TRV
Translation
King James Version
No mention shall be made of coral, or of pearls: for the price of wisdom is above rubies.
Complete Jewish Bible
let alone coral or crystal; for indeed, the price of wisdom is above that of pearls.
Berean Standard Bible
Coral and quartz are unworthy of mention; the price of wisdom is beyond rubies.
American Standard Version
No mention shall be made of coral or of crystal: Yea, the price of wisdom is above rubies.
World English Bible Messianic
No mention shall be made of coral or of crystal. Yes, the price of wisdom is above rubies.
Geneva Bible (1599)
No mention shall be made of coral, nor of the gabish: for wisedome is more precious then pearles.
Young's Literal Translation
Corals and pearl are not remembered, The acquisition of wisdom is above rubies.
See also
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In the KJVVerse 13,523 of 31,102
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Commentary on Job 28 verses 12–19
12 But where shall wisdom be found? and where is the place of understanding?
13 Man knoweth not the price thereof; neither is it found in the land of the living.
14 ¶ The depth saith, It is not in me: and the sea saith, It is not with me.
15 It cannot be gotten for gold, neither shall silver be weighed for the price thereof.
16 It cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir, with the precious onyx, or the sapphire.
17 The gold and the crystal cannot equal it: and the exchange of it shall not be for jewels of fine gold.
18 No mention shall be made of coral, or of pearls: for the price of wisdom is above rubies.
19 The topaz of Ethiopia shall not equal it, neither shall it be valued with pure gold.
Job, having spoken of the wealth of the world, which men put such a value upon and take so much pains for, here comes to speak of another more valuable jewel, and that is, wisdom and understanding, the knowing and enjoying of God and ourselves. Those that found out all those ways and means to enrich themselves thought themselves very wise; but Job will not own theirs to be wisdom. He supposes them to gain their point, and to bring to light what they sought for (Job 28:11), and yet asks, "Where is wisdom? for it is not here." This their way is their folly. We must therefore seek it somewhere else, and it will be found nowhere but in the principles and practices of religion. There is more true knowledge, satisfaction, and happiness, in sound divinity, which shows us the way to the joys of heaven, than in natural philosophy or mathematics, which help us to find a way into the bowels of the earth. Two things cannot be found out concerning this wisdom: -
I. The price of it, for that is inestimable; its worth is infinitely more than all the riches in this world: Man knows not the price thereof (Job 28:13), that is, 1. Few put a due value upon it. Men know not the worth of it, its innate excellency, their need of it, and of what unspeakable advantage it will be to them; and therefore, though they have many a price in their hand to get this wisdom, yet they have no heart to it, Pro 17:16. The cock in the fable knew not the value of the precious stone he found in the dunghill, and therefore would rather have lighted on a barley-corn. Men know not the worth of grace, and therefore will take no pains to get it. 2. None can possibly give a valuable consideration for it, with all the wealth this world can furnish them with. This Job enlarges upon Job 28:15, etc., where he makes an inventory of the bona notabilia - the most valuable treasures of this world. Gold is five times mentioned; silver comes in also; and then several precious stones, the onyx and sapphire, pearls and rubies, and the topaz of Ethiopia. These are the things that are highest prized in the world's markets: but if a man would give, not only these, heaps of these, but all the substance of his house, all he is worth in the world, for wisdom, it would utterly be contemned. These may give a man some advantage in seeking wisdom, as they did to Solomon, but there is no purchasing wisdom with these. It is a gift of the Holy Ghost, which cannot be bought with money, Act 8:20. As it does not run in the blood, and so come to us by descent, so it cannot be got for money, nor does it come to us by purchase. Spiritual gifts are conferred without money and without price, because no money can be a price for them. Wisdom is likewise a more valuable gift to him that has it, makes him richer and happier, than gold or precious stones. It is better to get wisdom than gold. Gold is another's, wisdom our own; gold is for the body and time, wisdom for the soul and eternity. Let that which is most precious in God's account be so in ours. See Pro 3:14, etc.
