Charles Ellicott Commentary Job 12

And Job answered and said. —Each of the friends has now supplied his quota, and Job proceeds to reply to the third, showing that he is far more conversant with the wisdom and majesty of God than they are themselves, though in their own esteem they alone are wise.

I am as one mocked of his neighbour. —The laughingstock of his companion—he who called on God, and He answered him. This is either the character Job claims for himself, or it is the supposed taunt of his friends—the righteous and the perfect a laughingstock, or, the righteous and the perfect might be a laughingstock. Ridicule is no test of truth or of merit.

Is as a lamp despised in the thought of him that is at ease. —This rendering conveys no sense. The meaning is either that the lamp or torch prepared for feet tottering and uncertain in the darkness is disregarded and rejected by those who are at ease and need no such aid; in which case one does not see very clearly why Job compares himself to such a torch: or, more probably, there is contempt for calamity in the thoughts of he who is at ease; it is ready at hand for those who are tottering with their feet.

Into whose hand God brings abundantly. —Some understand these words to mean, to him that brings his god in his hand (Habakkuk 1:16); but the other interpretation seems more in accordance with common usage. (Compare, e.g.,Proverbs 3:27, and other examples.)

Who knoweth not in all these that the hand of the Lord hath wrought this? (Job 12:9) — This is the only place in the dialogue parts of Job where the sacred name of Jehovah is found, and Job's use of the word itself in such a context is the clearest evidence of the superior knowledge he claims. None of his friends use the name; but Job uses it here, and by this shows his knowledge of the covenant name.