/21-1.htm">Proverbs 21:1</a></span><br />The king’s heart is a waterway in the hand of the LORD; He directs it where He pleases.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/10-12.htm">Isaiah 10:12-14</a></span><br />So when the Lord has completed all His work against Mount Zion and Jerusalem, He will say, “I will punish the king of Assyria for the fruit of his arrogant heart and the proud look in his eyes. / For he says: ‘By the strength of my hand I have done this, and by my wisdom, for I am clever. I have removed the boundaries of nations and plundered their treasures; like a mighty one I subdued their rulers. / My hand reached as into a nest to seize the wealth of the nations. Like one gathering abandoned eggs, I gathered all the earth. No wing fluttered, no beak opened or chirped.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/2-7.htm">1 Samuel 2:7-8</a></span><br />The LORD sends poverty and wealth; He humbles and He exalts. / He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap. He seats them among princes and bestows on them a throne of honor. For the foundations of the earth are the LORD’s, and upon them He has set the world.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/107-33.htm">Psalm 107:33-34</a></span><br />He turns rivers into deserts, springs of water into thirsty ground, / and fruitful land into fields of salt, because of the wickedness of its dwellers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/45-1.htm">Isaiah 45:1-2</a></span><br />This is what the LORD says to Cyrus His anointed, whose right hand I have grasped to subdue nations before him, to disarm kings, to open the doors before him, so that the gates will not be shut: / “I will go before you and level the mountains; I will break down the gates of bronze and cut through the bars of iron.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/21-27.htm">Ezekiel 21:27</a></span><br />A ruin, a ruin, I will make it a ruin! And it will not be restored until the arrival of Him to whom it belongs, to whom I have assigned the right of judgment.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/1-52.htm">Luke 1:52</a></span><br />He has brought down rulers from their thrones, but has exalted the humble.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/23-12.htm">Matthew 23:12</a></span><br />For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/4-10.htm">James 4:10</a></span><br />Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/5-6.htm">1 Peter 5:6</a></span><br />Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, so that in due time He may exalt you.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">He increases the nations, and destroys them: he enlarges the nations, and straitens them again.</p><p class="hdg">increaseth</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/1-7.htm">Exodus 1:7,20</a></b></br> And the children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed exceeding mighty; and the land was filled with them… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/107-38.htm">Psalm 107:38</a></b></br> He blesseth them also, so that they are multiplied greatly; and suffereth not their cattle to decrease.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/9-3.htm">Isaiah 9:3</a></b></br> Thou hast multiplied the nation, <i>and</i> not increased the joy: they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, <i>and</i> as <i>men</i> rejoice when they divide the spoil.</p><p class="hdg">straiteneth them again.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/esther/2-6.htm">Captive</a> <a href="/job/9-22.htm">Destroyeth</a> <a href="/job/9-22.htm">Destroys</a> <a href="/job/12-6.htm">Destruction</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-8.htm">Disperses</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/33-20.htm">Enlarges</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/33-20.htm">Enlargeth</a> <a href="/job/9-10.htm">Great</a> <a href="/leviticus/25-16.htm">Increases</a> <a href="/job/10-16.htm">Increaseth</a> <a href="/job/10-17.htm">Increasing</a> <a href="/job/12-19.htm">Leads</a> <a href="/2_samuel/22-51.htm">Magnifying</a> <a href="/job/12-20.htm">Makes</a> <a href="/job/12-22.htm">Making</a> <a href="/nehemiah/13-26.htm">Nations</a> <a href="/esther/9-2.htm">Peoples</a> <a href="/job/37-17.htm">Quieteth</a> <a href="/job/5-10.htm">Sending</a> <a href="/job/9-8.htm">Spreadeth</a> <a href="/job/8-16.htm">Spreading</a> <a href="/nehemiah/7-4.htm">Wide</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/psalms/14-7.htm">Captive</a> <a href="/job/30-24.htm">Destroyeth</a> <a href="/psalms/91-6.htm">Destroys</a> <a href="/job/15-21.htm">Destruction</a> <a href="/job/37-11.htm">Disperses</a> <a href="/isaiah/5-14.htm">Enlarges</a> <a href="/habakkuk/2-5.htm">Enlargeth</a> <a href="/job/19-5.htm">Great</a> <a href="/psalms/49-16.htm">Increases</a> <a href="/psalms/62-10.htm">Increaseth</a> <a href="/job/21-7.htm">Increasing</a> <a href="/psalms/25-9.htm">Leads</a> <a