Job 12:18 — Word Study
WLCמוּסַ֣ר מְלָכִ֣ים פִּתֵּ֑חַ וַיֶּאְסֹ֥ר אֵ֝ז֗וֹר בְּמָתְנֵיהֶֽם׃
BSAHe loosenspâthach■ [removes, undoes] the bondsmûwçâr [chains of office, discipline] placed by kingsmelek [rulers, monarchs] and fastensʼâçar▸ [binds, girds] a beltʼêzôwr [girdle, loincloth] around their waistsmôthen [loins, hips]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| מוּסַ֣ר | [the] correction of | Noun common, masculine singular construct |
| מְלָכִ֣ים | kings | Noun common, masculine plural absolute |
| פִּתֵּ֑חַ | he loosens | Verb, Piel, perfect third person masculine singular |
| וַיֶּאְסֹ֥ר | and he bound | Verb, Qal, sequential imperfect third person masculine singular |
| אֵ֝ז֗וֹר | a loincloth | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| בְּמָתְנֵיהֶֽם׃ | on loins their | Preposition, noun common masculine dual construct, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | He loosens the bonds placed by kings and fastens a belt around their waists. |
| KJV | He looseth the bond of kings, and girdeth their loins with a girdle. |
| ASV | He looseth the bond of kings, And he bindeth their loins with a girdle. |
| YLT | The bands of kings He hath opened, And He bindeth a girdle on their loins. |
| WEB | He loosens the bond of kings. He binds their waist with a belt. |
| BBE | He undoes the chains of kings, and puts his band on them; |
The translations agree on the essential meanings of the verbs but differ slightly in their choice of words for מוּסָר.
The sentence consists of a main clause followed by a subordinate action, clearly delineating God's actions.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbפָּתַח
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Job 12:18
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — Job's Reflection on God's Sovereigntygenerated
Job 12:18 illustrates Job's understanding of God's ability to alter the status of kings and their authority. This verse is part of a larger discourse where Job emphasizes God's ultimate control over human affairs, contrasting the wisdom of God with the folly of mankind. The surrounding verses, such as Job 12:17 and Job 12:19, further elaborate on this theme of divine authority and the futility of human power.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 Chronicles 33:11–14 | So the LORD brought against them the military commanders of the king of Assyria, who captured Manasseh, put a hook in his nose, bound him with bronze shackles, and took him to Babylon. |
| 2 | Jeremiah 52:31–34 | On the twenty-fifth day of the twelfth month of the thirty-seventh year of the exile of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the first year of the reign of Evil-merodach king of Babylon, he pardoned Jehoiachin king of Judah and released him from prison. |
| 3 | Daniel 2:21 | He changes the times and seasons; He removes kings and establishes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. |
| 4 | Revelation 19:16 | And He has a name written on His robe and on His thigh: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 4 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — מוּסָר, mu.Sargenerated
The Hebrew word מוּסָר (mūsar) refers to discipline or correction, often associated with moral guidance. It emphasizes the importance of learning from mistakes and can imply restraint or bonds, particularly in a moral context.
In this verse, it highlights the authority that God has to remove the bonds of discipline placed by kings, suggesting that even the highest earthly powers are subject to God's will.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses loosens for the Hebrew word פִּתֵּ֑חַ and fastens for וַיֶּאְסֹ֥ר, aligning with the KJV and ASV.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The verse is structured around two finite verbs: פִּתֵּ֑חַ (he loosens) and וַיֶּאְסֹ֥ר (and he bound), which govern the actions described. The first verb introduces the action of loosening bonds, while the second verb describes binding a girdle.
The syntax emphasizes the contrast between the loosening of restraints and the imposition of a new order, highlighting God's authority over human rulers.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates מוּסָר as καθιζάνων, which conveys a sense of seating or establishing authority. This choice suggests a broader interpretation of God's role in establishing or removing authority, rather than merely correcting.
The use of περιέδησεν for וַיֶּאְסֹ֥ר implies a binding that carries a sense of control, reinforcing the idea of God’s sovereignty over kings.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Job 12:18 shows that God has the power to loosen the bonds that kings impose and to fasten a belt around them. This illustrates God's authority over earthly rulers and their power.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It signifies God's authority to remove restrictions or controls that earthly rulers impose, demonstrating His ultimate power over human authority.