II. The place of it, for that is undiscoverable. Where shall wisdom be found? Job 28:12. He asks this, 1. As one that truly desired to find it. This is a question we should all put. While the most of men are asking, "Where shall money be found?" we should ask, Where may wisdom be found? that we may seek it and find it, not vain philosophy, or carnal policy, but true religion; for that is the only true wisdom, that is it which best improves our faculties and best secures our spiritual and eternal welfare. This is that which we should cry after and dig for, Pro 2:3, Pro 2:4. 2. As one that utterly despaired of finding it any where but in God, and any way but by divine revelation: It is not found in this land of the living, Job 28:13. We cannot attain to a right understanding of God and his will, of ourselves and our duty and interest, by reading any books or men, but by reading God's book and the men of God. Such is the degeneracy of human nature that there is no true wisdom to be found with any but those who are born again, and who, through grace, partake of the divine nature. As for others, even the most ingenious and industrious, they can tell us no tidings of this lost wisdom. (1.) Ask the miners, and by them the depth will say, It is not in me, Job 28:14. Those who dig into the bowels of the earth, to rifle the treasures there, cannot in these dark recesses find this rare jewel, nor with all their art make themselves masters of it. (2.) Ask the mariners, and by them the sea will say, It is not in me. It can never be got either by trading on the waters or diving into them, can never be sucked from the abundance of the seas or the treasures hidden in the sand. Where there is a vein for the silver there is no vein for wisdom, none for grace. Men can more easily break through the difficulties they meet with in getting worldly wealth than through those they meet with in getting heavenly wisdom, and they will take more pains to learn how to live in this world than how to live for ever in a better world. So blind and foolish has man become that it is in vain to ask him, Where is the place of wisdom, and which is the road that leads to it?
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 12–19. Public domain.
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Julian of EclanumAD 455
EXPOSITION ON THE BOOK OF JOB 28:18
“The highest and loftier things are not worthy of mention in comparison with it.” He shows that not only amassed riches but also the heights of honors and the highest peaks of official dignity become worthless in comparison with it. “Wisdom is drawn from what is hidden.” Since he had depreciated all the things that delight the eyes, or entice the other senses or deceive the minds, in comparison with the honor of wisdom, he also avenges [wisdom] from that offense, in order that it may not appear to be open to everybody, that is, it may not be accused of dwelling in the desires and the actions of the crowd.
Gregory the DialogistAD 604
81. For all the Elect of the Country Above are indeed holy and righteous, but by a participation of Wisdom, not by comparison therewith. For what are men compared with God? Now ‘Light’ Wisdom is used to be called, ‘light’ also the servants of Wisdom are wont to be called; but She as light lighting up, they as light lighted up; as it was written; That was the true Light, Which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. [John 1, 9] But to these it is only said, Ye are the light of the world. [Matt. 5, 14] ‘Righteousness’ indeed Wisdom is called ‘righteousness,’ the servants of ‘Wisdom’ as well are called: but She righteousness that maketh righteous, they righteousness that is made righteous. For of God, Who is ‘Wisdom,’ it is said, That He might Himself be just and the Justifier; [Rom. 3, 26] but these say, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. [1 Cor. 5, 21] So then it is after one sort that the ‘Light lighting’ is to be reverenced, after another that the ‘light lighted’ is to be; in one way the Righteousness that maketh righteous, in another way the righteousness that is made righteous. Now Wisdom both is and is wise, nor has She for one thing to be, and for another thing to be wise; but the servants of ‘Wisdom’ are indeed able to be wise men, but yet they have not their being the same thing as being wise. For they may be, and not be wise. Wisdom hath life, but She hath not one thing, and is another thing, inasmuch as, to Her it is that to be that it is to live. But the servants of ‘Wisdom’ whilst they have life are one thing and have another, inasmuch as to whom to be is not the identical thing it is to live. For they may be after a sort, and yet not live. For to them it is one thing to be, and a different thing to live; for in the very first parent they had being by a beginning, and life by an addition, since man was first made of the earth, and afterwards as it is written; He breathed into his nostrils the breath of life. [Gen. 2, 7.] Now Wisdom hath being, She hath life; but this, which She hath, She Her own Self is. Wherefore She lives unchangeably, because she lives not by contingency, but essentially. He then alone Is truly with the Father and the Holy Spirit, to Whose Being ours compared, is not to Be. To this Wisdom if we be joined, we are, we live, we are wise. If we be compared to Him, we neither are wise, nor live at all, nor are.
