Job 12:19 — Word Study
WLCמוֹלִ֣יךְ כֹּהֲנִ֣ים שׁוֹלָ֑ל וְאֵֽתָנִ֣ים יְסַלֵּֽף׃
BSAHe leads priestskôhên [causing to go, guiding, spiritual leaders, ministers] barefootshôwlâl [stripped, without glory] and overthrowsçâlaph▸ [perverts, subverts] ◂the establishedʼêythân [strong, mighty, permanent ones]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| מוֹלִ֣יךְ | [he is] leading away | Verb, Hiphil, participle (active) masculine singular |
| כֹּהֲנִ֣ים | priests | Noun common, masculine plural absolute |
| שׁוֹלָ֑ל | barefoot | Adj |
| וְאֵֽתָנִ֣ים | and [people] long established | Conjunction |
| יְסַלֵּֽף׃ | he overturns | Verb, Piel, imperfect third person masculine singular |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | He leads priests away barefoot and overthrows the established. |
| KJV | He leadeth princes away spoiled, and overthroweth the mighty. |
| ASV | He leadeth priests away stripped, And overthroweth the mighty. |
| YLT | Causing ministers to go away a spoil And strong ones He overthroweth. |
| WEB | He leads priests away stripped, and overthrows the mighty. |
| BBE | He makes priests prisoners, overturning those in safe positions; |
Where they part company is שׁוֹלָ֑ל — see How Translations Differ.
Two main clauses connected by 'and', with the first clause emphasizing the disgrace of the priests and the second the overthrow of the established.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbהלך
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 12:19
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 Powergenerated
Job 12:19 is part of Job's response to his friends, where he emphasizes God's ultimate authority over human affairs. In this passage, Job illustrates how God can lead even the most respected leaders, like priests, into disgrace and can overturn those who seem firmly established. This reflects Job's understanding of divine justice and power, contrasting human perceptions of strength and stability.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joshua 10:24–42 | When they had brought the kings to Joshua, he summoned all the men of Israel and said to the army commanders who had accompanied him, “Come here and put your feet on the necks of these kings.” So the commanders came forward and put their feet on their necks. |
| 2 | 1 Samuel 17:45–46 | But David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD of Hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. |
| 3 | Isaiah 37:36–38 | Then the angel of the LORD went out and struck down 185,000 men in the camp of the Assyrians. When the people got up the next morning, there were all the dead bodies! |
| 4 | Isaiah 45:1 | This is what the LORD says to Cyrus His anointed, whose right hand I have grasped to subdue nations before him, to disarm kings, to open the doors before him, so that the gates will not be shut: |
| 5 | Revelation 17:14 | They will make war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will triumph over them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and He will be accompanied by His called and chosen and faithful ones.” |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 6 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — יְסַלֵּף, ye.sa.Lefgenerated
The verb סָלַף (salaf) means to twist or pervert. It is a Piel imperfect form, indicating an ongoing action of overturning or corrupting. In this context, it conveys the idea of God actively subverting those who are established in power.
This verb carries implications of moral corruption and the overturning of justice. It suggests not just a physical overthrow, but a deep moral and ethical twisting of what is right and established.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against. The BSB uses overthrows for יְסַלֵּף, which is consistent with the KJV and ASV.
Where others part company is over שׁוֹלָ֑ל — barefoot (BSB, MSB, ULB) contrasts with stripped (ASV, FBV, NETB, WEB) and without glory (DRA).
Sentence Structuregenerated
The structure consists of two main clauses: the first describes God leading priests away, and the second states that He overturns the established. The verb מוֹלִ֣יךְ (mo.Likh) governs the first clause, while יְסַלֵּף (ye.sa.Lef) is the finite verb in the second.
This construction emphasizes God's active role in both leading and overturning, showcasing the stark contrast between the priests' disgrace and the established powers' downfall.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, מוֹלִ֣יךְ is rendered as ἐχαποστέλλων, which emphasizes the act of sending away or leading off, suggesting a forceful removal. This choice reflects a strong interpretation of God's authority in leading priests into disgrace.
The term for יְסַלֵּף is translated as κατέστρεψεν, indicating a complete destruction or subversion, aligning with the Hebrew's meaning of perversion and overturning.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Job 12:19 shows how God can lead priests away in disgrace and overturn those who are established in power. This reflects Job's view of God's authority over human leaders and the moral order.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It signifies a loss of dignity and honor, as being barefoot often implies captivity or disgrace.
God can disrupt the power structures and authority figures that humans consider strong, demonstrating His ultimate sovereignty.
Priests represent spiritual authority and leadership; their downfall illustrates that no one is beyond God's judgment.
