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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 12:7 But ask the animals, and they will instruct you; ask the birds of the air, and they will tell you.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/job/12-7.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/16/18_Job_12_07.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Job 12:7 - Job Responds to Zophar" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="But ask the animals, and they will instruct you; ask the birds of the air, and they will tell 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><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/12-7.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/12-7.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 7</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="/ad7.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/12-6.htm" title="Job 12:6">◄</a> Job 12:7 <a href="/job/12-8.htm" title="Job 12:8">►</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 />&#8220But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/job/12.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“Just ask the animals, and they will teach you. Ask the birds of the sky, and they will tell you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/job/12.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />“But ask the beasts, and they will teach you; the birds of the heavens, and they will tell you;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/job/12.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />But ask the animals, and they will instruct you; ask the birds of the air, and they will tell you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/job/12.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/job/12.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />“But now ask the beasts, and they will teach you; And the birds of the air, and they will tell you;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/job/12.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“But just ask the animals, and have them teach you; And the birds of the sky, and have them tell you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/job/12.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220But now ask the beasts, and let them teach you; And the birds of the heavens, and let them tell you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/job/12.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“But now ask the beasts, and let them teach you; And the birds of the heavens, and let them tell you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/job/12.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />“But now ask the beasts, and let them instruct you; And the birds of the sky, and let them tell you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/job/12.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“Now ask the animals, and let them teach you [that God does not deal with His creatures according to their character]; And ask the birds of the air, and let them tell you;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/job/12.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />But ask the animals, and they will instruct you; ask the birds of the sky, and they will tell you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/job/12.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />But ask the animals, and they will instruct you; ask the birds of the sky, and they will tell you. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/job/12.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; And the birds of the heavens, and they shall tell thee:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/job/12.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />If you want to learn, then go and ask the wild animals and the birds, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/job/12.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/job/12.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"Instead, ask the animals, and they will teach you. Ask the birds, and they will tell you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/job/12.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Even birds and animals have much they could teach you; <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/job/12.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"Ask the wild animals, and they'll teach you; the birds of the sky will tell you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/job/12.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />But ask the animals, and they will instruct you; ask the birds of the air, and they will tell you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/job/12.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />"But now, ask the animals and they will teach you, or the birds of the sky and they will tell you. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/job/12.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />"But ask the animals, now, and they shall teach you; the birds of the sky, and they shall tell you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/job/12.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/job/12.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />“But ask the animals now, and they will teach you; the birds of the sky, and they will tell you. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/job/12.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And yet, now ask [one of] the beasts, "" And it shows you, "" And a bird of the heavens, "" And it declares to you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/job/12.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And yet, ask, I pray thee, One of the beasts, and it doth shew thee, And a fowl of the heavens, And it doth declare to thee.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/job/12.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />But ask now the beasts and they shall teach thee; and the birds of the heavens, and they shall announce 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 />But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee: and the birds of the air, and they shall tell thee. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/job/12.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />In truth, ask the mules, and they will teach you, and the birds of the sky, and they will reveal to you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/job/12.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />But now ask the beasts to teach you, the birds of the air to tell you; <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/job/12.