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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 12:15 If He holds back the waters, they dry up, and if He releases them, they overwhelm the land.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/job/12-15.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/5/18_Job_12_15.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Job 12:15 - Job Responds to Zophar" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="If He holds back the waters, they dry up, and if He releases them, they overwhelm the land." /><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/12-15.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/12-15.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 15</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="/ad15.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/12-14.htm" title="Job 12:14">◄</a> Job 12:15 <a href="/job/12-16.htm" title="Job 12:16">►</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 />If he holds back the waters, there is drought; if he lets them loose, they devastate the land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/job/12.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />If he holds back the rain, the earth becomes a desert. If he releases the waters, they flood the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/job/12.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />If he withholds the waters, they dry up; if he sends them out, they overwhelm the land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/job/12.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />If He holds back the waters, they dry up, and if He releases them, they overwhelm the land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/job/12.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Behold, he withholdeth the waters, and they dry up: also he sendeth them out, and they overturn the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/job/12.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />If He withholds the waters, they dry up; <i>If</i> He sends them out, they overwhelm the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/job/12.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Behold, He restrains the waters, and they dry up; And He sends them out, and they inundate the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/job/12.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Behold, He restrains the waters, and they dry up; And He sends them out, and they inundate the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/job/12.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Behold, He restrains the waters, and they dry up; And He sends them out, and they inundate the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/job/12.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Behold, He restrains the waters, and they dry up; And He sends them out, and they overturn the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/job/12.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“Behold, He restrains the waters, and they dry up; Again, He sends the waters out, and they overwhelm <i>and</i> devastate the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/job/12.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />When he withholds water, everything dries up, and when he releases it, it destroys the land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/job/12.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />When He withholds the waters, everything dries up, and when He releases them, they destroy the land. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/job/12.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Behold, he withholdeth the waters, and they dry up; Again, he sendeth them out, and they overturn the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/job/12.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />God can hold back the rain or send a flood, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/job/12.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Behold, he withholdeth the waters, and they dry up; again, he sendeth them out, and they overturn the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/job/12.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />When he holds back the waters, there is a drought. When he releases them, they flood the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/job/12.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Drought comes when God withholds rain; floods come when he turns water loose. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/job/12.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />When he withholds water, rivers dry up; when he lets them loose, they'll flood the land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/job/12.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />If He holds back the waters, they dry up, and if He releases them, they overwhelm the land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/job/12.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />If he holds back the waters, then they dry up; if he releases them, they destroy the land. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/job/12.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Look, he withholds the waters, and they dry up. Again, he sends them out, and they overturn the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/job/12.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Behold, he withholdeth the waters, and they dry up: also he sendeth them out, and they overturn the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/job/12.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Behold, he withholds the waters, and they dry up. Again, he sends them out, and they overturn the earth. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/job/12.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Behold, He keeps in the waters, and they are dried up, "" And He sends them forth, "" And they overturn the land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/job/12.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Lo, He keepeth in the waters, and they are dried up, And he sendeth them forth, And they overturn the land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/job/12.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Behold, he will hold back upon the waters, and they will dry up: and he will send them forth and they will overturn the earth.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/job/12.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />If he withhold the waters, all things shall be dried up: and if he send them out, they shall overturn the earth. