Job 28:22

KJV

Destruction and death say, We have heard the fame thereof with our ears.

KJV (with Strong's)

Destruction {H11} and death {H4194} say {H559}, We have heard {H8085} the fame {H8088} thereof with our ears {H241}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Destruction and Death say, 'We have heard a rumor about it with our ears.'

Berean Standard Bible

Abaddon and Death say, ‘We have heard a rumor about it.’

American Standard Version

Destruction and Death say, We have heard a rumor thereof with our ears.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 28:22 stands as a pivotal declaration within Job's profound poetic discourse on the nature and source of wisdom, asserting that even the ultimate forces of "Destruction" and "Death" acknowledge wisdom's existence, though they have only "heard" of it. This statement powerfully underscores wisdom's transcendence beyond the reach of human discovery, even by those entities that consume all life, setting the stage for the chapter's ultimate conclusion that true wisdom originates solely with God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within Job's magnificent poetic soliloquy in [Job 28](/job/28 "Job 28 - The Elusive Nature of Wisdom"), a chapter widely considered a literary masterpiece. Coming after the intense dialogues with his friends, Job shifts his focus from his personal suffering to a universal philosophical inquiry into the nature and source of wisdom. The chapter opens by marveling at humanity's impressive ingenuity in extracting precious minerals from the earth's deepest recesses, describing in vivid detail the arduous and dangerous work of miners. This human ability to conquer the physical world stands in stark contrast to the profound inability of humanity to locate or comprehend true wisdom. [Verses 28:12-21](/job/28-12-21 "Job 28:12-21 - Wisdom's Inaccessibility") pose a series of rhetorical questions about wisdom's whereabouts, emphatically stating that it cannot be found in the land of the living, nor can it be purchased with any earthly treasure. Verse 22, therefore, serves as a climactic statement in this argument, personifying "Destruction and Death" as witnesses to wisdom's elusive nature, further emphasizing its unreachability by any created entity. The chapter then moves to reveal that only [God understands wisdom's way](/job/28-23 "Job 28:23 - God Understands Wisdom's Way") and possesses it, ultimately providing it to humanity through the fear of the Lord ([Job 28:28](/job/28-28 "Job 28:28 - The Fear of the Lord is Wisdom")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Near Eastern cultures, including Israel, highly valued wisdom, often personifying it as a divine attribute or a foundational principle of creation. Wisdom literature, as exemplified by Job, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes, was a significant genre. The concept of "destruction and death" would have resonated deeply within a cultural context where mortality was a constant reality and the realm of the dead (Sheol) was understood as an inescapable destination. The Hebrew concept of Sheol, while not always a place of torment, was universally recognized as the "land of no return," a place where all human endeavors ceased. The detailed descriptions of mining operations in [Job 28:1-11](/job/28-1-11 "Job 28:1-11 - Human Ingenuity in Mining") reflect the advanced metallurgical skills and mining techniques present in the ancient world, where the extraction of copper, gold, and precious stones was a perilous but vital enterprise. By contrasting humanity's mastery over the physical earth with its utter inability to grasp wisdom, Job draws upon common experiences and understandings to highlight a profound theological truth.
* **Key Themes:** Job 28:22 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Job and biblical wisdom literature. First, it powerfully reinforces **The Inaccessibility and Transcendence of True Wisdom**. Even the most universal and ultimate experiences of existence—destruction and death—cannot possess wisdom directly, only hear a report of it, underscoring its divine, uncreated nature beyond human or even cosmic grasp. Second, the verse highlights the **Limits of Human Understanding and Endeavor**. Despite humanity's remarkable achievements in mastering the physical world (as detailed in [Job 28:1-11](/job/28-1-11 "Job 28:1-11 - Human Ingenuity in Mining")), there are inherent boundaries to what human intellect and effort alone can discover, especially concerning ultimate truths and divine mysteries. Third, the personification of "Destruction and Death" emphasizes **Wisdom's Uniqueness and Otherworldliness**, suggesting it belongs to a realm beyond the natural order that governs all life and its end. Finally, by stating that even these forces have only "heard" of wisdom, the verse sets up the ultimate revelation that **Wisdom's Origin is Solely Divine**, as only [God knows its source and path](/job/28-23-27 "Job 28:23-27 - God Alone Possesses Wisdom"), and true wisdom for humanity is found in the fear of the Lord ([Job 28:28](/job/28-28 "The Fear of the Lord is Wisdom")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Destruction (Hebrew, _ʼăbaddôwn'_):** The Hebrew word אֲבַדּוֹן (_ʼăbaddôwn'_) is an intensive form meaning "a perishing" or "destruction." It can refer to a state of ruin or, concretely, to Hades or the realm of the dead. Its pairing with "death" here creates a powerful personification of the ultimate end of all things. In later texts, particularly in the New Testament, it is transliterated into Greek as "Abaddon" and used as a proper name for the angel of the bottomless pit ([Revelation 9:11](/revelation/9-11 "Revelation 9:11 - Abaddon, Angel of the Bottomless Pit")). Here, it represents a cosmic force or entity that encompasses the ultimate decay and undoing of all life.
* **Death (Hebrew, _mâveth'_):** The Hebrew word מָוֶת (_mâveth'_) is the standard term for "death," encompassing natural or violent death, the state of being dead, or the personification of death itself. It can also figuratively refer to pestilence or ruin. When paired with _ʼăbaddôwn'_, it reinforces the idea of ultimate cessation and the inescapable end for all living things. Together, "Destruction and Death" represent the most profound and universal experiences of human limitation and finality. Their testimony about wisdom is therefore incredibly significant: if even these all-consuming forces cannot grasp wisdom directly, then it truly transcends all created existence.
* **Fame (Hebrew, _shêmaʻ'_):** The Hebrew word שֵׁמַע (_shêmaʻ'_), translated as "fame" or "report" in this context, signifies "something heard," such as a sound, rumor, announcement, or tidings. It implies indirect knowledge, a secondhand account, or a reputation. This is crucial for the verse's meaning: Destruction and Death do not possess wisdom, nor do they comprehend it directly. They have merely received a report or a rumor about it, suggesting that wisdom exists in a realm entirely beyond their dominion and direct experience. This emphasizes wisdom's transcendence and elusiveness from all created entities.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Destruction and death say":** This clause introduces a powerful personification. "Destruction" (_ʼăbaddôwn'_) and "Death" (_mâveth'_), typically abstract concepts or states, are given agency and voice. They are depicted as sentient beings capable of speech, serving as ultimate witnesses to a profound truth. By giving voice to these universal and inescapable forces, Job elevates the significance of their testimony. If even the very end of all things acknowledges wisdom, it speaks to wisdom's profound reality and existence beyond the realm of the living.
* **"We have heard the fame thereof with our ears":** This second clause reveals the extent of "Destruction" and "Death's" knowledge concerning wisdom. They do not claim to possess wisdom, to understand it, or to have discovered its dwelling place. Instead, they merely state that they have "heard the fame thereof" or "a report concerning it." The phrase "with our ears" emphasizes that their knowledge is purely auditory and indirect, not experiential or inherent. This powerfully underscores wisdom's inaccessibility to all created beings, even those that represent the ultimate boundaries of existence. It implies that wisdom's true nature and origin lie in a realm beyond their grasp, a realm that can only be God's.

#### Literary Devices
Job 28:22 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. The most prominent is **Personification**, where abstract concepts of "Destruction" and "Death" are given human attributes, specifically the ability to "say" and "hear." This device makes the abstract concrete and lends immense weight to their testimony; if even these ultimate, all-consuming forces cannot grasp wisdom, it emphasizes wisdom's extraordinary transcendence. Related to this is **Anthropomorphism**, attributing human characteristics to non-human entities. The statement also contains an element of **Irony** and **Contrast**: humanity, with all its ingenuity in conquering the earth's depths, cannot find wisdom, and even "Destruction and Death," which claim all life, only have a secondhand report of it. This stark contrast highlights the unique and elusive nature of true wisdom. Furthermore, the verse contributes to the chapter's overarching **Rhetorical Question** structure, which repeatedly asks "Where can wisdom be found?" ([Job 28:12](/job/28-12 "Job 28:12 - Where is Wisdom Found?")). By having "Destruction and Death" offer a negative answer (they've only heard of it), the verse further builds the tension, preparing the reader for the ultimate revelation that only God knows wisdom's way.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 28:22 is a profound theological statement on the nature of wisdom, asserting its transcendence beyond all created realms and its ultimate divine origin. It contrasts human ingenuity and the limits of earthly existence with the boundless nature of true wisdom. This verse echoes a consistent biblical theme that true wisdom is not a human discovery or acquisition but a divine gift, rooted in God's own being and revealed through His will. It serves as a powerful reminder that while humanity can achieve remarkable feats in the physical world, ultimate understanding of life's deepest mysteries and God's purposes remains beyond our grasp apart from divine revelation. The very forces of finality—destruction and death—bear witness to wisdom's existence beyond their domain, compelling the reader to look beyond the created order for its source.

