Job 12:19

12:19 He leads priests away stripped

and overthrows the potentates.

Job 34:25

34:25 Therefore, he knows their deeds,

he overthrows them in the night

and they are crushed.


tn Except for “priests,” the phraseology is identical to v. 17a.

tn The verb has to be defined by its context: it can mean “falsify” (Exod 23:8), “make tortuous” (Prov 19:3), or “plunge” into misfortune (Prov 21:12). God overthrows those who seem to be solid.

tn The original meaning of אֵיתָן (’eytan) is “perpetual.” It is usually an epithet for a torrent that is always flowing. It carries the connotations of permanence and stability; here applied to people in society, it refers to one whose power and influence does not change. These are the pillars of society.

tn The direct object “them” is implied and has been supplied in the translation for clarity.

tn The Hebrew term “night” is an accusative of time.