Job 28:1-13

1 "There are mines where silver is found. There are places where gold is purified.

2 Iron is taken out of the earth. Copper is melted down from ore.

3 A miner lights up the darkness. He searches for ore in the deepest pits. He looks for it in the blackest darkness.

4 Far from where people live he cuts a tunnel. He does it in places where others don't go. Far away from people he swings back and forth on ropes.

5 Food grows on the surface of the earth. But far below, the earth is changed as if by fire.

6 Sapphires are taken from its rocks. Its dust contains nuggets of gold.

7 No bird knows the miner's hidden path. No falcon's eye has seen it.

8 Proud animals don't walk on it. Lions don't prowl there.

9 The miner attacks the hardest rock. His strong hands uncover the base of the mountains.

10 He tunnels through the rock. His eyes see all of its treasures.

11 He searches the places where the rivers begin. He brings hidden things out into the light.

12 "And where can wisdom be found? Where does understanding live?

13 No one knows how much it's worth. It can't be found anywhere in the world.

Job 28:1-13 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JOB 28

The design of this chapter is either to show the folly of such who are very diligent in their search and pursuit after earthly things, and neglect an inquiry after that which is infinitely more valuable, true wisdom; or rather to observe, that though things the most secret, and which are hidden in the bowels of the earth, may be investigated and discovered by the sagacity and diligence of men, yet wisdom cannot, especially the wisdom of God in his providences, which are past finding out; and particularly in what concerns the prosperity of the wicked, and the afflictions of the righteous; the reason of which men should be content to be ignorant of for the present, and be studious to possess that wisdom which is attainable, and be thankful for it, if they have it; which lies in the fear of the Lord, and a departure from evil, with which this chapter concludes. It begins with setting forth the sagacity of men in searching and finding out useful metals, and other things the earth produces; the difficulty, fatigue, and labour, that attend such a search, and the dangers they are exposed unto in it, Job 28:1-11; then it declares the unsearchableness of wisdom, its superior excellency to things the most valuable, and that it is not to be found by sea or land, or among any of the creatures, Job 28:12-22; and that God only knows its way and place, who has sought it out, prepared and declared it, Job 28:23-27; and that which he has thought fit to make known of it, and is most for his glory and the good of men, is, that it is to fear God, and depart from evil, Job 28:28.