Job 28:19 - Exposition

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 valued with pare gold. Of the four words used for "gold" in this passage ( Job 28:15-17 ), one ( זהב ) seems to be the common name, and to designate the metal by its coleus, "yellow," since צָהַב means "to be yellow" Another ( סָגוּר ) means properly "what is treasured," or "shut up," from סָגַר , "to shut." The third ( פַז ) seems to be the name for "native gold," or that found in river-washings and nuggets, which was regarded as the purest. The fourth ( כֶּחֶם ) is a poetical name only, and designates gold of extreme purity (So Job 5:11 ), whether highly refined or native. Job uses them all, to show that there was no gold of any kind wherewith it was possible to purchase wisdom.