Job 28:21

KJV

Seeing it is hid from the eyes of all living, and kept close from the fowls of the air.

KJV (with Strong's)

Seeing it is hid {H5956} from the eyes {H5869} of all living {H2416}, and kept close {H5641} from the fowls {H5775} of the air {H8064}.

Complete Jewish Bible

inasmuch as it is hidden from the eyes of all living and kept secret from the birds flying around in the sky?

Berean Standard Bible

It is hidden from the eyes of every living thing and concealed from the birds of the air.

American Standard Version

Seeing it is hid from the eyes of all living, And kept close from the birds of the heavens.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 28:21 stands as a poignant declaration within a profound poetic interlude that explores the nature and source of true wisdom. This verse asserts that genuine understanding, unlike the earthly treasures humanity so diligently unearths, remains utterly inaccessible through mere human effort, observation, or even the keenest natural perception. It underscores the profound elusiveness of divine wisdom, setting it apart as a domain exclusively known and comprehended by God alone.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Chapter 28 of Job is a unique and self-contained poetic masterpiece, often referred to as the "Hymn to Wisdom." It functions as an interlude, distinct from the ongoing dialogue between Job and his friends, and serves as a theological pivot point in the book. The chapter begins by marveling at humanity's remarkable ingenuity in mining precious metals and stones from the earth's deepest, darkest recesses, showcasing their mastery over the physical world. However, it then shifts dramatically, posing the 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 Elusiveness of Wisdom"). Verses 13-19 emphatically state that wisdom cannot be bought with gold or silver, nor is it found in the deep or the sea. Verse 21, therefore, serves as a crucial reinforcement of wisdom's inaccessibility to all created beings, leading directly to the chapter's climax where God alone is declared to know its path and place [Job 28:23](/job/28-23 "Job 28:23 - God's Knowledge of Wisdom").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Book of Job is set in the ancient Near East, likely in the patriarchal period, reflecting a culture deeply engaged with the pursuit of wisdom. Wisdom literature was a prominent genre across the ancient world, including Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Israel (e.g., Proverbs, Ecclesiastes). The detailed description of mining operations in the early part of the chapter [Job 28:1-11](/job/28-1-11 "Job 28:1-11 - Human Ingenuity in Mining") reflects a sophisticated understanding of ancient metallurgy and engineering. This context highlights humanity's impressive capabilities in mastering the material world. By contrasting this earthly ingenuity with the inability to find wisdom, the text emphasizes that divine wisdom operates on a different plane, beyond human discovery. The imagery of "fowls of the air" might also subtly allude to ancient beliefs about birds as observers or carriers of knowledge, further emphasizing that even the most perceptive natural creatures cannot grasp this hidden truth.

* **Key Themes:** Job 28:21 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the Book of Job and biblical wisdom literature. Primarily, it underscores **the elusiveness and transcendence of true wisdom**, establishing that it is not a commodity to be discovered or acquired through human effort or intellect, but rather a divine attribute and revelation. This highlights **human limitation** in comprehending ultimate truth, contrasting humanity's impressive earthly achievements with its inherent inability to grasp divine mysteries. The verse also implicitly points to **divine prerogative**, setting the stage for the chapter's conclusion that only God "understands its way and knows its place" [Job 28:23](/job/28-23 "Job 28:23 - God's Understanding of Wisdom's Path"). This theme aligns with the broader biblical teaching that "the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom" [Job 28:28](/job/28-28 "Job 28:28 - The Fear of the Lord is Wisdom"), positioning God as the exclusive source and possessor of ultimate wisdom, a truth echoed throughout scripture, such as in [Proverbs 2:6](/proverbs/2-6 "Proverbs 2:6 - The Lord Gives Wisdom").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Hid (Hebrew, _sātar'_):** This verb means "to conceal, hide, keep secret." It implies an intentional act of concealment, suggesting that wisdom is not merely undiscovered but actively withheld from human perception. This is not a matter of human inadequacy alone, but of divine design.
* **Kept close (Hebrew, _ne‘elĕmāh'_):** Derived from the verb _‘ālam_, meaning "to hide, be hidden, concealed." This term reinforces and intensifies the idea conveyed by "hid." It emphasizes the deep, profound, and absolute nature of wisdom's inaccessibility, suggesting something entirely beyond human reach or comprehension.
* **Fowls of the air (Hebrew, _‘ōph haššāmayim'_):** This phrase refers to birds, creatures renowned for their keen eyesight and ability to survey vast landscapes from elevated vantage points. Their inclusion here is a powerful rhetorical device, representing the epitome of natural observation and perception. By stating that wisdom is hidden even from them, the text uses hyperbole to underscore its utter transcendence beyond any created being's natural capacity for discovery.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Seeing it is hid from the eyes of all living,"**: This clause establishes the universal inaccessibility of wisdom. "All living" encompasses humanity and all other creatures, emphasizing that no created being, regardless of their intelligence or sensory acuity, can naturally perceive or discover true wisdom. The phrase "from the eyes" metaphorically refers to perception, understanding, and discovery, highlighting that wisdom is not merely difficult to find but is intentionally concealed from all natural means of discernment.
* **"and kept close from the fowls of the air."**: This second clause functions as a poetic reinforcement and intensification of the first. By specifically mentioning "fowls of the air," known for their elevated perspective and sharp vision, the text employs hyperbole to underscore the absolute nature of wisdom's concealment. If even creatures with the keenest natural senses and highest vantage points cannot perceive it, then its hiddenness is complete and undeniable, transcending all earthly means of discovery.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message. **Parallelism** is evident in the two clauses, "hid from the eyes of all living" and "kept close from the fowls of the air," which are synonymous, reinforcing the same idea of wisdom's inaccessibility through different but complementary imagery. This repetition emphasizes the absolute nature of its hiddenness. **Hyperbole** is skillfully used by including "the fowls of the air," creatures known for their superior vision and elevated perspective. By stating that wisdom is hidden even from them, the text exaggerates to underscore that wisdom is utterly beyond any natural means of discovery, no matter how keen one's perception or how far one searches. Furthermore, the verse uses **metaphor**, as "eyes" represent not just physical sight but also intellectual perception and understanding. Wisdom itself is almost **personified** as something that can be intentionally "hid" and "kept close," implying a deliberate act of concealment by its divine possessor.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 28:21 is a profound theological statement on the nature of divine wisdom and human limitations. It asserts that true wisdom is not an inherent human capacity or a discovery waiting to be made through scientific inquiry or philosophical reasoning, but rather a transcendent reality that originates with God and is known fully only by Him. This perspective humbles humanity, reminding us that despite our impressive intellectual and technological achievements, there are ultimate truths that remain beyond our grasp without divine revelation. It sets the stage for the understanding that wisdom is not found in the material world or through human ingenuity, but through a relationship with the divine. The verse prepares the reader for the conclusion that the "fear of the Lord" is the beginning of wisdom, shifting the search from external exploration to internal, spiritual reverence and obedience.

