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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 27:12 Surely all of you have seen it for yourselves. Why then do you keep up this empty talk?</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/job/27-12.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/13/18_Job_27_12.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Job 27:12 - The Wicked Man's Portion" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Surely all of you have seen it for yourselves. Why then do you keep up this empty talk?" /><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/27-12.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/27-12.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/27.htm">Chapter 27</a> > Verse 12</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="/ad12.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/27-11.htm" title="Job 27:11">◄</a> Job 27:12 <a href="/job/27-13.htm" title="Job 27:13">►</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/27.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/27.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />You have all seen this yourselves. Why then this meaningless talk?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/job/27.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />But you have seen all this, yet you say all these useless things to me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/job/27.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Behold, all of you have seen it yourselves; why then have you become altogether vain?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/job/27.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Surely all of you have seen it for yourselves. Why then do you keep up this empty talk?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/job/27.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Behold, all ye yourselves have seen <i>it</i>; why then are ye thus altogether vain?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/job/27.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Surely all of you have seen <i>it;</i> Why then do you behave with complete nonsense?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/job/27.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Behold, all of you have seen <i>it;</i> Why then do you talk of nothing?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/job/27.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Behold, all of you have seen it; Why then do you act foolishly?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/job/27.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Behold, all of you have seen <i>it;</i> Why then do you act foolishly?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/job/27.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Behold, all of you have seen <i>it</i>; Why then do you speak with utter vanity?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/job/27.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“Behold, all of you have seen it; Why then do you act vainly <i>and</i> foolishly [cherishing worthless concepts]?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/job/27.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />All of you have seen this for yourselves, why do you keep up this empty talk?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/job/27.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />All of you have seen this for yourselves, why do you keep up this empty talk? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/job/27.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Behold, all ye yourselves have seen it; Why then are ye become altogether vain?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/job/27.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />All of you have seen these things for yourselves. So you have no excuse. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/job/27.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Behold, all ye yourselves have seen it; why then are ye become altogether vain?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/job/27.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Certainly, you have all seen it. Why then do you chatter on about such nonsense?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/job/27.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />But no, after all, you have seen for yourselves; so why do you talk such nonsense? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/job/27.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Look! All of you have been watching, so why have you become so completely worthless?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/job/27.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Surely all of you have seen it for yourselves. Why then do you keep up this empty talk?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/job/27.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />If you yourselves have all seen this, Why in the world do you continue this meaningless talk? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/job/27.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Look, all of you have seen it yourselves; why then have you become altogether vain?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/job/27.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Behold, all ye yourselves have seen it; why then are ye thus altogether vain?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/job/27.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Behold, all of you have seen it yourselves; why then have you become altogether vain? <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/job/27.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Behold, you—all of you—have seen, "" And why [is] this—you are altogether vain?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/job/27.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Lo, ye -- all of you -- have seen, And why is this -- ye are altogether vain?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/job/27.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Behold, all ye yourselves saw; and wherefore this, will ye breathe out vanity?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/job/27.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Behold you all know it, and why do you speak vain things without cause? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/job/27.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Behold, you know all this, and so why do you speak vain things without a reason?