Job 28

King James Version

Full text for Job Chapter 28

1¶ Surely there is a vein for the silver, and a place for gold [where] they fine [it].

2Iron is taken out of the earth, and brass [is] molten [out of] the stone.

3He setteth an end to darkness, and searcheth out all perfection: the stones of darkness, and the shadow of death.

4The flood breaketh out from the inhabitant; [even the waters] forgotten of the foot: they are dried up, they are gone away from men.

5[As for] the earth, out of it cometh bread: and under it is turned up as it were fire.

6The stones of it [are] the place of sapphires: and it hath dust of gold.

7[There is] a path which no fowl knoweth, and which the vulture's eye hath not seen:

8The lion's whelps have not trodden it, nor the fierce lion passed by it.

9He putteth forth his hand upon the rock; he overturneth the mountains by the roots.

10He cutteth out rivers among the rocks; and his eye seeth every precious thing.

11He bindeth the floods from overflowing; and [the thing that is] hid bringeth he forth to light.

12But where shall wisdom be found? and where [is] the place of understanding?

13Man knoweth not the price thereof; neither is it found in the land of the living.

14¶ The depth saith, It [is] not in me: and the sea saith, [It is] not with me.

15It cannot be gotten for gold, neither shall silver be weighed [for] the price thereof.

16It cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir, with the precious onyx, or the sapphire.

17The gold and the crystal cannot equal it: and the exchange of it [shall not be for] jewels of fine gold.

18No mention shall be made of coral, or of pearls: for the price of wisdom [is] above rubies.

19The topaz of Ethiopia shall not equal it, neither shall it be valued with pure gold.

20¶ Whence then cometh wisdom? and where [is] the place of understanding?

21Seeing it is hid from the eyes of all living, and kept close from the fowls of the air.

22Destruction and death say, We have heard the fame thereof with our ears.

23God understandeth the way thereof, and he knoweth the place thereof.

24For he looketh to the ends of the earth, [and] seeth under the whole heaven;

25To make the weight for the winds; and he weigheth the waters by measure.

26When he made a decree for the rain, and a way for the lightning of the thunder:

27Then did he see it, and declare it; he prepared it, yea, and searched it out.

28And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that [is] wisdom; and to depart from evil [is] understanding.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Job 28 begins by highlighting man's remarkable ability to unearth precious metals and stones from the earth, overcoming significant natural obstacles. However, the chapter then pivots to question where true wisdom can be found, asserting that its value far surpasses all earthly treasures and is hidden from all living creatures. Ultimately, it reveals that only God comprehends wisdom, and He declares to man that the fear of the Lord is wisdom, and to depart from evil is understanding.

Medium Summary

The chapter opens by illustrating man's extraordinary skill in mining, describing how he extracts silver, gold, iron, and brass from the earth, penetrating darkness and overturning mountains to find hidden treasures. Despite this impressive human ingenuity, the text then shifts to inquire about the location and price of wisdom, declaring that it cannot be found in the land of the living nor purchased with any amount of gold, silver, or precious jewels. Wisdom's value is deemed far above all earthly riches, remaining hidden from all creatures, even Death and Destruction. It is revealed that only God knows the way to wisdom, for He surveys the entire creation and governs its natural laws. God ultimately declares to man that wisdom is the fear of the Lord, and understanding is to depart from evil.

Long Summary

Job 28 commences with a detailed account of man's remarkable prowess in mining and engineering, highlighting his ability to discover and extract valuable resources such as silver, gold, iron, and brass from the deepest parts of the earth. Man is depicted as one who sets an end to darkness, searches out hidden perfection, cuts rivers through rocks, and binds floods, demonstrating his dominion over the physical world to uncover precious stones like sapphires and dust of gold. Yet, after extolling these human achievements, the chapter introduces a stark contrast by asking a pivotal question: "But where shall wisdom be found? and where is the place of understanding?" It emphatically states that man does not know its price, nor is it found in the land of the living, for neither the depth nor the sea possesses it. The text then meticulously enumerates various earthly treasures—gold, silver, onyx, sapphire, crystal, coral, pearls, rubies, and topaz—all of which are declared insufficient to purchase or equal the immeasurable value of wisdom. Wisdom is portrayed as being hidden from the eyes of all living creatures, including the fowls of the air, with even Destruction and Death only having heard its fame. The chapter then reveals that only God truly understands the way to wisdom and knows its place, for He looks to the ends of the earth and sees under the whole heaven. God's comprehensive knowledge is further demonstrated by His control over creation, as He weighs the winds, measures the waters, and decrees the rain and the path for lightning. Having prepared and searched out wisdom Himself, God ultimately declares unto man that "the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding."

Core Concepts

  • Human Ingenuity in MiningMan possesses extraordinary skill in penetrating the earth's depths to extract hidden treasures like silver, gold, iron, and precious stones, overcoming natural barriers and darkness.
  • The Unattainable Nature of WisdomWisdom cannot be discovered or acquired by human effort or wealth; it is hidden from all living beings and beyond the reach of man's searching.
  • Value of WisdomWisdom's worth is immeasurable, far surpassing all earthly riches, including gold, silver, sapphires, rubies, and other precious jewels.
  • Divine Knowledge of WisdomOnly God comprehends the path and place of wisdom, as He alone surveys and controls the entirety of creation, from the earth's ends to the heavens.
  • God's Sovereignty in CreationGod demonstrates His absolute power and knowledge by weighing the winds, measuring the waters, and decreeing the rain and lightning, showing His complete understanding of the natural order.
  • Fear of the Lord as WisdomFor man, true wisdom is defined as the reverence and awe of God, acknowledging His supreme authority and power.
  • Departing from Evil as UnderstandingTrue understanding for humanity is equated with the moral act of turning away from wickedness and choosing righteousness.