It emphasizes Job's belief in God's control over justice and the fate of both the righteous and the wicked.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways have I seen authority figures in my life challenged or overturned?
- How can I better understand the concept of divine justice as portrayed in Job?
- What does it mean for me to recognize God's sovereignty in the face of established powers?
- How might this verse encourage me when I see injustice in the world?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
The early Church Father Gregory the Dialogist comments on this verse to highlight the significance of the priest's righteousness and the consequences of their failure.
He leadeth the priests inglorious, and overthroweth the mighty. The great glory of the priest is the righteousness of those that are subject to him.Early Church Fathers on Job 12 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Job 12:19 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleHe leadeth princes away spoiled,.... Of their principalities and dominions, of their wealth and riches, and of their honour and glory; or "priests" (u), as some choose to render the word, against
Read John Gill on Job 12 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryHe leadeth princes away spoiled, and overthroweth the mighty. Princes - rather, priests, as the Hebrew is rendered, Psalms 99:6 (Umbreit). Even the sacred ministers of religion are not exempt from reverses and captivity.
Read Robert Jamieson on Job 12 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BiblePrinces; so this word, which usually signifies priests, is oft used, as 47:22,26 Exodus 2:16 , compared with .
Read Matthew Poole on Job 12 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsJob 12:19 He leadeth princes away spoiled, and overthroweth the mighty.Ver. 19. He leadeth away princes spoiled] Or priests. Ducit sacerdotes inglorios, so the Vulgate translateth, He leadeth away the priests without glory, dishonoured. Priests were generally much esteemed and privileged in all ages. Alexander the Great gave greatest respect to Jaddus, the Jewish high priest. When the Gauls had burnt Rome, and were besieging the capitol, Gaius Fabius Dorso, attired as a priest, with his sacrifice and other necessaries in his hand, marched through the midst of the enemies, astonished at his resolution, offered his sacrifice on the hill Quirinalis, and returned in safety. The Bardi, a kind of…
Read John Trapp on Job 12 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(19) He leadeth princes.—Some understand priests rather than princes. The word appears to be used in both senses; here the parallelism seems to suit princes better. The latter part of this chapter seems to re-echo the sentiments of Eliphaz in Job 5:11-16; but, instead of giving them the optimist direction he had sketched, he confesses that his own position is rather one of blank despair. Eliphaz is quite sure he possesses the key to the interpretation of the ways of Providence. Job ever fears that his ignorance is so profound as to amount almost to sheer hopelessness, Job is thus the type of a man who has felt the hollowness and unreality of traditional orthodox), and is feeling his way in…
Read Charles John Ellicott on Job 12 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 19. He leadeth princes away spoiled, and overthroweth the mighty.] What multitudes of proofs of this does the history of the world present! Even the late disastrous war with the French republic and empire, which began in 1793, and continued without intermission till 1814, was afterwards renewed, and had a catastrophe that went nearly to ruin Europe. How many princes, or rather priests, כהנים cohanim, have been spoiled of their power, influence, and authority; and how many mighty men - captains, generals, admirals, c., have been overthrown! But supposing that the writer of the Book of Job lived, as some think, after the captivity, how many priests were led away spoiled, both from…
Read AdamClarke on Job 12 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges19. leadeth princes away spoiled] Rather, priests. In antiquity priests occupied influential places; cf. what is said of Melchizedek, Genesis 14, of Jethro, priest of Midian, Exodus 2:16 seq., and of the influence of the priests in several crises of the history of Israel. On “spoiled’ see Job 12:17. the mighty] lit. the established or perennial; being in apposition with priests, usually a hereditary caste, the word describes those who occupied high permanent place among men.
Read Cambridge on Job 12 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleHe leadeth princes away spoiled - That is, plundered. The word here rendered “princes” כהנים kôhênı̂ym means properly priests, and it is usually so rendered in the Scriptures.
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 leads priests away barefoot and overthrows the established.
He leads priests away stripped, and overthrows the mighty.
He leads priests away barefoot and overthrows the established.
He leads priests away stripped and overthrows the potentates.
Tyndale line
He leadeth princes away spoiled, and overthroweth the mighty.
He leadeth priests away stripped, And overthroweth the mighty.
He leadeth priests away spoiled, and overthroweth the mighty.
He leadeth princes away spoiled, and overthroweth the mighty.
He leadeth away the princes as a pray, and ouerthroweth the mightie.
Strictly literal
He leadeth priests away spoiled, and overthroweth the mighty;
Causing ministers to go away a spoil And strong ones He overthroweth.
