15. Not the usual word for "gold"; from a Hebrew root, "to shut up" with care; that is, purest gold ( :-, Margin). weighed—The precious metals were weighed out before coining was known ( :-). read more
16. gold of Ophir—the most precious (See on Job 28:2 and Job 28:2- :). onyx— (Job 28:2- :). More valued formerly than now. The term is Greek, meaning "thumb nail," from some resemblance in color. The Arabic denotes, of two colors, white preponderating. read more
17. crystal—Or else glass, if then known, very costly. From a root, "to be transparent." jewels—rather, "vessels." read more
18. Red coral ( :-). pearls—literally, "what is frozen." Probably crystal; and :- will then be glass. rubies—UMBREIT translates "pearls" (see Lamentations 4:1; Proverbs 3:15). The Urim and Thummim, the means of consulting God by the twelve stones on the high priest's breastplate, "the stones of the sanctuary" (Proverbs 3:15- :), have their counterpart in this chapter; the precious stones symbolizing the "light" and "perfection" of the divine wisdom. read more
19. Ethiopia—Cush in the Hebrew. Either Ethiopia, or the south of Arabia, near the Tigris. read more
20. :- repeated with great force. read more
21. None can tell whence or where, seeing it, &c. fowls—The gift of divination was assigned by the heathen especially to birds. Their rapid flight heavenwards and keen sight originated the superstition. Job may allude to it. Not even the boasted divination of birds has an insight into it (Ecclesiastes 10:20). But it may merely mean, as in Ecclesiastes 10:20- :, It escapes the eye of the most keen-sighted bird. read more
22. That is, the abodes of destruction and of the dead. "Death" put for Sheol (Job 30:23; Job 26:6; Psalms 9:13). We have [only] heard—the report of her. We have not seen her. In the land of the living (Job 28:13) the workings of Wisdom are seen, though not herself. In the regions of the dead she is only heard of, her actings on nature not being seen (Job 28:13- :). read more
23. God hath, and is Himself, wisdom. read more
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Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Job 28:13
13. Man can fix no price upon it, as it is nowhere to be found in man's abode ( :-). Job implies both its valuable worth, and the impossibility of buying it at any price. read more