82. Hence it is that all the Saints, when they advance in the vision of God, the more they view the interior depths of the Divine Nature, see so much the more that they themselves are nothing. For it is no where read that Abraham confessed that he was dust and ashes except when he obtained to enjoy the converse of God. For he says, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes. [Gen. 18, 27] For he would perchance have thought that he was something, if he had not perceived at all the true Essence that is above himself. But when for the contemplating of the Unchangeable One he was transported above himself, being filled with so mighty a power of contemplation, when he saw Him, he saw that he himself was nought but ‘dust.’ Hence it is that the Prophet being filled with the same Wisdom crieth out, Remember, O Lord, that we are but dust; [Ps. 103, 14. lxx.] who again viewing the unchangeableness of that Essence, saith, Yea, all of them shall wax old as doth a garment, and as a vesture shalt Thou change them, and they shall be changed; but Thou art the same, and Thy years shall not fail. [Ps. 102, 26. 27.] Hence it is said to Moses, I AM THAT I AM: Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, HE THAT IS hath sent me unto you. [Ex. 3, 14.] For He alone truly IS, Who alone unchangeably continues. For every thing that now is after this way, and now after another way, is near to not being. For to continue in its standing, it is not able. And in some manner there is a going on not to be, whilst from that which was, it is by the enfarings of time ever being led away to some other thing. In order then that in the partaking of His Body we may be something, let us know and see our own selves, that we are well nigh nothing. Therefore it is well said, Nor shall they be made mention of in comparison with her; because vessels of gold high and overtopping, which by participation of Wisdom are fit objects of reverence to us, in comparison of Wisdom are not even fit to be made mention of. But because this Wisdom is by secret means poured into the hearts of men, (as it is likewise said of the Holy Spirit, The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth; [John 3, 8]) for this reason it is added,
For wisdom is drawn from out of sight.
83. ‘Wisdom is drawn from out of sight;’ because whereas She is invisible, She cannot be found saving in an invisible way. And She is rightly said to be ‘drawn’ also, because like as we draw the breath, that the body may live, so from the interior depths of Wisdom the Spirit is derived, that the soul may hold on to life. Whence the Psalmist says, I opened my mouth, and drew in the spirit. [Ps. 119, 131.] Which very Wisdom, taking human flesh together with [al. ‘by the medium of.’] a rational soul, when It had presented Itself from the interior depths close at hand, because this world could not behold its invisible Maker, Him Whom it saw visible Man, it also knew as invisible God as well. The Gentile world was converted from the darkness of its unbelief, being before full of pride by its avertedness; signs and wonders being exhibited, faith gained ground; and the faith being spread abroad, the summit of Holy Church shone forth in reverence with all men. To which same when there were wanting open adversaries, she began to be tried by her own members. For numberless heresies springing up in her, they arrayed against her wars of cruel conflict. For she must be exercised at this time by toiling, who is on the way to her recompensing in that which follows. Whereby it has come to pass that some in her should come forth who should call the Mediator between God and man, the Man Christ Jesus, created mere man, but one by grace made God, and should attribute so much of holiness to him as they knew in the rest of the Saints, the same being His servants. Which persons blessed Job being inspired with the spirit of prophecy, reproves by the laying out of his sentence.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Job 28:18 stands as a profound declaration within a magnificent poetic interlude, asserting the unparalleled and transcendent value of true wisdom. By dismissing the mention of even the most coveted earthly treasures like coral and pearls, and explicitly stating that wisdom's worth far surpasses that of rubies, the verse underscores wisdom's inestimable nature, positioning it as the most precious commodity, unattainable through human effort or material exchange.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Job 28:18 is rich in literary artistry, effectively conveying its profound message through several devices. The most prominent is Hyperbole, evident in the sweeping statement, "No mention shall be made of coral, or of pearls." This exaggeration emphasizes the absolute insignificance of these precious materials when placed in comparison with wisdom, making wisdom's value seem infinite. Closely related is Juxtaposition, where the verse places the tangible, material wealth of coral, pearls, and rubies in direct contrast with the intangible, spiritual value of wisdom. This sharp contrast highlights wisdom's unique and superior nature. Furthermore, the verse employs Metaphor, implicitly treating wisdom as a treasure or a commodity with a "price" that can be compared to other valuable items. This metaphorical language helps the reader conceptualize wisdom's immense worth in terms familiar from the material world, even while asserting its transcendence over that world.