Job 28 16

Job 28:16 kjv

It cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir, with the precious onyx, or the sapphire.

Job 28:16 nkjv

It cannot be valued in the gold of Ophir, In precious onyx or sapphire.

Job 28:16 niv

It cannot be bought with the gold of Ophir, with precious onyx or lapis lazuli.

Job 28:16 esv

It cannot be valued in the gold of Ophir, in precious onyx or sapphire.

Job 28:16 nlt

It's worth more than all the gold of Ophir,
greater than precious onyx or lapis lazuli.

Job 28 verses

Job 28 16 Meaning

Job 28:16 emphasizes that wisdom is of incalculable and supreme value, far exceeding the worth of any material treasure known to humanity. It explicitly states that even the purest gold from Ophir or the most precious gemstones like onyx and sapphire cannot provide a suitable exchange or measure for true wisdom. This verse posits wisdom as an utterly unique and priceless commodity, unattainable through human ingenuity or wealth acquisition.

Job 28 16 Context

Job 28 stands as a profound poetic interlude, often referred to as a "Hymn to Wisdom," inserted within the lengthy dialogue between Job and his friends. It deviates from the ongoing debate about the cause of Job's suffering. Prior to this chapter, Job and his friends have exhausted their human reasoning and philosophical arguments regarding divine justice and human experience. This chapter interrupts their exchanges, providing a distinct perspective on the origin and accessibility of true wisdom.

The preceding verses (Job 28:1-11) describe humanity's impressive capability to exploit the earth for its hidden treasures – to mine for silver, gold, iron, and precious stones, venturing into the deepest and darkest recesses. Humans demonstrate remarkable ingenuity, perseverance, and skill in locating and extracting these material riches. Verse 16 builds directly upon this, contrasting this earthly mining prowess with the futility of trying to "mine" or purchase wisdom. It sets the stage for the crucial theological insight of the chapter: while humanity can uncover earthly treasures, the source of ultimate wisdom remains hidden from all living creatures and is known only to God (Job 28:23).

Historically and culturally, gold and specific gemstones like onyx and sapphire were symbols of ultimate wealth, power, and prestige in the ancient Near East. Ophir was renowned for its legendary fine gold. By referencing these highly coveted commodities, the speaker emphasizes the immeasurable, unparalleled value of wisdom. The chapter serves to humble human presumption and redefine where true value and understanding reside, preparing Job (and the reader) for God's climactic speech in subsequent chapters, which will demonstrate divine wisdom and sovereignty far beyond human comprehension.

Job 28 16 Word analysis

• It (וְלֹֽא - wə·lō): This pronoun implicitly refers to "wisdom" (חָכְמָה - khokhmāh) and "understanding" (בִּינָה - bīnāh) which are the primary subjects throughout Job 28, especially from verse 12 onwards ("But where shall wisdom be found?"). Its antecedent is clearly wisdom.

• cannot be valued (תְסֻלֶּ֑ה - ṯə·sul·leh):

  • Derived from the Hebrew root סָלַל (salal), meaning "to raise up," "to heap up," or in a financial context, "to weigh out," "to appraise," "to recompense," or "to acquire for a price."
  • Here in the Nifal stem, it means "to be compensated," "to be weighed out," "to be appraised," or "to be equivalent to."
  • The negative "lo" (לֹא) powerfully asserts that wisdom's worth is immeasurable; it literally "cannot be recompensed" or "cannot be equated" by any material wealth. Its value surpasses any exchange rate or estimation.

• in gold (בְּכֶ֥תֶם - bə·ḵe·ṯem):

  • כֶּתֶם (ketem): refers to pure, refined gold, distinguished from standard gold (זָהָב - zahav). It often denotes the highest quality or finest gold.
  • The prefix 'בְּ' (be-) means "in" or "with," indicating the means or measure of valuation.

• of Ophir (אוֹפִֽיר - ’ō·w·p̄îr):

  • אוֹפִיר (Ophir): A famous, though geographically uncertain, region frequently mentioned in the Old Testament as a source of exceptionally fine and rare gold. It appears in contexts of immense royal wealth, especially connected with King Solomon (1 Kgs 9:28, 10:11).
  • Its mention here signifies the epitome of earthly wealth and the purest, most valuable form of gold.