Causing ministers to go away [as] a spoil || And strong ones He overthrows.
He leadeth priests away bereft of sense, and the powerful he causeth to walk on crooked paths.
He leads priests away barefoot in sorrow and overthrows mighty people.
From the Latin
He leadeth away priests without glory, and overthroweth nobles.
Simplified
He leads priests away stripped of their religious garments, he overthrows the powerful.
He makes priests prisoners, overturning those in safe positions;
Word by word, the decisions they made
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 and the Septuagint agree in the wording of Job 12:19, with all five words matched in their respective translations. This consistency indicates a shared understanding of the text's meaning across these traditions.
מוֹלִ֣יךְ כֹּהֲנִ֣ים שׁוֹלָ֑ל וְאֵֽתָנִ֣ים יְסַלֵּֽף׃
5 of the 5 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 12:19
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.
הָלַךְ (halak) means 'to go,' 'come,' or 'walk,' and covers a wide range of literal and figurative uses, including aspects of life and death. It can describe physical movement, moral conduct, and even influence on character. The verb appears in various forms, such as Qal, Piel, and Hithpael, indicating different nuances like leading or traversing.
הָלַךְ 1546 vb. go, come, walk
Qal Impf. usually (629 t.) as if from ילך
lit.
of persons
Also of animals, in similar meanings and combinations
in like manner of inanimate things
The inf. abs. is often used
as in other vbs., quite independently
to intensify meaning of finite form
most noteworthy is the joining of the Inf. abs.
with a following Inf. abs. denoting a simutaneous action or process, and so emphasizing duration or continuance
with a foll. vb. fin. c. ו consec. (rare)
in cases where vb. fin. is foll. by Inf. abs. adj. denoting progress, advance
twice, where vb. fin. is not הלך, but another vb. denoting motion
quite by itself
13 t. the Inf. abs. = Imv. & is followed by Pf. consec.
akin to the use of Inf. abs. are some instances of Pt.
In combination with other verbal forms
Fig.; the most common uses follow; in most the origin in a literal meaning is evident:
pass away, die
H1980 הָלַךְ go, come, walk .Impf. usually (629 t.) as if from ילך . lit. . of persons
. Also of animals, in similar meanings and combinations
. in like manner of inanimate things
. The inf. abs. is often used . as in other vbs., quite independently
. to intensify meaning of finite form
. most noteworthy is the joining of the Inf. abs. . with a following Inf. abs. denoting a simutaneous action or process, and so emphasizing duration or continuance
. with a foll. vb. fin. c. ו consec. (rare)
. in cases where vb. fin. is foll. by Inf. abs. + adj. denoting progress, advance
. twice, where vb. fin. is not הלך, but another vb. denoting motion
. quite by itself
. 13 t. the Inf. abs. = Imv. & is followed by Pf. consec.
. akin to the use of Inf. abs. are some instances of Pt.
. In combination with other verbal forms
1980 halak haw-lak'
akin to 3212; a primitive root; to walk (in a great variety
of applications, literally and figuratively):--(all) along,
apace, behave (self), come, (on) continually, be conversant,
depart, + be eased, enter, exercise (self), + follow, forth,
forward, get, go (about, abroad, along, away, forward, on,
out, up and down), + greater, grow, be wont to haunt, lead,
march, X more and more, move (self), needs, on, pass (away),
be at the point, quite, run (along), + send, speedily, spread,
still, surely, + tale-bearer, + travel(-ler), walk (abroad,
on, to and fro, up and down, to places), wander, wax,
(way-)faring man, X be weak, whirl.
see HEBREW for 03212
הָלַךְ (ha.lakh) — to go: went.
: went/go[away]
1) to go, walk, come
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to go, walk, come, depart, proceed, move, go away
1a2) to die, live, manner of life (fig.)
1b) (Piel)
1b1) to walk
1b2) to walk (fig.)
1c) (Hithpael)
1c1) to traverse
1c2) to walk about
1d) (Niphal) to lead, bring, lead away, carry, cause to walk
הָלַךְ (ha.lakh) — to go: come.
: come[nearer]
1) to go, walk, come
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to go, walk, come, depart, proceed, move, go away
1a2) to die, live, manner of life (fig.)
1b) (Piel)
1b1) to walk
1b2) to walk (fig.)
1c) (Hithpael)
1c1) to traverse
1c2) to walk about
1d) (Niphal) to lead, bring, lead away, carry, cause to walk
הָלַךְ (ha.lakh) — to go: walk.
: walk/move
1) to go, walk, come
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to go, walk, come, depart, proceed, move, go away
1a2) to die, live, manner of life (fig.)