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 28:18 articulates a core theological truth found throughout Scripture: true wisdom, originating from God, possesses an intrinsic value that far surpasses any earthly possession or human achievement. It is not something that can be mined, traded, or acquired through human effort or wealth, but rather a divine gift that brings understanding, discernment, and a right relationship with the Creator. This verse, embedded within a chapter that marvels at human ingenuity in extracting earthly treasures yet laments humanity's inability to find wisdom, underscores that ultimate value lies not in what we can accumulate, but in what we can discern about God and His ways. It points to a divine economy where spiritual insight outweighs all material gain, setting the stage for a life lived in accordance with God's will, which is the essence of true wisdom.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 28:18 serves as a timeless and potent challenge to our contemporary values, urging us to reconsider what we truly deem valuable and worth pursuing. In a world often consumed by the relentless pursuit of financial wealth, material possessions, social status, and fleeting pleasures, this verse calls us to a radical re-evaluation of our priorities. It reminds us that true, lasting richness is not found in what we can accumulate or display, but in the profound, God-given wisdom that shapes our understanding of life, our decisions, and our very character. Seeking this divine wisdom—which begins with the fear of the Lord, as Proverbs 9:10 teaches, and involves diligently studying His Word and seeking His guidance—offers a depth of peace, discernment, and purpose that no earthly treasure can ever provide. It empowers us to navigate life's complexities with insight, make choices aligned with eternal truth, and cultivate a perspective that transcends the temporary allure of the world, focusing instead on what truly endures.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What kind of "wisdom" is being referred to in Job 28:18?
Answer: The "wisdom" (Hebrew: chokmah) in Job 28:18 refers to a comprehensive understanding of God's ways, His creation, and His moral order. It is not merely intellectual knowledge or academic prowess, but a practical, spiritual, and moral discernment that enables one to live skillfully and righteously in the world. This wisdom is rooted in reverence for God and His truth, distinguishing it from human cleverness or worldly cunning. The broader context of Job 28 emphasizes that this wisdom is ultimately divine in origin and cannot be discovered or purchased through human effort, unlike earthly treasures.
Why are coral and pearls specifically mentioned alongside rubies as comparisons for wisdom's value?
Answer: Coral and pearls are mentioned because they represent highly prized, beautiful, and rare treasures that were sourced from the sea, complementing rubies which were mined from the earth. This comprehensive inclusion of valuable items from both aquatic and terrestrial realms emphasizes that no earthly or natural treasure, no matter how exotic, beautiful, or difficult to obtain, can compare to the supreme value of wisdom. It's a rhetorical device to underscore the absolute incomparability of wisdom, covering all categories of material wealth that ancient cultures highly esteemed.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job 28:18, with its profound declaration of wisdom's incomparable value, finds its ultimate fulfillment and personification in Jesus Christ. While the Old Testament wisdom literature often speaks of wisdom as a divine attribute or a principle to be sought, the New Testament reveals that this very wisdom became incarnate in Jesus. He is not merely a wise teacher, but the very embodiment of God's eternal wisdom. Colossians 2:3 declares that "in him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." For the believer, seeking wisdom is no longer an abstract pursuit but a personal relationship with Christ, in whom "are all things created, in heaven and in earth" Colossians 1:16. The "price" of wisdom, which is above rubies in Job, is revealed in Christ's sacrifice, where God's ultimate wisdom in salvation is made manifest 1 Corinthians 1:24. Therefore, the call to seek wisdom above all else becomes a call to seek Christ, for in Him, we find not only the source of all true understanding but also the ultimate treasure that far surpasses any earthly gain, promising eternal life and an abundant relationship with God, much like the hidden treasure in Matthew 13:44.