Job 28:15

It cannot be gotten for gold, neither shall silver be weighed [for] the price thereof.

It cannot be gotten {H5414} for gold {H5458}, neither shall silver {H3701} be weighed {H8254} for the price {H4242} thereof.

It can't be obtained with gold, nor can silver be weighed out to buy it.

It cannot be bought with gold, nor can its price be weighed out in silver.

It cannot be gotten for gold, Neither shall silver be weighed for the price thereof.

Job 28:15 is a profound declaration within a poetic interlude on the nature and value of wisdom. This verse emphasizes the inability of even the most precious earthly commodities to acquire true understanding.

Context

Chapter 28 of Job stands apart from the direct dialogues between Job and his friends. It is a magnificent poem, likely spoken by Job himself, contemplating the origin and value of wisdom. Before verse 15, the chapter details humanity's impressive ability to mine the earth for precious metals like gold and silver, uncovering hidden treasures (Job 28:1-11). Yet, despite mankind's mastery over the physical world, the poem then asks a rhetorical question: "But where shall wisdom be found? and where is the place of understanding?" (Job 28:12). Verse 15 directly answers this by stating that wisdom is beyond the reach of human commerce.

Key Themes

  • The Inestimable Value of Wisdom: The verse powerfully asserts that true wisdom surpasses the worth of all earthly riches. Gold and silver, the ultimate symbols of wealth in ancient times, are utterly inadequate to purchase it.
  • Inadequacy of Material Wealth: It highlights the stark contrast between the tangible, finite value of precious metals and the intangible, infinite value of divine wisdom. Human effort and material possessions cannot secure what is spiritually profound.
  • Wisdom's Divine Origin: Implicitly, if humanity cannot acquire wisdom through its own means or wealth, then its source must be beyond human reach and control, pointing to a divine origin.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "neither shall silver be weighed for the price thereof" reflects ancient Near Eastern mercantile practices where precious metals were weighed rather than counted as coinage. This highlights the substantial quantity of silver being considered, underscoring that even vast amounts of wealth are insufficient. The Hebrew word for wisdom, chokmah, which is the subject of this entire chapter, encompasses not just intellectual knowledge but also practical skill, moral discernment, and a deep understanding of God's ways.

Related Scriptures

  • This declaration on wisdom's incomparable value is echoed throughout Scripture, particularly in the book of Proverbs, where wisdom is repeatedly depicted as more precious than rubies or fine gold (Proverbs 8:11).
  • The idea that true understanding comes from God, not from human effort or wealth, aligns with passages like James 1:5, which encourages believers to ask God for wisdom.
  • The futility of trusting in worldly riches is a consistent biblical theme, often taught by Jesus himself, as seen in his warnings against materialism and the pursuit of earthly treasures (Matthew 6:19-21; Luke 12:15).

Practical Application

Job 28:15 serves as a powerful reminder that while material possessions have their place, they are ultimately limited in what they can provide. True wisdom, which leads to understanding life's deepest questions and God's purposes, cannot be bought or earned through worldly means. It encourages us to shift our focus from accumulating wealth to seeking spiritual insight and discerning God's will. This wisdom is a gift, primarily found in reverence for the Lord (Job 28:28) and through His revelation.

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.

  • Proverbs 16:16

    ¶ How much better [is it] to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!

  • Proverbs 8:10

    Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.

  • Proverbs 8:11

    For wisdom [is] better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.

  • Proverbs 3:13

    ¶ Happy [is] the man [that] findeth wisdom, and the man [that] getteth understanding.

  • Proverbs 3:15

    She [is] more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.

  • Proverbs 8:19

    My fruit [is] better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.

  • Job 28:18

    No mention shall be made of coral, or of pearls: for the price of wisdom [is] above rubies.
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