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />“But ask the animals, and they will teach you; the birds of the air, and they will tell you;<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/job/12.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach you; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell you;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/job/12.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Or else ask the beast and it will teach you, and the bird of the sky and it will show you<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/job/12.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; And the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/job/12.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />But ask now the beasts, if they may speak to thee; and the birds of the air, if they may declare to thee.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/job/12-7.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=1804" 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">6</span>The tents of robbers are safe, and those who provoke God are secure—those who carry their god in their hands. <span class="reftext">7</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/199.htm" title="199: wə·’ū·lām (Conj) -- But, but indeed. Apparently a variation of 'uwlay; however or on the contrary.">But</a> <a href="/hebrew/7592.htm" title="7592: šə·’al- (V-Qal-Imp-ms) -- To ask, inquire. Or shael; a primitive root; to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand.">ask</a> <a href="/hebrew/4994.htm" title="4994: nā (Interjection) -- I (we) pray, now. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/929.htm" title="929: ḇə·hê·mō·wṯ (N-fp) -- A beast, animal, cattle. From an unused root; properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal.">the animals,</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 they will instruct you;</a> <a href="/hebrew/5775.htm" title="5775: wə·‘ō·wp̄ (Conj-w:: N-msc) -- Flying creatures. From uwph; a bird, often collectively.">ask the birds</a> <a href="/hebrew/8064.htm" title="8064: haš·šā·ma·yim (Art:: N-mp) -- Heaven, sky. Dual of an unused singular shameh; from an unused root meaning to be lofty; the sky.">of the air,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5046.htm" title="5046: wə·yag·geḏ- (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConjImperf.Jus-3ms) -- To be conspicuous. ">and they will tell</a> <a href="/hebrew/lāḵ (Prep:: 2fs) -- ">you.</a> </span><span class="reftext">8</span>Or speak to the earth, and it will teach you; let the fish of the sea inform you.…<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="/matthew/6-26.htm">Matthew 6:26</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?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/12-24.htm">Luke 12:24</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!<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="/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="/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="/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="/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="/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="/matthew/10-29.htm">Matthew 10:29-31</a></span><br />Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. / And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. / So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.<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="/genesis/9-12.htm">Genesis 9:12-17</a></span><br />And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant I am making between Me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: / I have set My rainbow in the clouds, and it will be a sign of the covenant between Me and the earth. / Whenever I form clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/2-18.htm">Hosea 2:18</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.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach you; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell you:</p><p class="hdg">But ask</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/21-29.htm">Job 21:29,30</a></b></br> Have ye not asked them that go by the way? and do ye not know their tokens, … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/6-6.htm">Proverbs 6:6</a></b></br> Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/1-3.htm">Isaiah 1:3</a></b></br> The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib: <i>but</i> Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_kings/21-24.htm">Air</a> <a href="/job/5-23.htm">Animals</a> <a href="/job/5-23.htm">Beasts</a> <a href="/1_kings/21-24.htm">Birds</a> <a href="/job/11-6.htm">Clear</a> <a href="/job/9-20.htm">Declare</a> <a href="/1_kings/21-24.htm">Fowl</a> <a href="/nehemiah/5-18.htm">Fowls</a> <a href="/job/11-8.htm">Heaven</a> <a href="/job/11-8.htm">Heavens</a> <a href="/job/9-19.htm">Question</a> <a href="/job/11-6.htm">Shew</a> <a href="/job/2-12.htm">Sky</a> <a href="/job/8-10.htm">Teach</a> <a href="/job/11-12.htm">Teaching</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/job/28-21.htm">Air</a> <a href="/job/18-3.htm">Animals</a> <a href="/job/18-3.htm">Beasts</a> <a href="/job/28-21.htm">Birds</a> <a href="/job/15-9.htm">Clear</a> <a href="/job/12-8.htm">Declare</a> <a href="/job/28-7.htm">Fowl</a> <a href="/job/28-21.htm">Fowls</a> <a href="/job/16-19.htm">Heaven</a> <a href="/job/14-12.htm">Heavens</a> <a href="/job/21-29.htm">Question</a> <a href="/job/15-17.htm">Shew</a> <a href="/job/22-14.htm">Sky</a> <a href="/job/12-8.htm">Teach</a> <a href="/job/21-22.htm">Teaching</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>But ask the animals, and they will instruct you;</b><br>This phrase suggests that the natural world holds wisdom and knowledge that can teach humanity. In the context of Job, it reflects Job's argument against his friends, emphasizing that even the creatures of the earth understand the sovereignty and wisdom of God, which his friends fail to grasp. The Bible often uses animals to convey lessons or truths, as seen in <a href="/proverbs/6-6.htm">Proverbs 6:6</a>, where the ant is used as an example of diligence. The idea that creation itself can instruct humanity is echoed in <a href="/romans/1-20.htm">Romans 1:20</a>, where Paul states that God's invisible qualities are evident in the world He has made.<p><b>ask the birds of the air, and they will tell you.