Matthew Poole and continuators on Job 12:20

20. He removeth away the Speech of the trusty , and taketh away the Understanding of the aged.

Either 1. By taking away or restraining the Gift of utterance from them that they should not be able to express their thoughts with such clearness and Power, as they used to do; which God oft doth to wise and eloquent men. Or 2. By bringing them into such straits and troubles that they know not what to say or advise. Or 3. By taking away their Understanding which should suggest and direct their Speech, as it here follows. Or, 4. By permitting them to betray their trust, and either not to speak when they should, or to speak otherwise than they should, and to use their Wit and Rhetorick, not to direct, but to deceive, and so destroy a Prince.

i. e. Of those wise and eloquent Counsellors, that were, and for their great abilities might be trusted by the greatest Princes with all their affairs.

Marginal references: Chap. 32. [illegible: 1+ letters] ▪ Isa. 3. 2. 3.; Heb. [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1 word] of the [illegible: 1 word] ▪