• in precious (בְּשֹׁ֥הַם - bə·šō·ham; יָקָֽר - yā·qār):

  • שֹׁהַם (shoham): The onyx stone, a valuable semi-precious gem, often used for ornate purposes, notably in the High Priest's ephod (Exod 28:9-12). It symbolized beauty, status, and intrinsic value.
  • יָקָר (yaqar): Means "precious," "valuable," "costly," or "rare." It modifies 'onyx' and underscores its high esteem. This repetition of value (gold of Ophir and then precious onyx) adds emphasis.

• or sapphire (סַפִּֽיר׃ - sap·pîr):

  • סַפִּיר (sappir): Sapphire, a highly valued blue gemstone. In biblical imagery, sapphire is sometimes associated with divine majesty and heavenly visions (Exod 24:10, Ezek 1:26, 10:1), hinting at something divine or otherworldly.
  • Its inclusion reinforces the exhaustive list of most esteemed material goods, solidifying the claim that no earthly substance can match wisdom.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "It cannot be valued in gold of Ophir": This phrase immediately establishes an unparalleled benchmark. By starting with the most highly esteemed earthly treasure, pure gold from a renowned source like Ophir, the text sets up a stark contrast. It tells us wisdom is not merely expensive; it's outside the entire system of monetary or material valuation. The ingenuity and effort humans invest in mining the most valuable metal (as described in the opening of Job 28) pale in comparison to the acquisition of wisdom.
• "in precious onyx or sapphire": The addition of these two gemstones expands the scope of the comparison beyond gold alone, encompassing other forms of concentrated wealth and beauty. Onyx and sapphire, though different in nature (mineral vs. crystalline) and use, were both considered immensely valuable and beautiful. This inclusive listing ensures that no material form of wealth is left out of the comparison, further underscoring that wisdom's value transcends all known physical treasures. The juxtaposition of humanity's success in extracting these material goods (from the earth) with its failure to locate or purchase wisdom (Job 28:12, 14) is a central theological point.

Job 28 16 Bonus section

The Hebrew poetry in Job 28:16, like much of the book, uses vivid imagery and hyperbole to emphasize the qualitative difference between material wealth and divine wisdom. The specific mention of "gold of Ophir" rather than just "gold" indicates the absolute pinnacle of preciousness known in the ancient world, ensuring the comparison is against the best human value can offer. This makes wisdom's unpurchasable nature even more striking. The entire chapter serves as a theological turning point in Job, shifting focus from his suffering to the inherent mystery and unknowability of God's wisdom by human means, preparing for the divine speeches that follow. The consistent theme throughout the Bible—that God's Word, His law, His instruction, and His wisdom are more desirable and valuable than the finest gold and abundant silver (Ps 19:10, Ps 119:72, 127; Prov 3:15, 8:11)—finds a powerful expression in this verse.

Job 28 16 Commentary

Job 28:16 stands as a declarative statement within the magnificent "Hymn to Wisdom," profoundly asserting wisdom's intrinsic and incomparable worth. Following a detailed account of humanity's impressive feats in mining and excavating the earth for its hidden material riches (gold, silver, iron, and various stones), this verse introduces a powerful rhetorical contrast. Humans possess the ingenuity and perseverance to extract the most valuable elements from the earth's deepest recesses, yet these immense efforts and resulting treasures—represented by the legendary gold of Ophir, precious onyx, and brilliant sapphire—fall utterly short when attempting to measure the value of wisdom.

The verse is not simply making an economic statement about cost; it's a theological declaration about nature and origin. Wisdom, unlike material wealth, cannot be unearthed from the ground, nor can it be purchased, exchanged, or amassed through human endeavor. It belongs to a different order of value, residing beyond the reach of human commerce or excavation. This highlights humanity's inherent limitation and reinforces the later revelation that wisdom's true dwelling place is known only to God (Job 28:23). Humanity's path to wisdom is not through searching the depths of the earth for riches, but through "the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding" (Job 28:28).

Practically, this verse reminds us to prioritize the spiritual and the eternal over the material and the temporal. For instance, pursuing knowledge of God's ways (His Word) or developing discerning character often requires sacrifice that is not compensated by worldly gain, yet its value far surpasses any wealth. It teaches that true lasting worth is not found in what one accumulates, but in a divine quality of understanding.