Job 28:18

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Job 28:18

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

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Job 28:1-28

1. Job’s discourse on God’s wisdom ch. 28Because the speech in this chapter is more soliloquy than dialogue, some scholars have concluded that someone other than Job spoke it: Zophar, Bildad, or God. One writer argued for it’s being a speech by none of the characters, but a composition by the storyteller in which he expressed his own point of view. [Note: Andersen, pp. 222-29.] The subject matter, however, is in harmony with what Job had said previously (cf. Job 9:10-11; Job 12:13; Job 17:10;... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Job 28:1-40

E. Job’s Concluding Soliloquies chs. 28-31Job’s three friends had nothing more to say, but Job did. He continued to talk about God’s wisdom (ch. 28) and to defend his own innocence (chs. 29-31). read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Job 28:1-28

The Mystery of Divine WisdomIn this famous chapter Job declares that Wisdom—that is, the principle of the divine government of the world—is a mystery not to be solved by man. Man’s wisdom lies in fearing God, and in departing from evil. But this conclusion is quite at variance with the position taken by Job in the chapters before and after it. ’It might no doubt be supposed that Job has reached a calmer mood; and abandoning the attempt to discover a speculative solution of the difficulties... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Job 28:1-28

Job 28:1 'In the centre of the world-whirlwind,' says Carlyle in the first part of Past and Present (chap. 11.), 'verily now as in the oldest days, dwells and speaks a God. The great soul of the world is just. O brother, can it be needful now, at this late epoch of experience, after eighteen centuries of Christian preaching for one thing, to remind thee of such a fact.' Sans-culottism will burn much; but what is incombustible it will not burn. Fear not Sans-culottism; recognize it for what it... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Job 28:1-28

XXIII.CHORAL INTERLUDEJob 28:1-28THE controversy at length closed, the poet breaks into a chant of the quest of Wisdom. It can hardly be supposed to have been uttered or sung by Job. But if we may go so far as to imagine a chorus after the manner of the Greek dramas, this ode would fitly come as a choral descant reflecting on the vain attempts made alike by Job and by his friends to penetrate the secrets of Divine providence. How poor and unsatisfying is all that has been said. To fathom the... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Job 28:1-28

CHAPTER 28 1. The treasures of the earth (Job 28:1-6 ) 2. The better treasures (Job 28:7-22 ) 3. God knoweth the way and the true wisdom (Job 28:23-28 ) Job 28:1-6 . This part of the monologue of Job does not seem to have much relation, if any, to the controversial matter of the previous chapters. He speaks first of the treasures of the earth, the riches which man seeks after, but which do not last, and are so often man’s undoing. Job shows that he had a good knowledge of mining... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Job 28:18

28:18 No mention shall be made of coral, or of {l} pearls: for the price of wisdom [is] above rubies.(l) Which was thought to be a king of precious stone. read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Job 28:1-28

EARTH'S MEASURED TREASURES (vv.1-6) Job has spoken of the folly of wicked men. Now he shows that which stands in beautiful contrast to Chapter 27. The language here is magnificent, as Job considers what is altogether objective, not at all continuing any defence of himself in this chapter, but extolling the virtues of wisdom, showing that all creation bears witness to the greatness of the wisdom of God. In thinking of this chapter, we should do well to compare it to Proverbs 8:12-31, where... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Job 28:1-28

THIRD SERIES OF THE DEBATE 1. With Eliphaz (chaps. 22-24) a. Speech of Eliphaz (chap. 22) b. Reply of Job (chaps. 23-24) 2. With Bildad (chaps. 25-26) a. Speech of Bildad (chap. 25) b. Reply of Job (chap. 26) 3. With Zophar (chaps. 27-31) a. Continuation of the reply of Job (chaps. 27-31) The last speech Eliphaz makes, chapter 22, is a grand effort to refute Job based upon the latter’s appeal to facts. There is more severity in it than he has shown before. He charges Job with cruelty,... read more

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