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/job/27.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Look, you yourselves have all seen it; why do you spend yourselves in empty words! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/job/27.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />All of you have seen it yourselves; why then have you become altogether vain?<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/job/27.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Behold, all of you have seen it; why then do you boast in vain?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/job/27.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Behold, all of you have seen, and why are you magnifying yourselves for nothing?<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/job/27.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Behold, all ye yourselves have seen it; Why then are ye become altogether vain?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/job/27.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Behold, ye all know that ye are adding vanity to vanity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/job/27-12.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=4004" 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/27.htm">The Wicked Man's Portion</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">11</span>I will instruct you in the power of God. I will not conceal the ways of the Almighty. <span class="reftext">12</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/2005.htm" title="2005: hên- (Interjection) -- Lo! behold! A primitive particle; lo!; also if.">Surely</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: kul·lə·ḵem (N-msc:: 2mp) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">all of you</a> <a href="/hebrew/2372.htm" title="2372: ḥă·zî·ṯem (V-Qal-Perf-2mp) -- See, behold. A primitive root; to gaze at; mentally, to perceive, contemplate; specifically, to have a vision of.">have seen it</a> <a href="/hebrew/859.htm" title="859: ’at·tem (Pro-2mp) -- You (masc. sing.). ">for yourselves.</a> <a href="/hebrew/4100.htm" title="4100: wə·lām·māh- (Conj-w:: Interrog) -- What? how? anything. ">Why then</a> <a href="/hebrew/2088.htm" title="2088: zeh (Pro-ms) -- This, here. A primitive word; the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that.">do you keep up this</a> <a href="/hebrew/1892.htm" title="1892: he·ḇel (N-ms) -- Or Habel; from habal; emptiness or vanity; figuratively, something transitory and unsatisfactory; often used as an adverb.">empty talk?</a> <a href="/hebrew/1891.htm" title="1891: teh·bā·lū (V-Qal-Imperf-2mp) -- To act emptily, become vain. A primitive root; to be vain in act, word, or expectation; specifically to lead astray."></a> </span><span class="reftext">13</span>This is the wicked man’s portion from God—the heritage the ruthless receive from the Almighty.…<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="/psalms/37-35.htm">Psalm 37:35-36</a></span><br />I have seen a wicked, ruthless man flourishing like a well-rooted native tree, / yet he passed away and was no more; though I searched, he could not be found.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/10-27.htm">Proverbs 10:27-30</a></span><br />The fear of the LORD prolongs life, but the years of the wicked will be cut short. / The hope of the righteous is joy, but the expectations of the wicked will perish. / The way of the LORD is a refuge to the upright, but destruction awaits those who do evil. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ecclesiastes/8-12.htm">Ecclesiastes 8:12-13</a></span><br />Although a sinner does evil a hundred times and still lives long, yet I also know that it will go well with those who fear God, who are reverent in His presence. / Yet because the wicked do not fear God, it will not go well with them, and their days will not lengthen like a shadow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/73-18.htm">Psalm 73:18-20</a></span><br />Surely You set them on slick ground; You cast them down into ruin. / How suddenly they are laid waste, completely swept away by terrors! / Like one waking from a dream, so You, O Lord, awaken and despise their form.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/57-20.htm">Isaiah 57:20-21</a></span><br />But the wicked are like the storm-tossed sea, for it cannot be still, and its waves churn up mire and muck. / “There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/12-1.htm">Jeremiah 12:1-2</a></span><br />Righteous are You, O LORD, when I plead before You. Yet about Your judgments I wish to contend with You: Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all the faithless live at ease? / You planted them, and they have taken root. They have grown and produced fruit. You are ever on their lips, but far from their hearts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/18-24.htm">Ezekiel 18:24</a></span><br />But if a righteous man turns from his righteousness and practices iniquity, committing the same abominations as the wicked, will he live? None of the righteous acts he did will be remembered. Because of the unfaithfulness and sin he has committed, he will die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/malachi/3-15.htm">Malachi 3:15-18</a></span><br />So now we call the arrogant blessed. Not only do evildoers prosper, they even test God and escape.’” / At that time those who feared the LORD spoke with one another, and the LORD listened and heard them. So a scroll of remembrance was written before Him regarding those who feared the LORD and honored His name. / “They will be Mine,” says the LORD of Hosts, “on the day when I prepare My treasured possession. And I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/7-26.htm">Matthew 7:26-27</a></span><br />But everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. / The rain fell, the torrents raged, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell—and great was its collapse!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/12-20.htm">Luke 12:20-21</a></span><br />But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be required of you. Then who will own what you have accumulated?’ / This is how it will be for anyone who stores up treasure for himself but is not rich toward God.