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/job/12.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />If he restrains the waters, everything will dry up; and if he sends them forth, they will subdue the land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/job/12.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />He holds back the waters and there is drought; he sends them forth and they overwhelm the land. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/job/12.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />If he withholds the waters, they dry up; if he sends them out, they overwhelm the land.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/job/12.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />If he withholds the waters, they dry up; if he releases them they ruin the land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/job/12.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />If he rebukes the waters, they dry up, and if he sends them out, they overturn the land<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/job/12.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Behold, He withholdeth the waters, and they dry up; Also He sendeth them out, and they overturn the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/job/12.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />If he should withhold the water, he will dry the earth: and if he should let it loose, he overthrows and destroys it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/job/12-15.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=1854" 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">14</span>What He tears down cannot be rebuilt; the man He imprisons cannot be released. <span class="reftext">15</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/2005.htm" title="2005: hên (Interjection) -- Lo! behold! A primitive particle; lo!; also if.">If</a> <a href="/hebrew/6113.htm" title="6113: ya‘·ṣōr (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To restrain, retain. A primitive root; to inclose; by analogy, to hold back; also to maintain, rule, assemble.">He holds back</a> <a href="/hebrew/4325.htm" title="4325: bam·ma·yim (Prep-b, Art:: N-mp) -- Waters, water. Dual of a primitive noun; water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen.">the waters,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3001.htm" title="3001: wə·yi·ḇā·šū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjImperf-3mp) -- To be dry, dried up, or withered. A primitive root; to be ashamed, confused or disappointed; also to dry up or wither.">they dry up,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7971.htm" title="7971: wî·šal·lə·ḥêm (Conj-w:: V-Piel-ConjImperf-3ms:: 3mp) -- To send. A primitive root; to send away, for, or out.">and if He releases them,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2015.htm" title="2015: wə·ya·hap̄·ḵū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjImperf-3mp) -- To turn, overturn. A primitive root; to turn about or over; by implication, to change, overturn, return, pervert.">they overwhelm</a> <a href="/hebrew/776.htm" title="776: ’ā·reṣ (N-fs) -- Earth, land. From an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth.">the land.</a> </span><span class="reftext">16</span>True wisdom and power belong to Him. The deceived and the deceiver are His.…<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="/genesis/7-11.htm">Genesis 7:11-12</a></span><br />In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, on the seventeenth day of the second month, all the fountains of the great deep burst forth, and the floodgates of the heavens were opened. / And the rain fell upon the earth for forty days and forty nights.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/14-21.htm">Exodus 14:21-22</a></span><br />Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove back the sea with a strong east wind that turned it into dry land. So the waters were divided, / and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on their right and on their left.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/104-6.htm">Psalm 104:6-9</a></span><br />You covered it with the deep like a garment; the waters stood above the mountains. / At Your rebuke the waters fled; at the sound of Your thunder they hurried away— / the mountains rose and the valleys sank to the place You assigned for them— ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/50-2.htm">Isaiah 50:2</a></span><br />Why was no one there when I arrived? Why did no one answer when I called? Is My hand too short to redeem you? Or do I lack the strength to deliver you? Behold, My rebuke dries up the sea; I turn the rivers into a desert; the fish rot for lack of water and die of thirst.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/44-27.htm">Isaiah 44:27</a></span><br />who says to the depths of the sea, ‘Be dry, and I will dry up your currents,’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/5-22.htm">Jeremiah 5:22</a></span><br />Do you not fear Me?” declares the LORD. “Do you not tremble before Me, the One who set the sand as the boundary for the sea, an enduring barrier it cannot cross? The waves surge, but they cannot prevail. They roar but cannot cross it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/amos/9-6.htm">Amos 9:6</a></span><br />He builds His upper rooms in the heavens and founds His vault upon the earth. He summons the waters of the sea and pours them over the face of the earth. The LORD is His name.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nahum/1-4.htm">Nahum 1:4</a></span><br />He rebukes the sea and dries it up; He makes all the rivers run dry. Bashan and Carmel wither, and the flower of Lebanon wilts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/8-26.htm">Matthew 8:26-27</a></span><br />“You of little faith,” Jesus replied, “why are you so afraid?” Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and it was perfectly calm. / The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the sea obey Him!