This verse illustrates that God is sovereign over all creation, including kings and their decisions, emphasizing that no human power can stand against His will.
The belt symbolizes strength and readiness, indicating that God not only removes authority but also equips for new roles or responsibilities.
It connects with the surrounding verses by illustrating God's control over human affairs, as Job reflects on the foolishness of human wisdom compared to divine wisdom.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways have I seen God's authority over leaders and rulers in my life?
- How can I recognize and submit to God's sovereignty over my own life decisions?
- What does it mean for me to be 'girded' by God's strength and guidance?
- How can I learn from the discipline that God provides, as mentioned in this verse?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early Church Fathers reflect on Job's insights about God's authority over priests and kings, arguing from this verse.
These words must not refer to the sons of Aaron, who did not live anymore at that time, but to priests such as Job himself and Melchizedek.Early Church Fathers on Job 12 →
He looseth the belt of kings, and girdeth their reins with a cord. They that know how to regulate aright the motions of their members,Early Church Fathers on Job 12 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Job 12:18 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleHe looseth the bonds of kings,.... Not with which they themselves may be bound, being taken prisoners, or being so before made kings, and brought from thence to reign, as in Ecclesiastes 4:14; but
Read John Gill on Job 12 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryHe looseth the bond of kings, and girdeth their loins with a girdle.
Read Robert Jamieson on Job 12 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleHe looseth the bond of kings; either, 1. Passively, whereby they are bound. He freeth them from prison or restraint. Or rather, 2. Actively, that wherewith they bind their subjects to obedience, to wit, their power and authority, and that majesty which God stamps upon kings to keep their people in awe; all which God can, and oft doth, take away from them, and freeth the people from their bonds, when it pleaseth him; of which all histories give instances. See . With a girdle; either, 1. With a girdle of dignity and glory, which was put upon the loins of men in great honour and authority, as 22:21 ,2. So this member of the verse is opposite to the; former, and the sense of the whole is, he…
Read Matthew Poole on Job 12 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsJob 12:18 He looseth the bond of kings, and girdeth their loins with a girdle.Ver. 18. He looseth the bonds of kings] He degradeth them, taking away all command and authority from them, which is the bond that bindeth the people to obedience and subjection, Job 30:11 Isaiah 45:1; Isaiah 45:5; as our Henry III, who was called Regni dilapidator, unloved by his people, and far a less king, saith Daniel, by striving to be more than he was; the just reward of violations. And girdeth their loins with a girdle] With a rope, say the Vulgate; he brings them from the throne to the prison (Val. Max. Christ.); he layeth affliction upon their loins, as Psalms 66:11. An instance hereof (beside the late…
Read John Trapp on Job 12 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(18) He looseth the bond of kings.—He looseth the confederacy of kings, by which they bind themselves together, and girdeth them to fight against each other. Some understand it of the girdle of servitude in contrast to the girdle of state.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Job 12 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 18. He looseth the bond of kings] He takes away their splendid robes, and clothes them with sackcloth; or, he dissolves their authority, permits their subjects to rebel and overthrow the state, to bind them as captives, and despoil them of all power, authority, and liberty. Many proofs of this occur in the Israelitish history and in the history of the principal nations of the earth, and not a few in the history of Britain.
Read AdamClarke on Job 12 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges18. he looseth the bond of kings] The verse probably means, he relaxes, removes the authority of kings, destroys their bond or power over men; and as a consequence their own loins are girt with a girdle, i. e. either the common girdle of the labourer, or the cord of the captive.
Read Cambridge on Job 12 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleHe looseth the bond of kings - The bond of kings (מוּסר mûsâr) here means that by which they bind others. Their power over others he loosens or takes away.
Read Albert Barnes on Job 12 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
He loosens the bonds placed by kings and fastens a belt around their waists.
He loosens the bond of kings. He binds their waist with a belt.
He loosens the bonds placed by kings and fastens a belt around their waists.
He loosens the bonds of kings and binds a loincloth around their waist.
Tyndale line
He looseth the bond of kings, and girdeth their loins with a girdle.
He looseth the bond of kings, And he bindeth their loins with a girdle.
He looseth the bond of kings, and bindeth their loins with a girdle.
He looseth the bond of kings, and girdeth their loins with a girdle.
He looseth the collar of Kings, and girdeth their loynes with a girdle.