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/1-18.htm">Romans 1:18-21</a></span><br />The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness. / For what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. / 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="/1_corinthians/3-19.htm">1 Corinthians 3:19-20</a></span><br />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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_thessalonians/1-6.htm">2 Thessalonians 1:6-9</a></span><br />After all, it is only right for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, / and to grant relief to you who are oppressed and to us as well. This will take place when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels / in blazing fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_peter/2-20.htm">2 Peter 2:20-22</a></span><br />If indeed they have escaped the corruption of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, only to be entangled and overcome by it again, their final condition is worse than it was at first. / It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness than to have known it and then to turn away from the holy commandment passed on to them. / Of them the proverbs are true: “A dog returns to its vomit,” and, “A sow that is washed goes back to her wallowing in the mud.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jude/1-10.htm">Jude 1:10-13</a></span><br />These men, however, slander what they do not understand, and like irrational animals, they will be destroyed by the things they do instinctively. / Woe to them! They have traveled the path of Cain; they have rushed headlong into the error of Balaam; they have perished in Korah’s rebellion. / These men are hidden reefs in your love feasts, shamelessly feasting with you but shepherding only themselves. They are clouds without water, carried along by the wind; fruitless trees in autumn, twice dead after being uprooted. ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Behold, all you yourselves have seen it; why then are you thus altogether vain?</p><p class="hdg">ye yourselves</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/21-28.htm">Job 21:28-30</a></b></br> For ye say, Where <i>is</i> the house of the prince? and where <i>are</i> the dwelling places of the wicked? … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ecclesiastes/8-14.htm">Ecclesiastes 8:14</a></b></br> There is a vanity which is done upon the earth; that there be just <i>men</i>, unto whom it happeneth according to the work of the wicked; again, there be wicked <i>men</i>, to whom it happeneth according to the work of the righteous: I said that this also <i>is</i> vanity.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ecclesiastes/9-1.htm">Ecclesiastes 9:1-3</a></b></br> For all this I considered in my heart even to declare all this, that the righteous, and the wise, and their works, <i>are</i> in the hand of God: no man knoweth either love or hatred <i>by</i> all <i>that is</i> before them… </p><p class="hdg">altogether</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/6-25.htm">Job 6:25-29</a></b></br> How forcible are right words! but what doth your arguing reprove? … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/13-4.htm">Job 13:4-9</a></b></br> But ye <i>are</i> forgers of lies, ye <i>are</i> all physicians of no value… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/16-3.htm">Job 16:3</a></b></br> Shall vain words have an end? or what emboldeneth thee that thou answerest?</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/esther/1-18.htm">Act</a> <a href="/job/24-4.htm">Altogether</a> <a href="/job/21-23.htm">Completely</a> <a href="/job/12-17.htm">Foolish</a> <a href="/job/1-22.htm">Foolishly</a> <a href="/1_timothy/1-6.htm">Meaningless</a> <a href="/job/19-18.htm">Talk</a> <a href="/job/24-1.htm">Vain</a> <a href="/job/19-29.htm">Yourselves</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/job/31-11.htm">Act</a> <a href="/psalms/19-9.htm">Altogether</a> <a href="/job/28-27.htm">Completely</a> <a href="/psalms/2-1.htm">Foolish</a> <a href="/psalms/75-4.htm">Foolishly</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/1-2.htm">Meaningless</a> <a href="/job/35-16.htm">Talk</a> <a href="/job/35-16.htm">Vain</a> <a href="/job/33-5.htm">Yourselves</a><div class="vheading2">Job 27</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/27-1.htm">Job protests his sincerity</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/27-8.htm">The hypocrite is without hope</a></span><br><span class="reftext">11. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/27-11.htm">The blessings which the wicked have are turned into curses</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/27.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/27.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Surely all of you have seen it for yourselves.</b><br>This phrase suggests that Job's friends have witnessed the same realities of life and suffering that he has. In the context of the Book of Job, Job is addressing his friends who have been insisting that his suffering is due to his own sin. The phrase implies that the evidence of the righteous suffering and the wicked prospering is apparent to all, challenging the retribution theology that his friends hold. This reflects the broader biblical theme that God's ways and purposes are often beyond human understanding, as seen in <a href="/isaiah/55-8.htm">Isaiah 55:8-9</a>, where God's thoughts and ways are higher than ours.<p><b>Why then do you keep up this empty talk?</b><br>Job accuses his friends of speaking without understanding, highlighting the futility of their arguments. This reflects the cultural context of ancient Near Eastern wisdom literature, where dialogue and debate were common methods of exploring truth. Job's rebuke underscores the inadequacy of human wisdom compared to divine wisdom, a theme echoed in <a href="/1_corinthians/1-25.htm">1 Corinthians 1:25</a>, where the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom. The phrase also points to the importance of speaking truthfully and wisely, as emphasized in <a href="/proverbs/18-21.htm">Proverbs 18:21</a>, which speaks of the power of the tongue.<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 integrity who undergoes severe trials and suffering. In this chapter, Job is responding to his friends' accusations and maintaining his innocence.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/job's_friends.htm">Job's Friends</a></b><br>Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, who have come to comfort Job but end up accusing him of wrongdoing, suggesting that his suffering is a result of his sin.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/u/uz.htm">Uz</a></b><br>The land where Job lived, often associated with the region east of Israel, possibly in Edom or northern Arabia.