1b) (Piel)
1b1) to walk
1b2) to walk (fig.)
1c) (Hithpael)
1c1) to traverse
HVhrmsa — Verb · Hiphil · participle (active) masculine singularHVhrmsa
כֹּהֵן (kohen) means 'priest' and is derived from the active participle of a related root. It encompasses various types of priests, including Levitical, Aaronic, and even pagan priests, as well as chief rulers or principal officers. The term is used in contexts referring to both Jewish and non-Jewish priestly roles.
כֹּהֵן 750 n.m. priest
base
H3548 כֹּהֵן priest
3548 kohen ko-hane'
active participle of 3547; literally, one officiating, a
priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a
layman):--chief ruler, X own, priest, prince, principal
officer.
see HEBREW for 03547
כֹּהֵן (ko.hen) — priest.
1) priest, principal officer or chief ruler
1a) priest-king (Melchizedek, Messiah)
1b) pagan priests
1c) priests of Jehovah
1d) Levitical priests
1e) Zadokite priests
1f) Aaronic priests
1g) the high priest
Aramaic equivalent: ka.hen (כָּהֵן "priest" H3549)
N-mp — Noun common · masculine plural absoluteHNcmpa
שׁוֹלָל (sho.lal) primarily means 'barefoot' and can also imply being 'captive' or 'spoiled.' It is derived from the root word meaning 'nude' or 'stripped.' The word appears in Micah 1:8, where it is noted in the context of being barefoot.
שׁוֹלָל adj.indecl. barefoot;—Mi 1:8 Qr
ref
H7758 שׁוֹלָל, שֵׁילָל
7758 showlal sho-lawl'
or sheylal (Micah 1:8) {shay-lawl'}; from 7997; nude
(especially bare-foot); by implication, captive:--spoiled,
stripped.
see HEBREW for 07997
שׁוֹלָל (sho.lal) — barefoot.
barefoot
Adj — AdjHAamsa
bar'-foot.
1. Introductory:
The word is found in the following passages: English Versions of the Bible, "He went barefoot" (2Sa 15:30); "(Isaiah) did so, walking .... barefoot" (Isa 20:2); and like the Egyptians, "naked and barefoot" (Isa 20:3,4). It seems that David in his flight before Absalom "went barefoot," not to facilitate his flight, but to show his grief (2Sa 15:30), and that Micah (Mi 1:8) makes "going barefoot" a sign of mourning (Septuagint: "to be barefoot"; the King James Version "stripped"). The nakedness and bare feet of the prophet Isaiah (20:2) may have been intended to symbolize and express sympathy for the forlorn condition of captives (compare
Barefoot
To go barefoot was a sign of great distress (Isa. 20:2, 3, 4), or of some great calamity having fallen on a person (2 Sam. 15:30).
אֵיתָן (eythan) refers to qualities of strength and permanence. It can describe something that is perpetual or ever-flowing, like a stream, and is used figuratively to denote enduring stability. The term can also refer to a chieftain, emphasizing might and strength.
אֵיתָן, אֵתָן adj. perennial, ever-flowing, fig. permanent, as subst, steady flow, permanence
base
H386 אֵיתָן, אֵתָן perennial, ever-flowing, fig. permanent, as subst, steady flow, permanence
386 'eythan ay-thawn'
or (shortened) ethan {ay-thawn'}; from an unused root
(meaning to continue); permanence; hence (concrete) permanent;
specifically a chieftain:--hard, mighty, rough, strength,
strong.
אֵיתָן (e.tan) — strong.
1) perpetual, constant, perennial, ever-flowing
1a) ever-flowing (of a stream)
1b) permanence, permanent, enduring (fig.)
Conj | Adj — ConjunctionHC/Aampa
סָלַף (salaf) is a Hebrew verb meaning to twist or pervert. It conveys the idea of overturning or ruining something, often in a figurative sense. The entries indicate that it can refer to subverting or distorting, particularly in contexts like bribery. There are no significant disagreements among the lexicons regarding its meaning.
סָלַף vb. twist, pervert, overturn
Pi.
pervert
subvert, turn upside down, ruin
base
H5557 סָלַף twist, pervert, overturn . . pervert
. subvert, turn upside down, ruin
5557 calaph saw-laf'
a primitive root; properly, to wrench, i.e. (figuratively) to
subvert:--overthrow, pervert.
סָלַף (sa.laph) — to pervert.
1) to twist, pervert, distort, overturn, ruin
1a) (Piel)
1a1) to pervert (of bribery)
1a2) to subvert, turn upside down, ruin
V-Piel-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Piel · imperfect third person masculine singularHVpi3ms