12 But wisdom, where shall it be found? and where is the place of understanding? 13 Man knoweth not the value thereof; and it is not 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 Choice gold cannot be given for it, nor silver be weighed for its price. 16 It is not set in the balance with gold of Ophir, with the precious onyx, and the sapphire. 17 Gold and glass cannot be compared to it, nor vessels of fine gold be its exchange. 18 Corals and crystal are no more remembered; yea, the acquisition of wisdom is above rubies. 19 The topaz of Ethiopia shall not be compared to it, neither shall it be set in the balance with pure gold.
20 Whence then cometh wisdom? and where is the place of understanding? 21 For it is hidden from the eyes of all living, and concealed from the fowl of the heavens. 22 Destruction and death say, We have heard its report with our ears. 23 God understandeth the way thereof, and he knoweth its place: 24 For he looketh to the ends of the earth, he seeth under the whole heaven. 25 In making a weight for the wind, and meting out the waters by measure, 26 In appointing a statute for the rain, and a way for the thunder's flash: 27 Then did he see it, and declare it; he established it, yea, and searched it out;
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Job 28:12-27
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.
Commentary on Job 28:20-28
(Read Job 28:20-28)
There is a two-fold wisdom; one hid in God, which is secret, and belongs not to us; the other made known by him, and revealed to man. One day's events, and one man's affairs, have such reference to, and so hang one upon another, that He only, to whom all is open, and who sees the whole at one view, can rightly judge of every part. But the knowledge of God's revealed will is within our reach, and will do us good. Let man look upon this as his wisdom, To fear the Lord, and to depart from evil. Let him learn that, and he is learned enough. Where is this wisdom to be found? The treasures of it are hid in Christ, revealed by the word, received by faith, through the Holy Ghost. It will not feed pride or vanity, or amuse our vain curiosity. It teaches and encourages sinners to fear the Lord, and to depart from evil, in the exercise of repentance and faith, without desiring to solve all difficulties about the events of this life.