Job 28:21

21 It is hidden from the eyes of every living thing, concealed even from the birds in the sky.

Job 28:21 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
21 Seeing it is hid from the eyes of all living, and kept close from the fowls of the air.
English Standard Version (ESV)
21 It is hidden from the eyes of all living and concealed from the birds of the air.
New Living Translation (NLT)
21 It is hidden from the eyes of all humanity. Even the sharp-eyed birds in the sky cannot discover it.
The Message Bible (MSG)
21 It can't be found by looking, no matter how deep you dig, no matter how high you fly.
American Standard Version (ASV)
21 Seeing it is hid from the eyes of all living, And kept close from the birds of the heavens.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
21 It is hidden from the eyes of every living being, hidden even from the birds in the air.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
21 It is hidden from the eyes of every living thing and concealed from the birds of the sky.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
21 It's hidden from the eyes of every living thing. Even the birds of the air can't find it.

Job 28:21 Meaning and Commentary

Job 28:21

Seeing it is hid from the eyes of all living
Meaning not the beasts of the field, as some interpret it; this makes the sentiment jejune and trifling; but rational creatures, men, so the Septuagint, Eve is said to be the mother of, ( Genesis 3:20 ) ; wisdom, as a perfection in God, displayed in his works of creation and providence, is but imperfectly known by men; and the secret reasons of his providential dealings with men, good and bad, are hid from all at present; and as for spiritual wisdom or godliness, and the Gospel of Christ, and Christ himself, they are hid from the eyes of all natural and carnal men, though ever so wise and prudent in other things:

and kept close from the fowls of the air,
or "heaven" F11; either the devils so called, because they dwell in the air, and are the posse or power of the air, ( Ephesians 2:2 ) ; and because of their ravenous and cruel disposition, and swiftness to do mischief; see ( Luke 8:5 Luke 8:12 ) ; or rather the holy angels, as Jarchi, whose habitation is in heaven, and who are swift to do the will of God, and are represented as having wings like fowls; though these know much, yet the wisdom of God in his providence, in the doctrines of the Gospel, and Christ himself, the Wisdom of God, are in a good measure hid from them; at least their knowledge is imperfect, and they are desirous of prying more into these things, ( 1 Peter 1:12 ) : unless men of the most piercing and penetrating geniuses, that soar aloft in the things of nature, and make the greatest discoveries therein, and yet know nothing of divine and spiritual things, of the arcanas of Providence or of grace, should be meant.


FOOTNOTES:

F11 (Mymvh) "caeli", Pagninus, Montanus

Job 28:21 In-Context

19 The topaz of Cush cannot compare with it; it cannot be bought with pure gold.
20 Where then does wisdom come from? Where does understanding dwell?
21 It is hidden from the eyes of every living thing, concealed even from the birds in the sky.
22 Destruction and Death say, “Only a rumor of it has reached our ears.”
23 God understands the way to it and he alone knows where it dwells,

Cross References 1

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