Job 28:4-14

4 They open shafts in a valley away from where men live; they are forgotten by travelers, they hang afar from men, they swing to and fro.

5 As for the earth, out of it comes bread; but underneath it is turned up as by fire.

6 Its stones are the place of sapphires, and it has dust of gold.

7 "That path no bird of prey knows, and the falcon's eye has not seen it.

8 The proud beasts have not trodden it; the lion has not passed over it.

9 "Man puts his hand to the flinty rock, and overturns mountains by the roots.

10 He cuts out channels in the rocks, and his eye sees every precious thing.

11 He binds up the streams so that they do not trickle, and the thing that is hid he brings forth to light.

12 "But where shall wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding?

13 Man does not know the way to it, and it is not found in the land of the living.

14 The deep says, 'It is not in me,' and the sea says, 'It is not with me.'

Job 28:4-14 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.