Strictly literal
He weakeneth the government of kings, and bindeth their loins with a fetter;
The bands of kings He hath opened, And He bindeth a girdle on their loins.
He has opened the bands of kings, || And He binds a girdle on their loins.
He looseth the bond of kings, and bindeth a girdle around their loins.
He takes off the chain of authority from kings; he wraps a cloth about their waists.
From the Latin
He looseth the belt of kings, and girdeth their loins with a cord.
Simplified
He removes the chains of office from kings and makes them wear loincloths.
He undoes the chains of kings, and puts his band on them;
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text reads: מוּסַ֣ר מְלָכִ֣ים פִּתֵּ֑חַ וַיֶּאְסֹ֥ר אֵ֝ז֗וֹר בְּמָתְנֵיהֶֽם׃. The Septuagint matches five of the six words, indicating a strong agreement between the two texts, with only the word order differing.
מוּסַ֣ר מְלָכִ֣ים פִּתֵּ֑חַ וַיֶּאְסֹ֥ר אֵ֝ז֗וֹר בְּמָתְנֵיהֶֽם׃
5 of the 6 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Job 12:18
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
מוּסָר (mūsar) refers to discipline, chastening, and correction, particularly of a moral nature. It encompasses concepts like reproof, warning, and instruction, and can also imply restraint or bonds. The entries consistently highlight its focus on moral and instructional aspects, with no significant disagreement among the lexicons.
מוּסָר n.m. discipline (of the moral nature), chastening, correction
base
H4148 מוּסָר discipline (of the moral nature), chastening, correction
4148 muwcar moo-sawr'
from 3256; properly, chastisement; figuratively, reproof,
warning or instruction; also restraint:--bond, chastening
((-eth)), chastisement, check, correction, discipline,
doctrine, instruction, rebuke.
see HEBREW for 03256
מוּסָר (mu.sar) — discipline.
: discipline/punishment
1) discipline, chastening, correction
1a) discipline, correction
1b) chastening
מוּסָר (mu.sar) — discipline: instruction.
: instruction
1) discipline, chastening, correction
1a) discipline, correction
1b) chastening
מוּסָר (mu.sar) — discipline: bonds.
: bonds/noose
1) discipline, chastening, correction
1a) discipline, correction
1b) chastening
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular constructHNcmsc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
The Hebrew word מֶ֫לֶךְ (*melek*) means 'king.' It is derived from a root that suggests royalty. The term appears in various contexts, including references to specific kings and locations, such as the 'King's Highway' in Numbers 20:17 and the 'King's Valley' in Genesis 14:17. The lexicons note its Aramaic equivalent and mention its use in the context of individuals like Hammelech in Jeremiah.
מֶ֫לֶךְ 2513 n.m. king
base
H4428 מֶ֫לֶךְ king
4428 melek meh'-lek
from 4427; a king:--king, royal.
see HEBREW for 04427
מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — king.
1) king
Aramaic equivalent: me.lekh (מֶ֫לֶךְ "king" H4430)
הַמֶּלֶךְ (me.lekh) — `the king`.
'the king' or a name, Hammelech in KJV of Jer.36.26; 38.6- a man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at Jer.36.26;
father of: Jerahmeel (H3396I) and Malchijah (H4441H); also translated "the king";
§ A man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at Jer.36.26;
father of: Jerahmeel (H3396I) and Malchijah (H4441H); also translated "the king";
מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — King's.
King's (Highway) (Num.20.17)
מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — King's.
Another name of she.lach (שֶׁ֫לַח "Shelah" H7975A)
מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — Milcom.
Another name of mo.lekh (מֹ֫לֶךְ "Molech" H4432)
מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — King's.
King's (Valley) (Gen.14.17)
N-mp — Noun common · masculine plural absoluteHNcmpa
of Judah and Israel. For the list see table at the end of this volume.
פָּתַח (pathach) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to open' and can refer to various actions such as opening doors, loosening restraints, or engraving. It has different forms, including Qal (to open), Niphal (to be opened), and Piel (to engrave). The entries highlight its literal and figurative uses, but there is some overlap in meaning regarding its applications in opening and engraving.