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_dialogue.htm">The Dialogue</a></b><br>The ongoing conversation between Job and his friends, which forms the central part of the Book of Job, exploring themes of suffering, justice, and divine sovereignty.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty.htm">God's Sovereignty</a></b><br>An underlying theme in the Book of Job, emphasizing God's ultimate control and wisdom, even when human understanding is limited.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_discernment_in_speech.htm">The Importance of Discernment in Speech</a></b><br>Job challenges his friends' "empty talk," reminding us to be discerning and thoughtful in our conversations, especially when addressing others' suffering.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_value_of_personal_experience.htm">The Value of Personal Experience</a></b><br>Job points out that his friends have "seen it for themselves," emphasizing the importance of personal experience and observation in understanding God's work in our lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_assumptions.htm">The Danger of Assumptions</a></b><br>Job's friends assumed his suffering was due to sin. This teaches us to avoid making assumptions about others' circumstances without understanding the full context.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/m/maintaining_integrity_amidst_accusations.htm">Maintaining Integrity Amidst Accusations</a></b><br>Despite his friends' accusations, Job maintains his integrity. This encourages us to hold fast to our faith and character, even when misunderstood or falsely accused.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trusting_god's_sovereignty.htm">Trusting God's Sovereignty</a></b><br>The overarching theme of God's sovereignty in Job's account reminds us to trust in God's wisdom and plan, even when we cannot see the full picture.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_job_27.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Job 27</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_defines_being_devout.htm">What does the Bible say about Empty Nest Syndrome?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_the_bible_view_evil.htm">How does the Bible explain evil and suffering?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_did_jesus_mean_by_'prayer_and_fasting'.htm">What defines the patience of the saints?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_persevere_through_challenges.htm">How do we persevere in life's challenges?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/job/27.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(</span>12<span class= "ital">)</span> <span class= "bld">Behold, all ye yourselves have seen it.</span>--That is, "You have seen me so proclaim the great power of God."<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/job/27.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 12.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Behold, all ye yourselves have seen it</span>. The true Divine scheme of action has been so long and so frequently made manifest - openly set forth in the sight o! men - that Job cannot believe that those whom he addresses are ignorant of it. They must themselves have seen the scheme at work. <span class="cmt_word">Why then are ye thus altogether vain?</span> Why, then, do they not draw true inferences from the facts that come under their notice? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/job/27-12.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">Surely</span><br /><span class="heb">הֵן־</span> <span class="translit">(hên-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interjection<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2005.htm">Strong's 2005: </a> </span><span class="str2">Lo! behold!</span><br /><br /><span class="word">all of you</span><br /><span class="heb">כֻּלְּכֶ֣ם</span> <span class="translit">(kul·lə·ḵem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">have seen [it]</span><br /><span class="heb">חֲזִיתֶ֑ם</span> <span class="translit">(ḥă·zî·ṯem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2372.htm">Strong's 2372: </a> </span><span class="str2">To gaze at, to perceive, contemplate, to have a, vision of</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for yourselves.</span><br /><span class="heb">אַתֶּ֣ם</span> <span class="translit">(’at·tem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_859.htm">Strong's 859: </a> </span><span class="str2">Thou and thee, ye and you</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Why then</span><br /><span class="heb">וְלָמָּה־</span> <span class="translit">(wə·lām·māh-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4100.htm">Strong's 4100: </a> </span><span class="str2">What?, what!, indefinitely what</span><br /><br /><span class="word">do you keep up this</span><br /><span class="heb">זֶּ֝֗ה</span> <span class="translit">(zeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2088.htm">Strong's 2088: </a> </span><span class="str2">This, that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">empty talk?</span><br /><span class="heb">הֶ֣בֶל</span> <span class="translit">(he·ḇel)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1892.htm">Strong's 1892: </a> </span><span class="str2">Emptiness, vanity, transitory, unsatisfactory</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/job/27-12.htm">Job 27:12 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/job/27-12.htm">Job 27:12 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/job/27-12.htm">Job 27:12 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/job/27-12.htm">Job 27:12 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/job/27-12.htm">Job 27:12 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/job/27-12.htm">Job 27:12 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/job/27-12.htm">Job 27:12 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/job/27-12.htm">Job 27:12 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/job/27-12.htm">Job 27:12 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/job/27-12.htm">Job 27:12 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/job/27-12.htm">OT Poetry: Job 27:12 Behold all of you have seen it (Jb) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/job/27-11.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Job 27:11"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Job 27:11" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/job/27-13.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Job 27:13"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Job 27:13" /></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>