This section is an isolated speech. There is no speaker listed, so it might continue from earlier words. Some see it as a creative summary by the author of Job. It emphasizes the limits of human wisdom and sets the stage for the Lord's speeches.
1“Surely there is a mine for silverand a place where gold is refined.2Iron is taken from the earth,and copper is smelted from ore.3Man puts an end to the darkness;he probes the farthest recessesfor ore in deepest darkness.4Far from human habitation he cuts a shaftin places forgotten by the foot of man.Far from men he dangles and sways.5Food may come from the earth,but from below it is transformed as by fire.6Its rocks are the source of sapphires,containing flecks of gold.7No bird of prey knows that path;no falcon’s eye has seen it.8Proud beasts have never trodden it;no lion has ever prowled over it.9The miner strikes the flint;he overturns mountains at their base.10He hews out channels in the rocks,and his eyes spot every treasure.11He stops up† the sources of the streamsto bring what is hidden to light.12But where can wisdom be found,and where does understanding dwell?13No man can know its value,nor is it found in the land of the living.14The ocean depths say, ‘It is not in me,’while the sea declares, ‘It is not with me.’15It cannot be bought with gold,nor can its price be weighed out in silver.ⓘThe metals, gems, and glass listed here were...
The metals, gems, and glass listed here were valuable in the ancient world. However, the speaker says wisdom is more valuable than wealth.
16It cannot be valued in the gold of Ophir,in precious onyx or sapphire.17Neither gold nor crystal can compare to it,nor jewels of fine gold be exchanged for it.18Coral and quartz are unworthy of mention;the price of wisdom is beyond rubies.19Topaz from Cush† cannot compare to it,nor can it be valued in pure gold.20From where, then, does wisdom come,and where does understanding dwell?21It is hidden from the eyes of every living thingand concealed from the birds of the air.22Abaddon† and Death say,‘We have heard a rumor about it.’ⓘWhen God looks across the entire earth, he...
When God looks across the entire earth, he sees his wisdom in his creation (28:23). God later showed his wisdom to Job by taking him on a tour of the universe (chapters 38–41).
23But Godunderstands its way,and He knows its place.24For He looks to the ends of the earthand sees everything under the heavens.25When God fixed the weight of the windand measured out the waters,26when He set a limit for the rainand a path for the thunderbolt,27then He looked at wisdom and appraised it;He established it and searched it out.28And He said to man, ‘Behold,the fearof the Lord, that is wisdom,and to turn away from evil is understanding.’”
Commentary
Job 28:5
People who mined would melt rock by burning a fire in a mine for days or weeks to extract the solid matter (ore). Some used fire and then cold water to crack the rocks.
Commentary
Job 28:13
Wisdom does not come from people. God is the true source of wisdom (28:23–28).
the fear of the Lord (Hebrew, ’adonay): In the book of Job, this name for God appears only here. This might suggest that chapter 28 is a poem by the person narrating.