Job 28:14

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

The depth {H8415} saith {H559}, It is not in me: and the sea {H3220} saith {H559}, It is not with me.

The deep says, 'It isn't in me,'and the sea says, 'It isn't with me.'

The ocean depths say, ‘It is not in me,’ while the sea declares, ‘It is not with me.’

The deep saith, It is not in me; And the sea saith, It is not with me.

Job 28:14 is part of a profound poetic interlude within the Book of Job, specifically found in chapter 28. This chapter shifts focus from Job's personal suffering and the debate with his friends to a majestic hymn praising the inaccessible nature of true wisdom.

Context

Chapter 28 stands out as a "wisdom poem," distinct from the main narrative of Job's trials. It contrasts humanity's remarkable ability to mine the earth for precious metals and stones with its utter inability to discover or purchase true wisdom. Humans can tunnel through mountains and bring forth gold and silver, but wisdom remains hidden. Verses 12-19 repeatedly ask, "But where shall wisdom be found? and where is the place of understanding?" (referencing Job 28:12) and declare that it cannot be bought with any earthly treasure, "nor shall silver be weighed for the price thereof" (Job 28:15). Verse 14 specifically highlights that even the deepest, most mysterious parts of creation do not possess wisdom.

Key Themes

  • The Elusiveness of Wisdom: This verse powerfully illustrates that true wisdom is not found in the physical world or in the depths of human exploration. Neither the deepest parts of the earth ("the depth") nor the vast, unexplored ocean ("the sea") holds the secret to understanding.
  • Human Limitations: Despite human ingenuity in extracting earthly riches, there are profound limits to what humanity can discover or acquire on its own. Wisdom, in this context, is beyond human reach and manipulation, emphasizing the finite nature of human knowledge compared to divine understanding.
  • Divine Origin of Wisdom: By declaring where wisdom is *not* found, the poem implicitly points to its ultimate source. If it's not on earth, it must reside with God, a truth explicitly stated later in the chapter: "God understandeth the way thereof, and he knoweth the place thereof" (Job 28:23). This foreshadows the idea that wisdom comes from the Lord.

Linguistic Insights

The terms "the depth" (Hebrew: tehōm) and "the sea" (Hebrew: yam) are used here to represent the most remote, inaccessible, and mysterious places known to ancient man. Tehōm often refers to the primeval deep or abyss, symbolizing the farthest reaches below the earth. Yam, the sea, represents vastness and the unknown, places beyond human control and full of hidden things. By personifying these elements and having them deny possession of wisdom, the text emphasizes that even where humans cannot go, wisdom is still not found there; it transcends all created realms.

Practical Application

Job 28:14 serves as a powerful reminder that genuine wisdom is not something we can attain through earthly means, whether by wealth, exploration, or even intellectual pursuit alone. It teaches us humility in our search for understanding and encourages us to look beyond the material world. For believers, this points to the necessity of seeking wisdom from its divine source, recognizing that God gives wisdom generously to those who ask Him. It urges us to prioritize spiritual insight and understanding over the fleeting treasures of this world, echoing sentiments found in Proverbs 3:13-15, which declares wisdom more precious than rubies.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Romans 11:33

    ¶ O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable [are] his judgments, and his ways past finding out!

  • Romans 11:34

    For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?
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