href="/psalms/18-50.htm">Magnifying</a> <a href="/job/12-24.htm">Makes</a> <a href="/job/13-27.htm">Making</a> <a href="/job/36-31.htm">Nations</a> <a href="/job/17-6.htm">Peoples</a> <a href="/job/37-17.htm">Quieteth</a> <a href="/job/16-11.htm">Sending</a> <a href="/job/26-9.htm">Spreadeth</a> <a href="/job/26-9.htm">Spreading</a> <a href="/job/16-10.htm">Wide</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>He makes nations great</b><br>This phrase highlights God's sovereignty over the rise of nations. Throughout biblical history, God has been depicted as the ultimate authority who establishes kingdoms according to His divine plan. For example, in <a href="/genesis/12-2.htm">Genesis 12:2</a>, God promises to make Abraham's descendants into a great nation, illustrating His power to elevate a people for His purposes. The rise of Israel under leaders like David and Solomon is a testament to God's ability to make a nation great. This also reflects the broader biblical theme that all authority and power are derived from God (<a href="/romans/13.htm">Romans 13:1</a>).<p><b>and destroys them;</b><br>This part of the verse underscores God's power to bring down nations. The Bible provides numerous examples of this, such as the fall of Babylon (<a href="/isaiah/13-19.htm">Isaiah 13:19</a>) and the destruction of Jerusalem (2 Kings 25). These events serve as reminders of the transient nature of human power and the ultimate authority of God over history. The destruction of nations often serves as a form of divine judgment, as seen in the prophetic books where God uses other nations to execute His judgment (<a href="/habakkuk/1-6.htm">Habakkuk 1:6</a>).<p><b>He enlarges nations,</b><br>God's ability to enlarge nations is seen in the expansion of territories and influence. The biblical narrative of Israel's conquest of Canaan (<a href="/joshua/1-4.htm">Joshua 1:4</a>) is an example of God enlarging a nation. This expansion is often linked to the fulfillment of divine promises and covenants, such as the promise to Abraham regarding the land (<a href="/genesis/15-18.htm">Genesis 15:18</a>). The enlargement of a nation can also be seen as a blessing from God, as in the case of Solomon's reign, where Israel's borders and influence were at their peak (<a href="/1_kings/4-21.htm">1 Kings 4:21</a>).<p><b>then disperses them.</b><br>The dispersion of nations is a theme that appears in various forms throughout the Bible. The Tower of Babel (<a href="/genesis/11-8.htm">Genesis 11:8</a>) is an early example where God disperses people to prevent them from uniting against His will. The exile of Israel and Judah (<a href="/2_kings/17-6.htm">2 Kings 17:6</a>; <a href="/2_kings/25-21.htm">2 Kings 25:21</a>) serves as a historical example of God dispersing His people as a consequence of their disobedience. This dispersion often serves a redemptive purpose, as it leads to repentance and eventual restoration. The concept of dispersion also foreshadows the spreading of the Gospel to all nations, as seen in the New Testament (<a href="/acts/1-8.htm">Acts 1:8</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/job.htm">Job</a></b><br>The central figure in the Book of Job, a man of great faith and patience who undergoes severe trials and suffering. His discourse in chapter 12 reflects his deep understanding of God's sovereignty over the world.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/n/nations.htm">Nations</a></b><br>Refers to the various peoples and kingdoms of the earth. In the context of <a href="/job/12-23.htm">Job 12:23</a>, it highlights God's control over the rise and fall of nations throughout history.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The sovereign Creator and Ruler of the universe, who exercises authority over all creation, including the destinies of nations.<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. Their dialogues with Job provide a backdrop for Job's assertions about God's power and justice.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_ancient_near_east.htm">The Ancient Near East</a></b><br>The historical and cultural setting of the Book of Job, where nations often rose and fell, illustrating the truth of Job's statement.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty.htm">God's Sovereignty</a></b><br>Recognize that God is in control of the rise and fall of nations. This understanding should lead to trust in His ultimate plan and purpose, even when global events seem chaotic.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/humility_before_god.htm">Humility Before God</a></b><br>Acknowledge that human power and political structures are temporary and subject to God's will. This should foster humility and reliance on God rather than on human institutions.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/prayer_for_nations.htm">Prayer for Nations</a></b><br>As believers, we are called to pray for our leaders and nations, seeking God's wisdom and guidance in their governance, knowing that He holds their destinies in His hands.