Job 28:12-20 | JFB | STEP | 12. Can man discover the Divine Wisdom by which the world is governed, as he can the treasures hidden in the earth? Certainly not. Divine Wisdom is conceived as a person ( ) distinct from God ( ; also in , ). The Almighty Word, Jesus Christ, we know now, is that Wisdom. The order of the world was originated and is maintained by the breathing forth (Spirit) of Wisdom, unfathomable and unpurchasable by man. In , the only aspect of it, which relates to, and may be understood by, man, is stated. understanding-- insight into the plan of the divine government.

‏ Job 28:12-20

12. Can man discover the Divine Wisdom by which the world is governed, as he can the treasures hidden in the earth? Certainly not. Divine Wisdom is conceived as a person (Job 28:12-27) distinct from God (Job 28:23; also in Pr 8:23, 27). The Almighty Word, Jesus Christ, we know now, is that Wisdom. The order of the world was originated and is maintained by the breathing forth (Spirit) of Wisdom, unfathomable and unpurchasable by man. In Job 28:28, the only aspect of it, which relates to, and may be understood by, man, is stated.

understanding--insight into the plan of the divine government.

13. Man can fix no price upon it, as it is nowhere to be found in man's abode (Is 38:11). Job implies both its valuable worth, and the impossibility of buying it at any price.

15. Not the usual word for "gold"; from a Hebrew root, "to shut up" with care; that is, purest gold (1Ki 6:20, Margin).

weighed--The precious metals were weighed out before coining was known (Ge 23:16).

16. gold of Ophir--the most precious (See on Job 22:24 and Psa 45:9).

onyx--(Ge 2:12). More valued formerly than now. The term is Greek, meaning "thumb nail," from some resemblance in color. The Arabic denotes, of two colors, white preponderating.

17. crystal--Or else glass, if then known, very costly. From a root, "to be transparent."

jewels--rather, "vessels."

18. Red coral (Eze 27:16).

pearls--literally, "what is frozen." Probably crystal; and Job 28:17 will then be glass.

rubies--Umbreit translates "pearls" (see La 4:1; Pr 3:15). The Urim and Thummim, the means of consulting God by the twelve stones on the high priest's breastplate, "the stones of the sanctuary" (La 4:1), have their counterpart in this chapter; the precious stones symbolizing the "light" and "perfection" of the divine wisdom.

19. Ethiopia--Cush in the Hebrew. Either Ethiopia, or the south of Arabia, near the Tigris.

20. Job 28:12 repeated with great force.