Job 12:20
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
He removes away the speech of the trusty, and takes away the understanding of the aged.
American King James Version (AKJV)
He removes away the speech of the trusty, and takes away the understanding of the aged.
American Standard Version (ASV)
He removeth the speech of the trusty, And taketh away the understanding of the elders.
Basic English Translation (BBE)
He makes the words of responsible persons without effect, and takes away the good sense of the old;
Webster's Revision
He removeth away the speech of the trusty, and taketh away the understanding of the aged.
World English Bible
He removes the speech of those who are trusted, and takes away the understanding of the elders.
English Revised Version (ERV)
He removeth the speech of the trusty, and taketh away the understanding of the elders.
Clarke's Job 12:20 Bible Commentary
He removeth away the speech of the trusty - The faithful counsellor and the eloquent orator avail nothing: Quos Deus vult perdere, prius dementat; "God infatuates those whom he is determined to destroy." The writer might have had his eyes on Isaiah 3:1-3, which the reader will do well to consult.
The understanding of the aged - זקנים zekenim signifies the same here as our word elders or elder-men; which includes in itself the two ideas of seniority, or considerably advanced age, and official authority. These can do no more to save a state which God designs to destroy, notwithstanding their great political wisdom and knowledge, than the child who can neither reason nor speak.
Barnes's Job 12:20 Bible Commentary
He removeth away the speech of the trusty - Margin, "lip of the faithful." "He takes away the lip," that is, he takes away the power of giving safe counsel or good advice. The "trusty" or "faithful" here refer to those of age and experience, and on whose counsel men are accustomed to rely. The meaning here is, that their most sagacious anticipations are disappointed, their wisest schemes are foiled. They fail-in their calculations of the coarse of events, and the arrangements of Providence are such that they could not anticipate what was to occur.
The understanding of the aged - To whom the young were accustomed to look up with deference and respect. The meaning here is, that they who were accustomed to give wise and sound advice, if left by God, give vain and foolish counsels.
Wesley's Job 12:20 Bible Commentary
12:20 The speech - By taking away or restraining the gift of utterance from them. Or, by taking away their understanding which should direct their speech. Trusty - Of those wise and experienced counsellors, that were trusted by the greatest princes.