Job 28:19

KJV

The topaz of Ethiopia shall not equal it, neither shall it be valued with pure gold.

KJV (with Strong's)

The topaz {H6357} of Ethiopia {H3568} shall not equal {H6186} it, neither shall it be valued {H5541} with pure {H2889} gold {H3800}.

Complete Jewish Bible

It can't be compared with Ethiopian topaz, and it can't be valued with pure gold.

Berean Standard Bible

Topaz from Cush cannot compare to it, nor can it be valued in pure gold.

American Standard Version

The topaz of Ethiopia shall not equal it, Neither shall it be valued with pure gold.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 28:19 is a pivotal verse within a profound poetic interlude in the Book of Job, asserting the absolute and unparalleled value of true wisdom. It declares that even the most esteemed and precious earthly treasures—specifically the rare topaz from Ethiopia and the purest gold—are utterly incomparable to wisdom, which transcends all material wealth and human acquisition. This statement underscores wisdom's divine origin and its supreme worth, setting it apart as a treasure beyond human reach or valuation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Chapter 28 of the Book of Job stands as a magnificent, self-contained wisdom poem, distinct from the preceding dialogues between Job and his friends. It serves as a philosophical interlude, shifting the focus from Job's suffering and the debate over divine justice to a profound meditation on the nature and source of wisdom. The chapter begins by marveling at humanity's incredible ingenuity in mining the earth's hidden riches—silver, gold, iron, and precious stones—from depths unknown even to the keenest birds of prey or the wildest beasts. Despite this remarkable human capacity to conquer the physical world and extract its most valuable elements, the poem then pivots to pose a critical, rhetorical question: "But where shall wisdom be found? and where is the place of understanding?" [Job 28:12](/job/28-12 "Job 28:12 - The Search for Wisdom"). Verses 15-18 systematically list an exhaustive array of valuable commodities—gold, silver, onyx, sapphire, coral, crystal, pearls, and rubies—each emphatically declared insufficient to purchase or compare with wisdom. Verse 19 continues this crescendo of incomparability, specifically highlighting the "topaz of Ethiopia" and "pure gold" as the ultimate earthly standards against which wisdom's value is measured and found to be infinitely superior.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The mention of "the topaz of Ethiopia" (Hebrew: _Kush_) is significant, as ancient Ethiopia (modern-day Sudan and parts of Eritrea and Ethiopia) was renowned in the ancient world for its rich mineral resources, including highly prized gemstones. Topaz itself was a valuable gemstone, often yellow or greenish, and its association with a distant, exotic, and resource-rich land would have amplified its perceived rarity and worth. "Pure gold" (Hebrew: _ketem_) represented the pinnacle of material value, the universal standard for wealth and luxury across all ancient cultures. The chapter's detailed description of mining operations—tunnels, shafts, lamps, and the extraction of various metals and stones—reflects the advanced metallurgical knowledge and mining practices of the ancient Near East. This backdrop of human mastery over the earth's physical treasures serves to heighten the contrast with humanity's utter inability to unearth or acquire true wisdom through similar means, emphasizing that wisdom operates on a different, divine plane.
* **Key Themes:** The central theme of Job 28:19, and indeed the entire chapter, is the **inestimable value and incomparability of divine wisdom**. Wisdom is portrayed as transcending all earthly wealth, beauty, and human endeavor. The verse directly contributes to the chapter's overarching argument that while humanity can exploit the earth's deepest secrets for material gain, it remains fundamentally incapable of discovering or purchasing true wisdom. This leads to a second major theme: the **divine origin and exclusive revelation of true wisdom**. Unlike earthly treasures that can be mined by human effort and ingenuity, true wisdom cannot be bought, found, or comprehended by human intellect alone. It is a gift and revelation from God, accessible only on His terms, as ultimately revealed in [Job 28:23](/job/28-23 "Job 28:23 - God Knows the Way to Wisdom"). A third theme is **human limitation and humility**. The poem beautifully illustrates the paradox of human capability: man can conquer the earth's deepest recesses to extract its riches, yet remains utterly incapable of discovering the source of divine wisdom on his own. This highlights the boundary between finite human understanding and God's infinite, sovereign knowledge, urging a posture of humility and dependence on the Creator for true insight.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Topaz (Hebrew, _piṭdâ_):** This term refers to a precious gemstone, likely a yellow or yellowish-green stone, highly valued in the ancient world for its beauty and rarity. Its mention here, specifically from Ethiopia, underscores its exceptional quality and the difficulty of its acquisition, making it a fitting symbol of ultimate earthly value. In biblical contexts, topaz is also listed among the stones in the high priest's breastplate [Exodus 28:17](/exodus/28-17 "Exodus 28:17 - Stones on the Breastplate") and among the treasures of Tyre [Ezekiel 28:13](/ekekiel/28-13 "Ezekiel 28:13 - Treasures of Tyre").
* **Ethiopia (Hebrew, _Kûš_):** Known as Kush in ancient texts, this region south of Egypt was famed for its abundant gold, precious stones, and other valuable commodities. Its inclusion here emphasizes the exotic, distant, and highly prized origin of the topaz, further enhancing its value in the ancient mind. The "topaz of Ethiopia" would have been understood as the finest and most valuable of its kind.
* **Pure gold (Hebrew, _ketem_):** This term denotes the finest, most unadulterated gold, often implying refined or solid gold. Unlike common gold, _ketem_ represents the pinnacle of material wealth and purity, serving as the ultimate standard by which other valuables were measured. Its pairing with the "topaz of Ethiopia" creates a powerful dual symbol of the absolute greatest earthly treasures.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The topaz of Ethiopia shall not equal it":** This clause establishes a direct comparison between the most highly prized gemstone known in the ancient world and "it," referring to wisdom from the preceding verses. The phrase "shall not equal it" (לֹא תְסֻלֶּה, _lōʾ ṯesulle_ - "it cannot be weighed out/valued") signifies that the topaz, despite its immense worth, cannot even begin to be put on the same scale as wisdom. It is utterly inferior and incomparable in value.
* **"neither shall it be valued with pure gold":** This second clause reinforces and intensifies the declaration of the first. "Pure gold" represents the absolute zenith of material wealth. The phrase "neither shall it be valued with" (וְלֹא יִשָּׁקֵל, _wəlōʾ yiššāqēl_ - "nor shall it be weighed") reiterates that wisdom cannot be purchased, exchanged, or even measured against the most precious and universal standard of wealth. The repetition emphasizes the absolute transcendence of wisdom over all earthly possessions.

