Job 23:12 (YLT)

Passage

The command of His lips, and I depart not. Above my allotted portion I have laid up The sayings of His mouth.

Nearby Context

Job 23:10 For He hath known the way with me, He hath tried me--as gold I go forth.

Job 23:11 On His step hath my foot laid hold, His way I have kept, and turn not aside,

Job 23:12 The command of His lips, and I depart not. Above my allotted portion I have laid up The sayings of His mouth.

Job 23:13 And He <FI>is<Fi> in one <FI>mind<Fi> , And who doth turn Him back? And His soul hath desired--and He doth <FI>it<Fi> .

Job 23:14 For He doth complete my portion, And many such things <FI>are<Fi> with Him.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "command", "lips", "depart", "above", "allotted", "portion", "laid", and "sayings". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "command" and "lips", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 11's "On His step hath my foot laid..." into verse 13's "And He FI is Fi in one...", so "command" and "lips" 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 "command" and "lips" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.