The depth saith, It is not in me: and the sea saith, It is not with me. The deep abysses of the ocean declare that it is not with them; and the wide reaches of the far-extending sea proclaim that it is not with them either. read more
It cannot be gotten for gold. No amount of gold can purchase it; no, not of the purest and most refined quality ( 1 Kings 6:20 , 1 Kings 6:21 ), for it is not a thing that can be bought or sold God must grant it, and find a way of imparting it; which he certainly will not do for a sum of money. Neither shall silver be weighed for the price thereof. If gold cannot purchase it, much less can silver—the less valuable medium of exchange. (On the weighing of silver, in sales, see Genesis... read more
It cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir . The locality of Ophir has been much contested, but, on the whole, the weight of evidence would seem to be in favour of Arabia, on the south-east coast (see the article on "Ophir" in Smith's 'Dict. of the Bible,' which exhausts all that can be said on the subject). The high estimation in which "gold of Ophir" was held appears not only in this passage, but also in Job 22:24 ; Psalms 45:9 : and Isaiah 13:12 . It is to be accounted for by the... read more
The gold and the crystal cannot equal it ; rather, gold and crystal. This second mention of gold (see verse ]5) seems superfluous, but perhaps the patriarch is thinking of some goblet or ornament in which crystal and gold were combined together. Ornaments of this kind bare been found in Phoenicia. And the exchange of it shall not be for jewels of fine gold ; or, vessels of fine gold. Both in Egypt and Phoenicia vessels of gold were common. read more
No mention shall be made of coral . The word translated "coral" ( רָאמוֹת ) means properly "things that are high." It occurs only here and in Ezekiel 27:16 . The rabbinical interpretation of the word as "coral" is doubtful, since it was unknown to the LXX . Or of pearls. The word gabish ( גָבִישׁ ) occurs only in this place. Some identify it with rock-crystal. For the price of wisdom is above rubies . Here we have another obscure word ( פָנִינִים ), which is variously... read more
The topaz of Ethiopia shall not equal it . It is generally allowed that the pithdath ( פִטְדַת ) is either the "topaz" or the "chrysolite." In favour of its being the chrysolite is the passage of Pliny which mentions its being esteemed for its green tints ('Hist. Nat.,' Job 37:8 ). Otherwise "topaz" might have appeared to be the best rendering. By "Cush," here translated "Ethiopia," is probably meant Cushite Arabia, or the southern and south-eastern regions. Neither shall it be... read more
Whence then cometh wisdom? and where is the place of understanding? This is a repetition of Job 28:12 , with a mere variant of the verb in the first line. Job's elaborate inquiry of verses 14-19 having thresh no light on the subject, the original question recurs—Where does wisdom come from? read more
Seeing it is hid from the eyes of all living . Man cannot see it, because it is immaterial, but he cannot even conconceive of it, because its nature transcends him. And kept close from the fowls of the air. (comp. Job 28:7 ). The sight of birds is far keener than that of man; but even birds cannot detect where wisdom is. read more
Destruction and death say, We have heard the fame thereof with our ears . "Death and destruction" seem to represent the inhabitants of Sheol—the world of the departed. Job personifies them, and represents them as saying, that in their gloomy and remote abode ( Job 10:21 , Job 10:22 ) they have heard some dim rumour, some vague report, of the "place" of wisdom and understanding, the nature of which, however, they do not communicate to him. His idea seems to be that their knowledge on the... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Job 28:13
Man knoweth not the price thereof . The real value of wisdom cannot be estimated in terms of ordinary human calculation. It transcends figures. Neither is it found in the land of the living . True wisdom, such as Job is speaking of (see the comment on verses 12-28), does not exist among men. It transcends human faculties, and is among the peculiar possessions of the Most High (verse 23). Hence the Most High is altogether inscrutable by man'' his ways are past finding out." read more