Job 28:9-19

9 En el pedernal puso su mano, y trastornó los montes de raíz

10 De los peñascos cortó ríos, y sus ojos vieron todo lo preciado

11 Detuvo los ríos en su nacimiento, e hizo salir a luz lo escondido

12 Mas ¿dónde se hallará la sabiduría? ¿Y dónde está el lugar del entendimiento

13 El hombre nunca supo su valor, ni se halla en la tierra de los vivientes

14 El abismo dice: No está en mí; y el mar dijo: Ni conmigo

15 No se dará por oro, ni su precio será a peso de plata

16 No puede ser apreciada con oro de Ofir, ni con ónice precioso, ni con zafiro

17 El oro no se le igualará, ni el diamante; ni se cambiará por vaso de oro fino

18 De coral ni de perlas no se hará mención; la sabiduría es mejor que las piedras preciosas

19 No se igualará con ella esmeralda de Etiopía; no se podrá apreciar con oro fino

Job 28:9-19 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.