#### Literary Devices
Job 28:19 is rich in **Hyperbole**, a literary device used to exaggerate for emphasis. By stating that even the most valuable earthly treasures—the topaz of Ethiopia and pure gold—cannot equal or be valued against wisdom, the text employs extreme overstatement to underscore wisdom's immeasurable worth. This hyperbole is further strengthened by **Parallelism**, specifically synonymous parallelism, where the second clause ("neither shall it be valued with pure gold") reiterates and intensifies the meaning of the first ("The topaz of Ethiopia shall not equal it"). Both clauses convey the same core message of incomparability, reinforcing the idea from different angles. Additionally, the verse uses **Metaphor/Symbolism**, where the tangible, highly valued gemstones and gold serve as concrete symbols for all material wealth and human achievement, contrasting them with the abstract, divine concept of wisdom. This symbolic contrast highlights the spiritual and eternal nature of wisdom versus the temporal and finite nature of material possessions.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 28:19 profoundly articulates a central biblical truth: divine wisdom far surpasses all earthly wealth and human achievement. This verse, situated within a chapter that extols human ingenuity in extracting the earth's treasures, ultimately pivots to declare that such prowess is futile in acquiring true wisdom. Wisdom is presented not as a commodity to be bought or discovered through human effort, but as a divine revelation, rooted in the very nature of God. This theological assertion challenges humanity's tendency to prioritize material gain and intellectual prowess, redirecting focus to the ultimate source of all understanding. The inestimable value of wisdom, as expressed here, sets the stage for a biblical worldview where spiritual insight and alignment with God's truth are paramount, offering a security and richness that no earthly possession can provide.