</b><br>Birds are often used in Scripture to symbolize freedom, provision, and divine care, as seen in <a href="/matthew/6-26.htm">Matthew 6:26</a>, where Jesus points out that the birds do not sow or reap, yet God feeds them. This phrase reinforces the idea that the natural world is a testament to God's order and wisdom. In ancient Near Eastern culture, birds were sometimes seen as messengers or omens, but here they are portrayed as witnesses to God's creation. The use of birds in this context highlights the accessibility of divine wisdom through observation of the natural world, a theme that resonates with the wisdom literature of the Bible, such as in the Psalms and Proverbs.<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/j/job's_friends.htm">Job's Friends</a></b><br>Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, who visit Job to offer comfort but end up engaging in debates about the nature of suffering and divine justice.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_land_of_uz.htm">The Land of Uz</a></b><br>The setting of the Book of Job, traditionally considered to be in the region of Edom or northern Arabia.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/c/creation.htm">Creation</a></b><br>The broader context of <a href="/job/12-7.htm">Job 12:7</a> involves the natural world, which Job references to illustrate the wisdom and sovereignty of God.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_dialogue.htm">The Dialogue</a></b><br>Job 12 is part of a larger dialogue where Job responds to his friends, defending his integrity and questioning their simplistic understanding of God's ways.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_wisdom_in_creation.htm">God's Wisdom in Creation</a></b><br>Nature is a testament to God's wisdom and power. Observing the natural world can lead us to a deeper understanding of God's character and His sovereign control over all things.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/humility_in_learning.htm">Humility in Learning</a></b><br>Job's invitation to learn from animals and birds encourages humility. We should be open to learning from all of God's creation, recognizing that wisdom is not confined to human understanding.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_sovereignty.htm">Trust in God's Sovereignty</a></b><br>Just as God cares for the animals and birds, we can trust in His provision and sovereignty over our lives, even when we face suffering or uncertainty.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_limitations_of_human_wisdom.htm">The Limitations of Human Wisdom</a></b><br>Job's dialogue with his friends highlights the limitations of human wisdom. True understanding comes from acknowledging God's greater perspective.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_creation_in_revelation.htm">The Role of Creation in Revelation</a></b><br>Creation itself is a form of revelation, pointing us to the Creator. We should take time to observe and reflect on the natural world as a means of drawing closer to God.<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 7.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee</span>. Job here begins his review of all creation, to show that God has the absolute direction of it. The order of <p><span class="note_emph">(1)</span> beasts, <p><span class="note_emph">(2)</span> birds, <p><span class="note_emph">(3)</span> fishes, is that of dignity (comp. <a href="/genesis/9-2.htm">Genesis 9:2</a>; <a href="/psalms/8-7.htm">Psalm 8:7, 8</a>). . . . <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/job/12-7.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">But</span><br /><span class="heb">וְֽאוּלָ֗ם</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’ū·lām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_199.htm">Strong's 199: </a> </span><span class="str2">However, on the contrary</span><br /><br /><span class="word">ask</span><br /><span class="heb">שְׁאַל־</span> <span class="translit">(šə·’al-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7592.htm">Strong's 7592: </a> </span><span class="str2">To inquire, to request, to demand</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the animals,</span><br /><span class="heb">בְהֵמ֣וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(ḇə·hê·mō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_929.htm">Strong's 929: </a> </span><span class="str2">A dumb beast, any large quadruped, animal</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and they will instruct 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">ask the birds</span><br /><span class="heb">וְע֥וֹף</span> <span class="translit">(wə·‘ō·wp̄)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5775.htm">Strong's 5775: </a> </span><span class="str2">Flying creatures</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the air,</span><br /><span class="heb">הַ֝שָּׁמַ֗יִם</span> <span class="translit">(haš·šā·ma·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8064.htm">Strong's 8064: </a> </span><span class="str2">Heaven, sky</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and they will tell</span><br /><span class="heb">וְיַגֶּד־</span> <span class="translit">(wə·yag·geḏ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive imperfect Jussive - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5046.htm">Strong's 5046: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be conspicuous</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you.</span><br /><span class="heb">לָֽךְ׃</span> <span class="translit">(lāḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | second person feminine 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/12-7.htm">Job 12:7 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/job/12-7.htm">Job 12:7 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/job/12-7.htm">Job 12:7 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/job/12-7.htm">Job 12:7 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/job/12-7.htm">Job 12:7 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/job/12-7.htm">Job 12:7 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/job/12-7.htm">Job 12:7 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/job/12-7.htm">Job 12:7 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/job/12-7.htm">Job 12:7 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/job/12-7.htm">Job 12:7 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/job/12-7.htm">OT Poetry: Job 12:7 But ask the animals now and they (Jb) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/job/12-6.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Job 12:6"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Job 12:6" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/job/12-8.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Job 12:8"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Job 12:8" /></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>