פָּתַח vb. open
Qal open sack
Niph. be opened
Pi. be opened
free, i.e. ungird, camels
loosen (and remove) sack-cloth
open gates, doors
Hithp. loosen thee the fetters of thy neck
base
[פָּתַח] vb. Pi. engrave
Pu. stones engraved with the engravings of a signet.
base
H6605a פָּתַח open .open sack
. be opened
. be opened . free, i.e. ungird, camels
. loosen (and remove) sack-cloth
. open gates, doors
. loosen thee the fetters of thy neck
H6605b פָּתַח Pi. engrave
6605 pathach paw-thakh'
a primitive root; to open wide (literally or figuratively);
specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve:--appear, break
forth, draw (out), let go free, (en-)grave(-n), loose (self),
(be, be set) open(-ing), put off, ungird, unstop, have vent.
פָּתַח (pa.tach) — to open.
1) to open
1a) (Qal) to open
1b) (Niphal) to be opened, be let loose, be thrown open
1c) (Piel)
1c1) to free
1c2) to loosen
1c3) to open, open oneself
1d) (Hithpael) to loose oneself
Aramaic equivalent: pe.tach (פְּתַח "to open" H6606)
פָּתַח (pa.tach) — to engrave.
1) to carve, engrave
1a) (Piel) to engrave
1b) (Pual) to be engraved
V-Piel-Perf-3ms — Verb · Piel · perfect third person masculine singularHVpp3ms
אָסַר (asar) is a Hebrew verb meaning to tie or bind, with a range of applications including imprisonment and the figurative sense of obligation, such as oaths. It can also refer to preparing for battle or being taken prisoner. The entries indicate that it can be used in various forms, including Qal, Niphal, and Pual, each with slightly different nuances.
[אָסַר] vb. tie, bind, imprison
Qal
tie, bind, for security
tie, harness
bind, with cords
gird (rare & late)
begin the battle, make the attack
fig. of obligation of oath or vow
Niph. be bound, imprisoned
Pu. be taken prisoner
base
H631 [אָסַר] tie, bind, imprison .. tie, bind, for security
. tie, harness
. bind, with cords
. gird (rare & late)
. begin the battle, make the attack
. fig. of obligation of oath or vow
. be bound, imprisoned
. be taken prisoner
631 'acar aw-sar'
a primitive root; to yoke or hitch; by analogy, to fasten in
any sense, to join battle:--bind, fast, gird, harness, hold,
keep, make ready, order, prepare, prison(-er), put in bonds,
set in array, tie.
אָסַר (a.sar) — to bind.
1) to tie, bind, imprison
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to tie, bind
1a2) to tie, harness
1a3) to bind (with cords)
1a4) to gird (rare and late)
1a5) to begin the battle, make the attack
1a6) of obligation of oath (figurative)
1b) (Niphal) to be imprisoned, bound
1c) (Pual) to be taken prisoner
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singularHc/Vqw3ms
See BIND.
אֵזוֹר (ezowr) refers to a waistcloth or girdle, an article of clothing that is tied around the waist. It can symbolize God's power over kings and faithfulness in a metaphorical sense. The word is derived from a root meaning 'to gird' and covers both literal and figurative uses.
אֵזוֹר n.m. waistcloth
base
H232 אֵזוֹר waistcloth
232 'ezowr ay-zore'
from 246; something girt; a belt, also a band:--girdle.
see HEBREW for 0246
אֵזוֹר (e.zor) — girdle.
1) waist-cloth, the innermost piece of clothing
1a) of God's power over kings (fig.)
1b) of faithfulness (metaph)
2) waistband
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
מַתְנַ֫יִם (matanim) refers to the loins or hips, derived from a root meaning to be slender. It appears in the plural form and is associated with the term for a greyhound in Proverbs 30:31. The word captures the anatomical region of the waist or small of the back.
מַתְנַ֫יִם n.m.du. loins
base
H4975 מַתְנַ֫יִם loins
4975 mothen mo'-then
from an unused root meaning to be slender; properly, the
waist or small of the back; only in plural the loins:--+
greyhound, loins, side.
מׇתְנַ֫יִם (mo.ten) — loin.
1) loins, hips
1a) used with zar.zir (זַרְזִיר "greyhound" H2223) in Pr 30:31; perhaps an extinct animal, exact meaning unknown
Prep | N-md | Suff — Preposition · noun common masculine dual construct · suffixHR/Ncmdc/Sp3mp