He leads priests away stripped
In this phrase, the Hebrew word for "priests" is "כֹּהֲנִים" (kohanim), which traditionally refers to those who serve in religious capacities, particularly in the temple. The role of priests in ancient Israel was one of great honor and responsibility, as they were mediators between God and the people. The imagery of being "stripped" suggests a removal of dignity and authority. Historically, priests were seen as figures of stability and spiritual guidance. However, Job is emphasizing God's sovereignty over all, including those in religious authority. This serves as a reminder that no human position is beyond God's reach or control.

and overthrows the established
The word "overthrows" comes from the Hebrew "סָלַף" (salaf), which means to subvert or to turn upside down. This conveys a sense of complete reversal or destruction. The "established" refers to those who are firmly set in their positions, often seen as pillars of society. In the context of Job, this highlights the theme that God can dismantle even the most secure and seemingly unshakeable human institutions. This serves as a powerful reminder of the transient nature of human power and the ultimate authority of God over all creation. It encourages believers to place their trust not in human institutions, but in the eternal and unchanging nature of God.

(19) He leadeth princes.--Some understand priests rather than princes. The word appears to be used in both senses; here the parallelism seems to suit princes better. The latter part of this chapter seems to re-echo the sentiments of Eliphaz in Job 5:11-16; but, instead of giving them the optimist direction he had sketched, he confesses that his own position is rather one of blank despair. Eliphaz is quite sure he possesses the key to the interpretation of the ways of Providence. Job ever fears that his ignorance is so profound as to amount almost to sheer hopelessness, Job is thus the type of a man who has felt the hollowness and unreality of traditional orthodox), and is feeling his way in thick darkness, sustained, nevertheless, by an unquenchable faith that there is light, and that the light will eventually dawn. That this character is the more acceptable to the God of truth is made abundantly clear in the sequel. It is to be observed, however, that Job's breadth of view far exceeds that of Eliphaz, inasmuch as the latter generalises vaguely, while Job declares that not men, but nations, are the subjects of God's guiding providence.

Verse 19. - He leadeth princes away spoiled; rather, priests (כהנים), as in the Revised Version. This is the only mention of "priests" in the Book of Job, and a priest-caste, such as that of Egypt or of Israel, can scarcely be meant. The priests are placed among the mighty, on a par with kings (ver. 18), princes (ver. 21), and "the strong" (ver. 21). This context makes us naturally think of those priest-kings whom we hear of in the olden times, such as were Melchizedek (Genesis 19:18-20) and Jethro (Exodus 3:1; Exodus 18:1-27), and the Egyptian kings of the twenty-first dynasty ('History of Ancient Egypt,' vol. 2. pp. 408-415), and Ethbaal of Tyro ('History of Phoenicia,' p. 435), and Sethos (Herod., 2, 141), and others. Job's allusion is probably to persons of this exalted class, who no doubt were sometimes defeated and dragged into captivity, like other rulers and governors. And overthroweth the mighty. Schultens understands by ethanim (איחנים) "great teachers;" but the ordinary meaning of the word is "strong" or "mighty" (see Job 33:19; Micah 6:2).

Parallel Commentaries ...


He leads priests
כֹּהֲנִ֣ים (kō·hă·nîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3548: Priest

away
מוֹלִ֣יךְ (mō·w·lîḵ)
Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

barefoot
שׁוֹלָ֑ל (šō·w·lāl)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 7758: Nude, captive

and overthrows
יְסַלֵּֽף׃ (yə·sal·lêp̄)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5557: To twist, pervert, overturn

the established.
וְאֵֽתָנִ֣ים (wə·’ê·ṯā·nîm)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 386: Perennial, ever-flowing, permanence


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OT Poetry: Job 12:19 He leads priests away stripped and overthrows (Jb)