* [Proverbs 2:6](/proverbs/2-6 "Proverbs 2:6 - The Lord Gives Wisdom")
* [Romans 11:33](/romans/11-33 "Romans 11:33 - The Depth of God's Wisdom")
* [1 Corinthians 1:20](/1_corinthians/1-20 "1 Corinthians 1:20 - Where is the Wise Person?")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 28:22 offers a timeless and humbling perspective on the limits of human knowledge and the profound superiority of divine wisdom. In a world saturated with information and driven by the relentless pursuit of knowledge, this verse serves as a crucial corrective. It challenges us to recognize that while human ingenuity can unlock many secrets of the physical universe, the deepest truths about life, purpose, and ultimate meaning cannot be excavated from the earth or discovered through mere intellectual prowess. True wisdom, the kind that brings lasting peace and understanding, originates from a source beyond our reach—God Himself. This calls for a posture of humility, acknowledging our inherent limitations and turning to God as the sole fount of genuine insight. It encourages us to prioritize seeking God's revealed truth, found in His Word and through His Spirit, over relying solely on our own intellect, worldly philosophies, or the ever-shifting currents of human opinion. The verse reminds us that the fear of the Lord, as the conclusion of Job 28 states, is the beginning of wisdom, guiding us to live lives aligned with divine purposes rather than futilely searching for ultimate answers in finite realms.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life am I relying solely on human ingenuity or worldly knowledge, rather than seeking divine wisdom?**
* **How does the concept of "Destruction and Death" only having heard of wisdom impact my understanding of God's transcendence and the nature of true wisdom?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate a posture of humility and a deeper reliance on God as the source of all wisdom?**
* **How does the pursuit of worldly knowledge, without the foundation of divine wisdom, fall short in addressing life's deepest questions?**

### FAQ
**Why does Job personify "Destruction and Death" in this verse?**

Answer: Job personifies "Destruction" (_ʼăbaddôwn'_) and "Death" (_mâveth'_) to emphasize the profound transcendence and inaccessibility of true wisdom. By giving voice to these ultimate, all-consuming forces that claim all life, Job creates powerful witnesses. If even these entities, which represent the very limits of existence and the end of all human endeavor, cannot directly possess or comprehend wisdom but have only "heard a report" of it, then it underscores that wisdom truly belongs to a realm beyond all created things. This literary device heightens the mystery and divine nature of wisdom, setting the stage for the revelation that only [God understands its way](/job/28-23 "God Understands Wisdom's Way"). It's a rhetorical strategy to show that wisdom is not found in the physical world or even in the realm of the dead, but in God alone.

**What is the main message of Job chapter 28 in relation to this verse?**

Answer: The main message of [Job chapter 28](/job/28 "Job 28 - The Elusive Nature of Wisdom") is that while humanity possesses remarkable ingenuity and skill in discovering and extracting earthly treasures, true wisdom is fundamentally different and cannot be found through human effort or purchased with any worldly riches. The chapter meticulously details humanity's ability to mine the earth's depths, highlighting our capacity to master the physical world. However, it then poses the rhetorical question of where wisdom can be found, concluding through a series of emphatic negations (like [Job 28:12-21](/job/28-12-21 "Job 28:12-21 - Wisdom's Inaccessibility")) and the testimony of "Destruction and Death" in [Job 28:22](/job/28-22 "Job 28:22 - Destruction and Death Hear of Wisdom") that wisdom is beyond human discovery. The chapter culminates in the powerful declaration that [God alone knows the path to wisdom](/job/28-23 "God Understands Wisdom's Way") and that for humanity, wisdom is found in the "fear of the Lord" and "to turn away from evil" ([Job 28:28](/job/28-28 "Job 28:28 - The Fear of the Lord is Wisdom")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job 28:22, in its powerful assertion that even "Destruction and Death" merely "hear" of wisdom, points profoundly to the ultimate source of true wisdom found only in God, and ultimately, revealed and embodied in Jesus Christ. The Old Testament's search for wisdom, so eloquently articulated in Job 28, finds its complete and perfect fulfillment in the person of Christ. While Job concludes that wisdom is found in the fear of the Lord, the New Testament reveals that Jesus is not merely a wise teacher or a pathway to wisdom, but He *is* wisdom itself. As [1 Corinthians 1:24](/1_corinthians/1-24 "1 Corinthians 1:24 - Christ the Power and Wisdom of God") declares, Christ is "the power of God and the wisdom of God." Furthermore, [Colossians 2:3](/colossians/2-3 "Colossians 2:3 - In Christ are Hidden All Treasures of Wisdom") states that "in him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." The wisdom that eluded even "Destruction and Death" is fully present and accessible in Christ, who is the very Word of God made flesh ([John 1:1-3](/john/1-1-3 "John 1:1-3 - The Word Was God")). Through His life, death, and resurrection, Christ not only reveals God's ultimate wisdom in salvation but also empowers believers with true wisdom through the indwelling Holy Spirit ([1 Corinthians 2:10-13](/1_corinthians/2-10-13 "1 Corinthians 2:10-13 - The Spirit Reveals God's Wisdom")). Thus, the elusive wisdom of Job 28 is no longer a distant rumor but a living reality, fully manifested in the person of Jesus, who offers Himself as the source of all true understanding and life to those who believe ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus the Way, Truth, and Life")).

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

Job 26:6

Hell [is] naked before him, and destruction hath no covering.

Psalms 83:10

[Which] perished at Endor: they became [as] dung for the earth.

Psalms 83:12

Who said, Let us take to ourselves the houses of God in possession.

Job 28:14

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