* [Proverbs 3:14-15](/proverbs/3-14 "Proverbs 3:14-15 - Wisdom's Value Over Gold and Rubies")
* [Proverbs 8:10-11](/proverbs/8-10 "Proverbs 8:10-11 - Wisdom Better Than Silver and Gold")
* [Proverbs 9:10](/proverbs/9-10 "Proverbs 9:10 - The Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Wisdom")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 28:19 serves as a powerful call to re-evaluate our priorities in a world often consumed by the pursuit of material wealth and fleeting achievements. The ancient world valued topaz and pure gold as the ultimate symbols of prosperity and security, much as we today might value financial portfolios, luxury goods, or career success. Yet, this verse unequivocally declares that true wisdom, divine wisdom, utterly dwarfs all such earthly treasures. For the believer, this means shifting our primary pursuit from accumulating possessions to earnestly seeking God's wisdom, understanding that it provides a lasting security, profound insight, and true flourishing that no amount of money can buy. It encourages us to invest our time, energy, and resources not primarily in what perishes, but in cultivating a deeper knowledge of God and His ways, recognizing that in Him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. This wisdom guides our decisions, shapes our character, and provides an eternal perspective that anchors us amidst life's uncertainties.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What earthly "treasures" or pursuits do I currently prioritize, and how do they compare to my pursuit of divine wisdom?**
* **In what practical ways can I actively seek and cultivate God's wisdom in my daily life?**
* **How might embracing the incomparable value of wisdom change my perspective on success, security, and true fulfillment?**
* **What specific areas of my life need the guiding light of God's wisdom, and how am I inviting Him into those areas?**

### FAQ
**Why does Job 28 focus so much on mining and precious stones before talking about wisdom?**

Answer: The chapter's detailed description of human ingenuity in mining serves as a powerful literary contrast. It highlights humanity's remarkable ability to conquer the physical world, extracting its deepest and most valuable treasures. This impressive human capability then sets up the profound rhetorical question: if humanity can achieve so much in the material realm, why can it not find wisdom on its own? The juxtaposition underscores that wisdom is not a material commodity to be unearthed or bought, but something of an entirely different, divine origin, thus emphasizing its unique and transcendent value.

**What kind of "wisdom" is being discussed in Job 28:19? Is it just human intelligence?**

Answer: The "wisdom" in Job 28, and particularly in verse 19, is not merely human intelligence, cleverness, or practical skill. While the chapter acknowledges human ingenuity in mining, the wisdom it ultimately extols is divine, transcendent wisdom—the comprehensive understanding of God's ways, His purposes, and the moral order of the universe. It is the wisdom that belongs to God alone and is revealed by Him. This wisdom encompasses not just knowledge, but also discernment, righteousness, and the ability to live in harmony with God's will, ultimately leading to true life and understanding, as hinted at in [Job 28:28](/job/28-28 "Job 28:28 - The Fear of the Lord is Wisdom").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job 28:19, with its declaration of wisdom's unparalleled value over all earthly treasures, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While the Old Testament often personifies wisdom as a divine attribute or a pre-existent entity, the New Testament reveals that all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Christ [Colossians 2:3](/colossians/2-3 "Colossians 2:3 - All Treasures of Wisdom in Christ"). He is not merely a wise teacher, but the very embodiment of God's wisdom, the one through whom all things were created [John 1:1-3](/john/1-1 "John 1:1-3 - The Word Was God and Creator"). For the believer, the pursuit of wisdom is therefore the pursuit of Christ Himself, who has been made to us wisdom from God, along with righteousness, sanctification, and redemption [1_corinthians/1-30](/1-corinthians/1-30 "1 Corinthians 1:30 - Christ Our Wisdom"). Just as Job 28:19 asserts that no earthly treasure can equal wisdom, so too does the New Covenant proclaim that no worldly possession, achievement, or philosophy can compare to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus our Lord [Philippians 3:8](/philippians/3-8 "Philippians 3:8 - Surpassing Worth of Knowing Christ"). In Him, the divine wisdom that was hidden from human eyes is fully revealed, offering a treasure of eternal life and understanding that far outweighs all the gold and precious stones of the earth.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Exodus 39:10

And they set in it four rows of stones: [the first] row [was] a sardius, a topaz, and a carbuncle: this [was] the first row.

Ezekiel 28:13

Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone [was] thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created.

Proverbs 8:19

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

Exodus 28:17

And thou shalt set in it settings of stones, [even] four rows of stones: [the first] row [shall be] a sardius, a topaz, and a carbuncle: [this shall be] the first row.

Revelation 21:20

The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst.