12 And the wisdom—whence is it found? And where 'is' this, the place of understanding? 13 Man hath not known its arrangement, Nor is it found in the land of the living.
14 The deep hath said, 'It 'is' not in me,' And the sea hath said, 'It is not with me.' 15 Gold is not given for it, Nor is silver weighed—its price. 16 It is not valued with pure gold of Ophir, With precious onyx and sapphire, 17 Not equal it do gold and crystal, Nor 'is' its exchange a vessel of fine gold. 18 Corals and pearl are not remembered, The acquisition of wisdom 'is' above rubies. 19 Not equal it doth the topaz of Cush, With pure gold it is not valued.
20 And the wisdom—whence doth it come? And where 'is' this, the place of understanding? 21 It hath been hid from the eyes of all living. And from the fowl of the heavens It hath been hidden. 22 Destruction and death have said: 'With our ears we have heard its fame.' 23 God hath understood its way, And He hath known its place. 24 For He to the ends of the earth doth look, Under the whole heavens He doth see, 25 To make for the wind a weight, And the waters He meted out in measure. 26 In His making for the rain a limit, And a way for the brightness of the voices, 27 Then He hath seen and declareth it, He hath prepared it, and also 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.