Job 12:18
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
He looses the bond of kings, and girds their loins with a girdle.
American King James Version (AKJV)
He looses the bond of kings, and girds their loins with a girdle.
American Standard Version (ASV)
He looseth the bond of kings, And he bindeth their loins with a girdle.
Basic English Translation (BBE)
He undoes the chains of kings, and puts his band on them;
Webster's Revision
He looseth the bond of kings, and girdeth their loins with a girdle.
World English Bible
He loosens the bond of kings. He binds their waist with a belt.
English Revised Version (ERV)
He looseth the bond of kings, and bindeth their loins with a girdle.
Definitions for Job 12:18
Clarke's Job 12:18 Bible Commentary
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.
Barnes's Job 12:18 Bible Commentary
He 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.
And girdeth their loins with a girdle - That is, he girds them with a rope or cord, and leads them away as prisoners. The whole series of remarks here refers to the reverses and changes in the conditions of life. The meaning here is, that the bonds of authority which they imposed on others are unbound, and that their own loins are bound with a girdle, not a girdle of royal dignity and ornament, but such a one as they are bound with who are servants, or who travel. "Pict. Bib."
Wesley's Job 12:18 Bible Commentary
12:18 Looseth - He freeth them from that wherewith they bind their subjects to obedience, their power and authority, and that majesty which God stamps upon kings, to keep their people in awe. Girdeth - He reduces them to a mean and servile condition; which is thus expressed, because servants did use to gird up their garments (that after the manner of those parts were loose and long) that they might be fitter for attendance upon their masters: he not only deposes them from their thrones, but brings them into slavery.