Job 28:15

15 One shall not give fine gold instead of it, neither shall silver be weighed in exchange for it.

Job 28:15 Meaning and Commentary

Job 28:15

It cannot be gotten for gold
Having in general said that there is nothing in the whole compass of the terraqueous globe, nothing that is upon the surface of the earth, or in the bowels of it, or in the vast ocean, that is an equivalent price for wisdom, Job descends to particulars, and instances first in gold, that being the most valuable of metals; the word here used for it signifies "shut up" F23, because it is first shut up in the earth, out of which it is dug, and when taken from thence, and refined, and made into coins or vessels, it is shut up among the treasures of men; the words may be more literally rendered, "gold shall not be given instead of it" F24; as a sufficient price, or valuable consideration for it:

neither shall silver be weighed [for] the price thereof;
in former times this metal used to be delivered, in buying and selling, not by the number and value of pieces, but by weight, in rude masses and lumps, and even when coined into shekels; see ( Genesis 23:16 ) .


FOOTNOTES:

F23 (rwgo) (sugkleismon) , Sept. "conclusum", Tigurine version; "clausum", Bolducius.
F24 (hytxt-zty al) "non dabitur pro ea", V. L. Montanus, Schultens.

Job 28:15 In-Context

13 A mortal has not known its way, neither indeed has it been discovered among men.
14 The depth said, It is not in me: and the sea said, It is not with me.
15 One shall not give fine gold instead of it, neither shall silver be weighed in exchange for it.
16 Neither shall it be compared with gold of Sophir, with the precious onyx and sapphire.
17 Gold and crystal shall not be equalled to it, neither shall vessels of gold be its exchange.

The Brenton translation of the Septuagint is in the public domain.