Job 23:12 (ASV)

Passage

I have not gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have treasured up the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.

Nearby Context

Job 23:10 But he knoweth the way that I take; When he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

Job 23:11 My foot hath held fast to his steps; His way have I kept, and turned not aside.

Job 23:12 I have not gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have treasured up the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.

Job 23:13 But he is in one [mind], and who can turn him? And what his soul desireth, even that he doeth.

Job 23:14 For he performeth that which is appointed for me: And many such things are with him.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "gone", "back", "commandment", "lips", "treasured", "words", "mouth", and "than". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "gone" and "back", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 11's "My foot hath held fast to his..." into verse 13's "But he is in one mind and...", so "gone" and "back" belong inside that flow. In Job context, the local focus is covenant, worship, and faithfulness.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "gone" and "back" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.