Job 28:27

Then did he see it, and declare it; he prepared it, yea, and searched it out.

Then did he see {H7200} it, and declare {H5608} it; he prepared {H3559} it, yea, and searched it out {H2713}.

then he saw [wisdom] and declared it, yes, he set it up and searched it out.

then He looked at wisdom and appraised it; He established it and searched it out.

Then did he see it, and declare it; He established it, yea, and searched it out.

Job 28:27 is the concluding verse of a profound poetic interlude in the Book of Job, where the speaker (likely Job himself, or the narrator) reflects on the elusive nature of true wisdom. After describing humanity's diligent, yet ultimately limited, search for precious metals deep within the earth (Job 28:1-11) and contrasting it with the unsearchable price of wisdom (Job 28:12-22), this chapter culminates in the revelation of God's unique and exclusive understanding of wisdom.

Context

Chapter 28 stands as a magnificent hymn to wisdom, distinct from the ongoing dialogue between Job and his friends. It highlights humanity's great ingenuity in exploring the earth for material treasures but asserts that wisdom cannot be bought or found in the physical world. The passage builds towards the climax where it's declared that only God truly knows the path to wisdom. Verses 23-26 emphasize God's comprehensive knowledge of all creation – from the ends of the earth to the weight of the wind and the measure of the waters – setting the stage for verse 27, which states God's relationship with wisdom itself. It’s God who fully comprehends and establishes wisdom, not man.

Key Themes

  • God's Exclusive Possession of Wisdom: This verse unequivocally states that wisdom belongs to God alone. He is not merely wise, but the very source and perfect possessor of all wisdom. Humanity, despite its impressive achievements, cannot fully grasp wisdom independently.
  • Divine Comprehension and Establishment: The verbs "see," "declare," "prepared," and "searched it out" emphasize God's absolute and exhaustive understanding of wisdom. He doesn't discover it; He originates, comprehends, and meticulously establishes it as a fundamental principle of creation.
  • Wisdom Woven into Creation: The preceding verses link God's wisdom to His ordering of the natural world. This suggests that divine wisdom is not an abstract concept but is intrinsically tied to the very fabric and laws of the universe God created.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew verbs used in this verse convey a powerful sense of God's complete mastery over wisdom:

  • "see" (רָאָה, ra'ah): More than just visual perception, this implies full comprehension and understanding. God doesn't just glimpse wisdom; He perceives it entirely.
  • "declare" (סָפַר, saphar): This verb can mean "to count," "to recount," or "to declare/make known." In this context, it suggests that God precisely measured, ordered, and perhaps even revealed or established wisdom.
  • "prepared" (כּוּן, kun): This signifies to establish, make firm, or confirm. God did not find wisdom; He set it in place as a foundational principle, much like how wisdom was with Him in creation.
  • "searched it out" (חָקַר, chaqar): While for humans this means to investigate or explore, when applied to God, it speaks to His inherent, exhaustive knowledge. It's not a process of discovery for the omniscient God, but an affirmation of His perfect, deep understanding of wisdom's every facet. It underscores that His judgments are unsearchable and His ways past finding out.

Practical Application

Job 28:27 profoundly impacts our understanding of wisdom and our place in the universe. It teaches us:

  • Humility: True wisdom is not a human achievement to be unearthed, but a divine attribute. This calls for humility in our pursuit of knowledge, acknowledging that our understanding is always finite compared to God's.
  • Divine Reliance: Since God is the sole possessor and source of wisdom, seeking wisdom ultimately means seeking Him. This aligns with the concluding verse of the chapter, Job 28:28, which states that "the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom."
  • The Value of God's Word: If God has declared and prepared wisdom, then His revealed Word is the primary means by which we can access and understand true wisdom for living, as it reflects His mind and principles.
  • Purpose in Creation: The order and design in the universe point to the wisdom of its Creator. Understanding this can lead to a deeper appreciation for God's sovereignty and intelligent design in all things.
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.

  • Psalms 19:1

    ¶ To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.

  • Proverbs 8:22

    ¶ The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.

  • Proverbs 8:29

    When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth:

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