12 "But do people know where to find wisdom? Where can they find understanding? 13 No one knows where to find it, for it is not found among the living.
14 'It is not here,' says the ocean. 'Nor is it here,' says the sea. 15 It cannot be bought with gold. It cannot be purchased with silver. 16 It's worth more than all the gold of Ophir, greater than precious onyx or lapis lazuli. 17 Wisdom is more valuable than gold and crystal. It cannot be purchased with jewels mounted in fine gold. 18 Coral and jasper are worthless in trying to get it. The price of wisdom is far above rubies. 19 Precious peridot from Ethiopia cannot be exchanged for it. It's worth more than the purest 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.