Bible Chapter Summary
Job 28 Summary
Wisdom Cannot Be Found or Bought
Job describes the mining of silver and gold, the extraction of iron and brass from stone. Men search out precious things and set bounds to darkness, finding sapphires and dust of gold in the earth, yet there is a path to wisdom that no fowl knows and the vulture's eye has not seen. God breaks through the mountains, cuts rivers among rocks, and brings hidden things to light, but wisdom cannot be found in any land of the living. The depth says it is not within, the sea says it is not there, and it cannot be purchased with gold, silver, or precious stones of any kind. However, God understands the way of wisdom and knows its place, for He looks to the ends of the earth, weighs the winds and waters, and made decrees for rain and lightning. Therefore, God says to man: the fear of the Lord is wisdom, and to depart from evil is understanding.
Key themes
Key verses
Job 28:12-13
“But where shall wisdom be found? and where is the place of understanding? Man knoweth not the price thereof; neither is it found in the land of the living.”
Job 28:15-18
“It cannot be gotten for gold, neither shall silver be weighed for the price thereof. It cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir, with the precious onyx, or the sapphire. The gold and the crystal cannot equal it: and the exchange of it shall not be for jewels of fine gold. No mention shall be made of coral, or of pearls: for the price of wisdom is above rubies.”
Job 28:23-24
“God understandeth the way thereof, and he knoweth the place thereof. For he looketh to the ends of the earth, and seeth under the whole heaven;”
Job 28:28
“And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.”
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