Job 28:28

And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that [is] wisdom; and to depart from evil [is] understanding.

And unto man {H120} he said {H559}, Behold, the fear {H3374} of the Lord {H136}, that is wisdom {H2451}; and to depart {H5493} from evil {H7451} is understanding {H998}.

And to human beings he said, 'Look, fear of Adonai is wisdom! Shunning evil is understanding!'"

And He said to man, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.’”

And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; And to depart from evil is understanding.

Commentary

Job 28:28 (KJV) delivers a profound summary of divine wisdom, acting as the capstone to a chapter that explores the elusive nature of true understanding.

Context of Job 28:28

Chapter 28 of the Book of Job is a magnificent poetic interlude, a "Hymn to Wisdom," distinct from the ongoing dialogues between Job and his friends. It describes humanity's remarkable ability to mine the earth for its hidden treasures—silver, gold, precious stones—delving into the deepest parts of the earth. However, the chapter powerfully contrasts this human ingenuity with the inaccessibility of true wisdom. Man can find earthly riches, but wisdom's source and path remain hidden from all living things, even the birds of the air and the beasts of the field. Only God fully comprehends and knows the way to wisdom, for He established the natural order and saw wisdom's foundation. This culminating verse reveals God's ultimate declaration to humanity about where true wisdom resides, emphasizing that it is not found in creation but revealed by the Creator.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Source of True Wisdom: The verse unequivocally states that genuine wisdom does not come from human intellect, earthly exploration, or material wealth. Instead, it is revealed by God and rooted in one's relationship with Him.
  • The Fear of the Lord: This central concept, often misunderstood as mere terror, refers to a deep, reverential awe, respect, and submission to God's sovereignty, holiness, and majesty. It implies acknowledging His authority and living in accordance with His will. This profound reverence for God is identified as true wisdom.
  • Departing from Evil: The verse links understanding not just to intellectual comprehension but to moral action. To "depart from evil" signifies a practical, ethical application of wisdom—turning away from sin and choosing righteousness. This demonstrates that true understanding is not merely theoretical but is lived out through obedience and a transformed life.
  • Divine Revelation: The phrase "And unto man he said" emphasizes that this ultimate truth about wisdom is not something humanity discovers on its own but is a divine revelation, a direct pronouncement from the Creator.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew terms used in this verse provide deeper meaning:

  • "Fear of the Lord" (יִרְאַת יְהוָה, yir’at Yahweh): This phrase encapsulates a posture of humility, reverence, and obedience towards God. It is the foundational principle for a life lived in harmony with divine truth, not a cowering dread but a profound respect that leads to moral discernment.
  • "Wisdom" (חָכְמָה, chokmah): In the Old Testament, chokmah is more than just intellectual knowledge; it denotes practical skill, discernment, and moral insight. It's the ability to live skillfully and righteously in God's world.
  • "Understanding" (בִּינָה, binah): This term refers to discernment, insight, and the ability to distinguish between right and wrong, good and evil. It's the practical application of wisdom, manifesting in one's choices and actions.

Related Scriptures

This verse is a cornerstone of biblical wisdom literature, echoing similar sentiments found throughout the Old Testament:

  • Proverbs 1:7 states, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge," directly aligning with Job's declaration.
  • Psalm 111:10 similarly affirms, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments."
  • The concept of departing from evil as a mark of wisdom is also seen in Proverbs 3:7.

Practical Application

For believers today, Job 28:28 offers timeless guidance on the pursuit of true wisdom and understanding:

  • Prioritize God: True wisdom begins not with human achievement or intellect, but with a reverent relationship with God. Our understanding of the world and our place in it flows from acknowledging His supreme authority and holiness.
  • Live Righteously: Genuine understanding is not just about knowing what is right but actively choosing to "depart from evil." It calls for moral courage and a commitment to living according to God's standards in all areas of life.
  • Seek Spiritual Discernment: In a world brimming with information, this verse reminds us that ultimate truth and discernment come from a divine source, not merely from worldly knowledge or human philosophy.

This verse serves as a powerful reminder that while humanity can achieve incredible feats, the most profound and essential wisdom for life is found in a humble, reverent surrender to God and a commitment to righteous living.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 111:10 (45 votes)

    The fear of the LORD [is] the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do [his commandments]: his praise endureth for ever.

  • Proverbs 1:7 (36 votes)

    ¶ The fear of the LORD [is] the beginning of knowledge: [but] fools despise wisdom and instruction.

  • Proverbs 9:10 (33 votes)

    The fear of the LORD [is] the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy [is] understanding.

  • Proverbs 3:7 (32 votes)

    ¶ Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.

  • Ecclesiastes 12:13 (25 votes)

    ¶ Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this [is] the whole [duty] of man.

  • Deuteronomy 4:6 (21 votes)

    Keep therefore and do [them]; for this [is] your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation [is] a wise and understanding people.

  • James 3:13 (19 votes)

    ¶ Who [is] a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.