Job 28 14

Job 28:14 kjv

The depth saith, It is not in me: and the sea saith, It is not with me.

Job 28:14 nkjv

The deep says, 'It is not in me'; And the sea says, 'It is not with me.'

Job 28:14 niv

The deep says, "It is not in me"; the sea says, "It is not with me."

Job 28:14 esv

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

Job 28:14 nlt

'It is not here,' says the ocean.
'Nor is it here,' says the sea.

Job 28 verses

Job 28 14 Meaning

Job 28:14 proclaims that neither the deepest subterranean reaches nor the vast oceans contain wisdom. This powerful poetic declaration metaphorically states that true, divine wisdom cannot be unearthed from the physical world, acquired through extensive exploration, or obtained by human ingenuity, wealth, or worldly pursuit. It emphasizes wisdom's transcendent nature, indicating its source lies beyond the grasp of human effort and material discovery.

Job 28 14 Context

Job 28 is a poetic interlude, possibly spoken by Job himself, situated within the extended dialogues with his friends. This chapter sharply contrasts humanity's impressive capability to exploit the earth's natural resources (mining gold, silver, precious stones from the darkest depths, v. 1-11) with its utter inability to locate wisdom. Human ingenuity can find every material treasure but cannot discover wisdom's "place" or "value" (v. 12-13). Verse 14 is a critical pivot in this argument, as the "deep" and "sea"—symbolizing the ultimate boundaries of human exploration—categorically deny harboring wisdom. The chapter culminates in the truth that only God knows wisdom's way, and for humanity, true wisdom lies in the "fear of the Lord and turning away from evil" (v. 28). This entire discourse emphasizes the limitations of human knowledge in comprehending divine ways, paving the way for God's eventual appearance and sovereign pronouncements.

Job 28 14 Word analysis

• וְתְהוֹם֮ (wə-ṯəhōm): "and the deep," "the abyss."
  • This term, tᵉhōm, denotes the primeval, vast, and often chaotic deep or subterranean waters (Gen 1:2, Psa 42:7). Here, it signifies the absolute lowest and most inaccessible depths of the earth, where human miners courageously penetrate (Job 28:5-6). Its personification highlights that even where humanity pushes its physical limits in search of material wealth, wisdom remains fundamentally absent, being non-material and non-geographical.
• אָמַר֮ (’āmar): "said," "declares."
  • The act of personifying "the deep" and "the sea" gives their denial of wisdom a powerful, almost cosmic authority. It's not merely a human observation but a self-proclamation from the created order itself, reinforcing that wisdom is beyond the physical domain of discovery.
• לֹא־בִ֭י (lō’-ḇî): "not in me."
  • A strong negation (lō’) combined with "in me" (preposition be- + first person singular suffix). This precise phrasing signifies that wisdom is not contained within, nor is it a physical property or element of, the deep. It underlines wisdom's transcendence from any material form.
• וְיָּם֮ (wə-yyām): "and the sea."
  • The yam, or sea/ocean, represents another frontier of human exploration—vast, unpredictable, and mysterious (Psa 104:25). It complements "the deep" by covering the broad, horizontal, and surface-to-depth reach of human endeavor. If wisdom were to be found anywhere through exploration, it would be sought across or within the seas.
• אֵ֥ין עִמִּֽי׃ (’êyn ‘immî): "not with me."
  • The use of ’êyn ("there is not," emphasizing non-existence or absence) along with ‘immî ("with me" or "at my location," using preposition ‘im- + first person singular suffix) conveys a slightly different nuance than lō’ bi. While "not in me" means not contained, "not with me" implies wisdom is not present, associated, or to be found by the one searching. Together, the two denials establish a comprehensive absence of wisdom from physical realms.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• The deep says, 'It is not in me,': This poetic phrase dramatizes the concept that wisdom is not an extractable resource. Humanity, depicted in the preceding verses as mastering the earth's deepest, darkest, and most hidden places to bring forth precious metals, encounters an absolute void when it seeks wisdom in these same depths. The "deep" explicitly declares that wisdom does not reside within its material structure, contrasting it sharply with gold, silver, or iron.
• and the sea says, 'It is not with me.': Paralleling the "deep," the "sea" symbolizes the broadest scope of the physical world—its vastness, mystery, and dynamic power. By denying wisdom's presence, the sea reiterates that neither boundless travel nor the exploration of aquatic mysteries can lead to wisdom's discovery. The combined declarations from these two grand symbols of creation underscore that ultimate wisdom is neither geological nor geographical; it cannot be grasped through human control over nature or earthly knowledge.

Job 28 14 Bonus section

This verse's assertion resonates powerfully within the ancient Near Eastern context where the 'deep' and 'sea' were often associated with chaos and mythical primordial powers, and even deemed sacred or holding hidden secrets. By having these elements themselves declare their lack of wisdom, the text not only negates the possibility of finding wisdom through physical exploration but also subtly undermines any belief in such elemental powers as sources of ultimate truth. It channels attention away from a search for "wisdom" within creation itself (or personified natural forces) towards the true, transcendent source of all wisdom: the Creator. This concept sets up a key theme for the rest of Job and for broader biblical theology: the vast chasm between human understanding and divine wisdom, a gap that can only be bridged by God's self-revelation. The repeated denials in verses 12-22 create a crescendo, culminating in the answer found only in God.

Job 28 14 Commentary

Job 28:14 serves as a profound theological statement, asserting the fundamental difference between human knowledge of the physical world and divine wisdom. Following an account of humanity's impressive technological and explorative feats in mining, the verse deliberately contrasts this material mastery with a spiritual and intellectual impotence. The "deep" (tᵉhōm) and the "sea" (yam) are chosen as the ultimate representatives of natural, hidden, and powerful realms, often seen as beyond human comprehension. Their unanimous denial of wisdom's presence emphatically highlights that true wisdom is not a part of the created order to be found or extracted. It transcends material form and physical location, emphasizing its divine origin and essence. This truth challenges human pride in worldly accomplishments, urging a recognition that ultimate answers about life, suffering, and God's ways are not found through physical exertion or intellectual striving in the natural realm. It redirects humanity's search from outward exploration to a humble inward reverence for the Lord, foreshadowing the chapter's climactic conclusion (Job 28:28) and Job's eventual encounter with the Creator. The practical lesson is that the search for meaning and truth beyond what is immediately revealed about God in creation cannot be satisfied by worldly pursuits or material gains; true understanding flows from God Himself.