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Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 28:11

He bindeth the floods from overflowing . This, again, may be either taken generally of man's ability to create dams, dykes, and embankments, whereby the overflow of waters is prevented; or specially of such works when connected with mines, from which it is possible, in some instances, to dam out water that would otherwise interfere with their working. The word translated "overflowing" means probably "weeping," and seems to point to that leakage from the roofs and sides of galleries and adits... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 28:12

But where shall wisdom be found? "Wisdom is the principal thing," says Solomon ( Proverbs 4:7 ); and again, "It is better to get wisdom than gold" ( Proverbs 16:16 ). But where is it to be found? Job's three friends thought that it dwelt with them ( Job 12:2 ); but this was a mistake, since God reproaches them with their "folly" ( Job 42:8 ). Job does not claim to possess it ( Job 26:3 ); he only desires it. It is his deep conviction that it is only possessed, in the true sense of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 28:12-28

Here we come on an abrupt change. From human ingenuity and contrivance Job turns to the consideration of "wisdom"—that wisdom which has been defined as "the reason which deals with principles "(Canon Cook). "Where," he asks, "is this to be found?" It is a wholly different thing from cleverness and ingenuity. It inquires into causes and origins, into the ends and purposes of things; it seeks to solve the riddle of the universe. Perfect wisdom can, of course, only dwell with God (verse 23). Man... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 28:14

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 28:15

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 28:16

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 28:17

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 28:18

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 28:19

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

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