* [Proverbs 2:6](/proverbs/2-6 "Proverbs 2:6 - The Lord Gives Wisdom")
* [Isaiah 55:8-9](/isaiah/55-8-9 "Isaiah 55:8-9 - God's Thoughts and Ways are Higher than Ours")
* [Romans 11:33](/romans/11-33 "Romans 11:33 - The Unsearchable Riches of God's Wisdom")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 28:21 serves as a profound call to humility in our pursuit of knowledge and understanding. In an age that often prioritizes human intellect, scientific discovery, and technological advancement, this verse reminds us that the deepest, most foundational truths about life, purpose, and reality are not accessible through human effort alone. It challenges us to recognize the limits of our own perception and to acknowledge that true wisdom ultimately resides with God. For believers, this means shifting our reliance from purely intellectual endeavors to a posture of dependence on divine revelation. It encourages us to seek wisdom not in the hidden depths of the earth or the farthest reaches of the sky, but in the revealed Word of God and through the guidance of the Holy Spirit. This verse underscores the importance of a reverent, worshipful approach to knowledge, recognizing that wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord and is graciously bestowed by Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life do I tend to rely solely on my own intellect or human wisdom, rather than seeking divine insight?**
* **How does the idea that true wisdom is "hid" from human eyes shape my approach to understanding life's mysteries and challenges?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate a greater dependence on God's wisdom in my daily decisions and spiritual growth?**

### FAQ
**Does this verse suggest that humans cannot gain any wisdom at all?**

Answer: No, Job 28:21 does not suggest that humans cannot gain any wisdom. Rather, it emphasizes that *true*, ultimate, and divine wisdom—the kind that comprehends the very essence of existence and God's sovereign plan—is not discoverable by natural human means or observation. Humanity is capable of great ingenuity and understanding in the natural world, as the preceding verses in [Job 28:1-11](/job/28-1-11 "Job 28:1-11 - Human Ingenuity in Mining") demonstrate. However, the wisdom being discussed here is of a different order, a transcendent wisdom that originates with God and is revealed by Him, not unearthed or observed by created beings. It sets a boundary on human autonomy in the pursuit of ultimate truth, directing us towards God as the sole source of such profound understanding, as stated in [Proverbs 2:6](/proverbs/2-6 "Proverbs 2:6 - The Lord Gives Wisdom").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job 28:21, declaring wisdom to be hidden from all living, finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While Old Testament wisdom was elusive and often veiled, Christ is revealed as the very embodiment of divine wisdom. [1 Corinthians 1:24](/1_corinthians/1-24 "1 Corinthians 1:24 - Christ the Wisdom of God") proclaims Him as "Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God." What was hidden from the "eyes of all living" is now made manifest in Him. [Colossians 2:2-3](/colossians/2-2 "Colossians 2:2-3 - Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge") reveals that "in Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge," yet these treasures are *in Him* for us to discover by faith. The mystery of God's wisdom, once concealed, has been unveiled through Christ's incarnation, life, death, and resurrection ([Ephesians 3:9-10](/ephesians/3-9-10 "Ephesians 3:9-10 - The Mystery Revealed in Christ")). The Holy Spirit, sent by Christ, now illuminates our understanding, guiding us into all truth and revealing the "deep things of God" which no human eye or mind could ever discern on its own ([1 Corinthians 2:10-12](/1_corinthians/2-10-12 "1 Corinthians 2:10-12 - The Spirit Reveals God's Wisdom")). Thus, the hidden wisdom of Job 28:21 is no longer entirely inaccessible, but is graciously revealed to those who are "in Christ," who is Himself the wisdom of God made visible and understandable to humanity.

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

Psalms 49:3

My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart [shall be] of understanding.

Psalms 49:4

I will incline mine ear to a parable: I will open my dark saying upon the harp.

1 Corinthians 2:7

But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, [even] the hidden [wisdom], which God ordained before the world unto our glory:

1 Corinthians 2:10

But God hath revealed [them] unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

Matthew 11:25

¶ At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.

Colossians 2:3

In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Matthew 13:17

For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous [men] have desired to see [those things] which ye see, and have not seen [them]; and to hear [those things] which ye hear, and have not heard [them].