Job 28:18

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Job 28:14-19

Job, having spoken of the wealth of the world, which men put such a value upon and take so much pains for, here comes to speak of another more valuable jewel, and that is, wisdom and understanding, the knowing and enjoying of God and ourselves. Those that found out all those ways and means to enrich themselves thought themselves very wise; but Job will not own theirs to be wisdom. He supposes them to gain their point, and to bring to light what they sought for (Job 28:11), and yet asks, ?Where... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 28:18

No mention shall be made of coral, or of pearls ,.... Coral is a marine plant, is as hard as a stone, and of such value as to be reckoned among precious stones; See Gill on Ezekiel 27:16 . In Arabia Felix, on the shore of the Red sea, is a place called Coralia F14 Plin. Nat. Hist. l. 6. c. 28. ; it may be from coral found there. Pearls are from shellfish taken out of the sea, though these seem rather intended in the next clause: the words "ramoth" and "gabish" are left untranslated... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 28:1-28

The connection of this chapter with the preceding is somewhat obscure. Probably we are to regard Job as led to see, even while he is justifying God's ways with sinners ( Job 27:8-23 ), how many and how great are the difficulties in the way of forming a single consistent theory of the Divine action, which shall be applicable to all cases. Hence he comes to the conclusion that God is incomprehensible by man and inscrutable; and that it is only given to man to know him sufficiently for his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 28:1-28

Job's first parable: 3. A discourse upon true wisdom. I. THE WISDOM UNDISCOVERABLE BY HUMAN GENIUS . Among the stupendous efforts of human industry and skill with which Job was acquainted, nothing was better fitted to impress the mind with a sense of man's illimitable daring, resistless might, and wonderful success in searching out all perfection (verse 3), and brining hidden things to light (vet, 11), than the operations of the miner. These, a knowledge of which may have been... 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 28:18

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

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 28:18

No mention shall be made of coral - That is, as a price by which to purchase wisdom, or in comparison with wisdom. The margin here is, “Ramoth” - retaining the Hebrew word ראמה râ'mâh. Jerome renders it, “excelsa” - exalted or valuable things. So the Septuagint, Μετέωρα Meteōra - exalted or sublime things; as if the word were from רום, to be exalted. According to the rabbis, the word here means “red coral.” It occurs also in Ezekiel 27:16, where it is mentioned as a valuable commodity in... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Job 28:18-19

Job 28:18-19. No mention shall be made of coral or of pearls They are of no value, if compared with wisdom, nor fit to be mentioned as a price wherewith to purchase it. For the price, &c. Hebrew, משׁךְ , meshech, the attraction, or extraction, of wisdom is above rubies מפנינים , mippeninim, pearls. But the expression is rendered by the LXX., υπερ τα εσωτατα , above the innermost, or most concealed and guarded things; and by the Vulgate de occultis, of secret things. ... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Job 28:1-28

The search for true wisdom (28:1-28)At this point there is a pause in the story while the writer inserts a poem on the pricelessness of true wisdom. The poem does not state who composed it, though it could have been spoken by Job during the period of quiet that followed the last of the friends’ speeches. The theme of the poem is that, though people go to much trouble to find the riches hidden in the earth, they are not able to find the far greater riches of true wisdom.Mining is an occupation... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Job 28:12-21

Job 28:12-21. But where shall wisdom be found?— Job continues to give further instances of the daring and yet successful attempts of mankind, to provide themselves with every necessary and conveniency of life; such as corn for bread; (Job 28:5.) fountains of water in the dry places, where they are wanted, cut out of the hard rock; (Job 28:10.) and rapid rivers restrained within their channels to prevent the mischiefs of their overflow: Job 28:11. To which he adds again gold and sapphires, and... read more

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