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/hope_in_god's_justice.htm">Hope in God's Justice</a></b><br>Trust that God will ultimately bring justice and righteousness to the world. This hope should encourage believers to live righteously and advocate for justice in their communities.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/personal_reflection_on_influence.htm">Personal Reflection on Influence</a></b><br>Consider how God might use you to impact your community or nation. Reflect on your role in God's larger plan and seek to be a faithful steward of the influence you have.<a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/job/12.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(23) <span class= "bld">He increaseth the nations, and destroyeth them.</span>--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."<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/job/12.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 23.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">He increaseth the nations, and destroyeth them</span>. God's providence concerns itself, not only with the fate of individual men, bet also with that of nations. With Israel, his "peculiar people" (<a href="/deuteronomy/14-2.htm">Deuteronomy 14:2</a>), 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 (<a href="/daniel/10-13.htm">Daniel 10:13, 20</a>). At his pleasure he can "increase" nations by blessing them with extraordinary fecundity (<a href="/exodus/1-7.htm">Exodus 1:7-12</a>), or "destroy" them by internal decay, by civil wars, or by the swords of their neighbours. <span class="cmt_word">He enlargeth the nations, and straiteneth them again</span>; <span class="accented">i.e.</span> "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 <span class="accented">eases</span> in point. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/job/12-23.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">He makes nations</span><br /><span class="heb">לַ֭גּוֹיִם</span> <span class="translit">(lag·gō·w·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1471.htm">Strong's 1471: </a> </span><span class="str2">A foreign nation, a Gentile, a troop of animals, a flight of locusts</span><br /><br /><span class="word">great,</span><br /><span class="heb">מַשְׂגִּ֣יא</span> <span class="translit">(maś·gî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7679.htm">Strong's 7679: </a> </span><span class="str2">To grow, to enlarge, laud</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and destroys them;</span><br /><span class="heb">וַֽיְאַבְּדֵ֑ם</span> <span class="translit">(way·’ab·bə·ḏêm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6.htm">Strong's 6: </a> </span><span class="str2">To wander away, lose oneself, to perish</span><br /><br /><span class="word">He enlarges</span><br /><span class="heb">שֹׁטֵ֥חַ</span> <span class="translit">(šō·ṭê·aḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7849.htm">Strong's 7849: </a> </span><span class="str2">To spread, spread abroad</span><br /><br /><span class="word">nations,</span><br /><span class="heb">לַ֝גּוֹיִ֗ם</span> <span class="translit">(lag·gō·w·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1471.htm">Strong's 1471: </a> </span><span class="str2">A foreign nation, a Gentile, a troop of animals, a flight of locusts</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and sends them away.</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיַּנְחֵֽם׃</span> <span class="translit">(way·yan·ḥêm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5148.htm">Strong's 5148: </a> </span><span class="str2">To guide, to transport</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/job/12-23.htm">Job 12:23 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/job/12-23.htm">Job 12:23 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/job/12-23.htm">Job 12:23 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/job/12-23.htm">Job 12:23 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/job/12-23.htm">Job 12:23 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/job/12-23.htm">Job 12:23 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/job/12-23.htm">Job 12:23 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/job/12-23.htm">Job 12:23 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/job/12-23.htm">Job 12:23 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/job/12-23.htm">Job 12:23 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/job/12-23.htm">OT Poetry: Job 12:23 He increases the nations and he destroys (Jb) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/job/12-22.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Job 12:22"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Job 12:22" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/job/12-24.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Job 12:24"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Job 12:24" /></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>