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/4-39.htm">Mark 4:39-41</a></span><br />Then Jesus got up and rebuked the wind and the sea. “Silence!” He commanded. “Be still!” And the wind died down, and it was perfectly calm. / “Why are you so afraid?” He asked. “Do you still have no faith?” / Overwhelmed with fear, they asked one another, “Who is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/8-24.htm">Luke 8:24-25</a></span><br />The disciples went and woke Him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” Then Jesus got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters, and they subsided, and all was calm. / “Where is your faith?” He asked. Frightened and amazed, they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/2-7.htm">John 2:7-9</a></span><br />Jesus told the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” So they filled them to the brim. / “Now draw some out,” He said, “and take it to the master of the banquet.” They did so, / and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not know where it was from, but the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/4-14.htm">John 4:14</a></span><br />But whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a fount of water springing up to eternal life.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/7-38.htm">John 7:38</a></span><br />Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said: ‘Streams of living water will flow from within him.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/9-7.htm">John 9:7</a></span><br />Then He told him, “Go, wash in the Pool of Siloam” (which means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came back seeing.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Behold, he withholds the waters, and they dry up: also he sends them out, and they overturn the earth.</p><p class="hdg">Behold</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/12-10.htm">Job 12:10</a></b></br> In whose hand <i>is</i> the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/8-1.htm">Genesis 8:1,2</a></b></br> And God remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the cattle that <i>was</i> with him in the ark: and God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters asswaged; … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/8-35.htm">1 Kings 8:35,36</a></b></br> When heaven is shut up, and there is no rain, because they have sinned against thee; if they pray toward this place, and confess thy name, and turn from their sin, when thou afflictest them: … </p><p class="hdg">he sendeth</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/6-13.htm">Genesis 6:13,17</a></b></br> And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/7-11.htm">Genesis 7:11,23</a></b></br> In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/104-7.htm">Psalm 104:7-9</a></b></br> At thy rebuke they fled; at the voice of thy thunder they hasted away… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/judges/6-5.htm">Devastate</a> <a href="/job/6-17.htm">Dried</a> <a href="/judges/6-40.htm">Drought</a> <a href="/job/6-17.htm">Dry</a> <a href="/job/12-8.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/job/11-17.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/job/12-5.htm">Holds</a> <a href="/nehemiah/1-5.htm">Keepeth</a> <a href="/job/9-7.htm">Keeps</a> <a href="/2_kings/10-24.htm">Lets</a> <a href="/haggai/2-22.htm">Overturn</a> <a href="/job/9-5.htm">Overturned</a> <a href="/job/9-18.htm">Overwhelm</a> <a href="/2_thessalonians/2-7.htm">Restrains</a> <a href="/job/5-10.htm">Sends</a> <a href="/job/11-16.htm">Waters</a> <a href="/2_thessalonians/2-6.htm">Withholdeth</a> <a href="/job/6-14.htm">Withholds</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/isaiah/24-1.htm">Devastate</a> <a href="/job/14-11.htm">Dried</a> <a href="/job/24-19.htm">Drought</a> <a href="/job/13-25.htm">Dry</a> <a href="/job/12-24.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/job/14-2.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/job/17-9.htm">Holds</a> <a href="/job/33-18.htm">Keepeth</a> <a href="/job/17-9.htm">Keeps</a> <a href="/proverbs/6-14.htm">Lets</a> <a href="/psalms/69-5.htm">Overturn</a> <a href="/job/28-9.htm">Overturned</a> <a href="/job/15-24.htm">Overwhelm</a> <a href="/job/30-13.htm">Restrains</a> <a href="/job/12-24.htm">Sends</a> <a href="/job/14-11.htm">Waters</a> <a href="/psalms/84-11.htm">Withholdeth</a> <a href="/psalms/84-11.htm">Withholds</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'; 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In biblical context, water often symbolizes chaos and disorder, as seen in <a href="/genesis/1-2.htm">Genesis 1:2</a>, where the Spirit of God hovers over the waters. The ability to hold back waters signifies divine authority over creation, reminiscent of God's control during the parting of the Red Sea (<a href="/exodus/14-21.htm">Exodus 14:21</a>). This act of holding back waters can also be seen as a metaphor for God's restraint of judgment or chaos, aligning with His role as a protector and sustainer.<p><b>they dry up,</b><br>The drying up of waters can symbolize desolation and judgment. In the historical context of the Ancient Near East, water was a precious resource, essential for life and agriculture. The drying up of water sources would lead to drought and famine, seen as a divine judgment or curse, as in the case of Elijah's prophecy of drought in <a href="/1_kings/17.htm">1 Kings 17:1</a>. This phrase underscores the dependence of creation on God's provision and the consequences when He withholds it.<p><b>and if He releases them,</b><br>This part of the verse highlights God's ability to unleash the waters, symbolizing His power to bring about abundance or destruction. The release of waters can be seen in the context of the Flood narrative in <a href="/genesis/7.htm">Genesis 7</a>, where God opens the floodgates of heaven, resulting in a deluge that covers the earth. It serves as a reminder of God's capacity to execute judgment but also to provide, as seen in the blessings of rain for a fruitful harvest.<p><b>they overwhelm the land.</b><br>The overwhelming of the land by waters signifies destruction and chaos, akin to the Flood in Noah's time. This imagery is used throughout Scripture to depict God's judgment, as in <a href="/isaiah/8-7.htm">Isaiah 8:7-8</a>, where the Assyrian invasion is likened to a flood overwhelming the land. It also serves as a type of Christ, who calms the storm in <a href="/mark/4-39.htm">Mark 4:39</a>, demonstrating His authority over the natural world and His role as the one who brings peace and order out of chaos. This phrase ultimately points to the dual nature of God's power to both judge and save.<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. He is known for his dialogues with his friends and his unwavering trust in God despite his circumstances.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The sovereign Creator and Sustainer of the universe, who is in control of all natural and supernatural events. In this verse, God's power over nature is emphasized.