12 But where shall wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding? 13 Man knoweth not the price thereof; Neither is it found in the land of the living.
14 The deep saith, It is not in me; And the sea saith, It is not with me. 15 It cannot be gotten for gold, Neither shall silver be weighed for the price thereof. 16 It cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir, With the precious onyx, or the sapphire. 17 Gold and glass cannot equal it, Neither shall it be exchanged for jewels of fine gold. 18 No mention shall be made of coral or of crystal: Yea, the price of wisdom is above rubies. 19 The topaz of Ethiopia shall not equal it, Neither shall it be valued with pure gold.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Job 28:12-19
Commentary on Job 28:12-19
(Read Job 28:12-19)
Job here speaks of wisdom and understanding, the knowing and enjoying of God and ourselves. Its worth is infinitely more than all the riches in this world. It is a gift of the Holy Ghost which cannot be bought with money. Let that which is most precious in God's account, be so in ours. Job asks after it as one that truly desired to find it, and despaired of finding it any where but in God; any way but by Divine revelation.