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/w/waters.htm">Waters</a></b><br>Symbolic of both life and chaos in the Bible. In the context of <a href="/job/12-15.htm">Job 12:15</a>, waters represent God's control over creation, whether in withholding rain or causing floods.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/l/land.htm">Land</a></b><br>Represents the earth and its inhabitants, who are subject to God's sovereign will and power.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/j/job's_friends.htm">Job's Friends</a></b><br>Although not directly mentioned in this verse, they are part of the larger account. They engage in dialogues with Job, often misunderstanding God's ways and Job's situation.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_over_nature.htm">God's Sovereignty Over Nature</a></b><br>God has absolute control over the natural world. Whether in withholding rain or causing floods, His purposes are always fulfilled.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_timing.htm">Trust in God's Timing</a></b><br>Just as God controls the waters, He controls the timing of events in our lives. We must trust His wisdom and timing, even when we do not understand.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_dual_nature_of_water.htm">The Dual Nature of Water</a></b><br>Water can be both life-giving and destructive. Similarly, God's actions can bring both blessing and judgment, depending on His divine purposes.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/human_limitations.htm">Human Limitations</a></b><br>Humans are limited in their understanding and control. Recognizing God's sovereignty should lead us to humility and dependence on Him.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_faithfulness_in_trials.htm">God's Faithfulness in Trials</a></b><br>Even when overwhelmed by life's "floods," we can trust in God's faithfulness and His ability to bring us through.<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 15.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Behold, he withholdeth the waters, and they dry up</span>. God, at his pleasure, causes great droughts, which are among the worst calamities that can happen. He withholds the blessed rain from heaven (<a href="/deuteronomy/11-17.htm">Deuteronomy 11:17</a>; <a href="/1_kings/8-35.htm">1 Kings 8:35</a>; <a href="/1_kings/17-1.htm">1 Kings 17:1</a>), and the springs shrink, and the rivers dry up, and a fruitful land is turned into a desert, and famine stalks through the land, and men perish by thousands<span class="cmt_word">. Also he sendeth them out, and they overturn the earth</span>; <span class="accented">i.e.</span> he causes floods and inundations. Once upon a time he overwhelmed the whole earth, and destroyed almost the entire race of mankind, by a deluge of an extraordinary character, which so fixed itself in the human consciousness, that traces of it are to be found in the traditions of almost all the various races of men. But, beside this great occasion, he also in ten thousand other cases, causes, by means of floods, tremendous ruin and devastation, sweeping away crops and cattle, and even villages and cities, sometimes even "overturning the earth," causing lakes to burst, rivers to change their course, vast tracts of land to be permanently submerged, and the contour of coasts to be altered. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/job/12-15.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">If</span><br /><span class="heb">הֵ֤ן</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">He holds back</span><br /><span class="heb">יַעְצֹ֣ר</span> <span class="translit">(ya‘·ṣōr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6113.htm">Strong's 6113: </a> </span><span class="str2">To inclose, to hold back, to maintain, rule, assemble</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the waters,</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּמַּ֣יִם</span> <span class="translit">(bam·ma·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4325.htm">Strong's 4325: </a> </span><span class="str2">Water, juice, urine, semen</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they dry up,</span><br /><span class="heb">וְיִבָ֑שׁוּ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·yi·ḇā·šū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3001.htm">Strong's 3001: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be ashamed, confused, disappointed, to dry up, wither</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and if He releases them,</span><br /><span class="heb">וִֽ֝ישַׁלְּחֵ֗ם</span> <span class="translit">(wî·šal·lə·ḥêm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7971.htm">Strong's 7971: </a> </span><span class="str2">To send away, for, out</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they overwhelm</span><br /><span class="heb">וְיַ֖הַפְכוּ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ya·hap̄·ḵū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2015.htm">Strong's 2015: </a> </span><span class="str2">To turn about, over, to change, overturn, return, pervert</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the land.</span><br /><span class="heb">אָֽרֶץ׃</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·reṣ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_776.htm">Strong's 776: </a> </span><span class="str2">Earth, land</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/job/12-15.htm">Job 12:15 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/job/12-15.htm">Job 12:15 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/job/12-15.htm">Job 12:15 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/job/12-15.htm">Job 12:15 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/job/12-15.htm">Job 12:15 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/job/12-15.htm">Job 12:15 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/job/12-15.htm">Job 12:15 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/job/12-15.htm">Job 12:15 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/job/12-15.htm">Job 12:15 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/job/12-15.htm">Job 12:15 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/job/12-15.htm">OT Poetry: Job 12:15 Behold he withholds the waters and they (Jb) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/job/12-14.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Job 12:14"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Job 12:14" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/job/12-16.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Job 12:16"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Job 12:16" /></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>