Job 28 23

Job 28:23 kjv

God understandeth the way thereof, and he knoweth the place thereof.

Job 28:23 nkjv

God understands its way, And He knows its place.

Job 28:23 niv

God understands the way to it and he alone knows where it dwells,

Job 28:23 esv

"God understands the way to it, and he knows its place.

Job 28:23 nlt

"God alone understands the way to wisdom;
he knows where it can be found,

Job 28 verses

Job 28 23 Meaning

Job 28:23 states that God alone comprehends the intricate processes ("its way") and the fundamental origin or dwelling ("its place") of true wisdom. This verse provides a divine answer to humanity's deep quest for wisdom, concluding that only the Almighty Creator possesses complete and inherent knowledge of it, contrasting sharply with human inability to discover or acquire it by their own efforts or resources.

Job 28 23 Context

Job chapter 28 stands as a profound poetic interlude within the broader dialogue of Job and his friends, focusing on the ultimate source and nature of true wisdom. Before verse 23, Job marvels at humanity's impressive ability to discover and extract precious metals and resources from the earth's deepest, darkest places (Job 28:1-11), showcasing incredible human ingenuity and perseverance. Yet, he then abruptly shifts perspective, posing a fundamental rhetorical question: "But where can wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding?" (Job 28:12). He explores various places where wisdom is NOT found – not by human discovery, not in the land of the living, nor in the depths of the sea, nor through material wealth (Job 28:13-22). This sets the stage for verse 23, which delivers the conclusive answer: true wisdom is beyond human grasp, being known exclusively by God. This chapter serves to elevate the discussion from Job's personal suffering and the friends' limited arguments to the transcendent, divine nature of wisdom, ultimately preparing the way for God's direct intervention in later chapters, where He reveals His unparalleled wisdom in creation and providence.

Job 28 23 Word analysis

• "God" (אֱלֹהִים - 'Elohim'): This Hebrew term, often used as the general name for God in the Old Testament, signifies the majestic, powerful, and singular Divine Being. Its use here underscores that this ultimate knowledge and understanding of wisdom belongs exclusively to the absolute Creator and Sovereign, not to any other entity or human.

• "understands" (בִּין - bin): This verb denotes deep discernment, perception, and a profound grasp of inner workings or principles. It implies more than mere intellectual knowing; it is a comprehensive, analytical, and intuitive comprehension of something's nature, processes, and implications. God doesn't just know about wisdom; He inherently perceives and discerns its every aspect.

• "its way" (דַּרְכָּהּ - darkah): Referring to wisdom (chochmah, which is feminine), derek signifies a path, road, course, or manner. Here, it speaks to the method, principles, and operational processes of wisdom. It means God knows precisely how wisdom operates, how it manifests, and the inherent patterns governing it, which remain concealed from human insight.

• "and He knows" (וְהוּא יָדַע - wehû yāda'): This phrase uses the verb yada', meaning to know, perceive, or discover, often implying an intimate and experiential acquaintance. The repetition of 'He knows' alongside 'understands' strengthens the assertion of God's perfect and inherent knowledge. God knows wisdom not just conceptually but experientially, because He embodies it.

• "its place" (מְקוֹמָהּ - meqômah): Referring again to wisdom, maqom means a place, location, or dwelling. This signifies the origin, source, or ultimate residence of wisdom. In stark contrast to humanity's fruitless search for wisdom "in the land of the living" or "the deep," the verse declares that God inherently knows its true divine dwelling place, emphasizing that wisdom originates with Him.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "God understands its way": This affirms God's perfect cognitive grasp and insight into the very nature, methodology, and unfolding principles of wisdom. He does not just possess wisdom but comprehends its intricate 'how'.
  • "and He knows its place": This phrase complements the first by identifying God's intimate knowledge of wisdom's source and dwelling. It unequivocally declares that the origin and ultimate residence of true wisdom are rooted solely in God.
  • The complete verse: By stating that God 'understands its way' and 'knows its place', the verse presents a holistic and exclusive claim for God as the sole proprietor, architect, and source of true wisdom. It draws a stark contrast with human efforts, which are shown to be ultimately futile in finding wisdom independently, establishing divine knowledge as the only true understanding.

Job 28 23 Bonus section

• This verse represents a theological pivot within the book of Job, transitioning the focus from the suffering individual and speculative arguments to the transcendent and unchallengeable nature of God's wisdom, which far surpasses human comprehension or access.
• The Hebrew words bin and yada', though distinct, together paint a picture of comprehensive, intuitive, and experiential knowledge, emphasizing God's intrinsic and perfect relationship with wisdom. He not only comprehends it but is intrinsically acquainted with it, as it stems from His very being.
• The placement of Job 28, often considered a detached wisdom hymn, effectively functions as a foundational theological statement that prepares both Job and the reader for God's eventual appearance (chapters 38-41). God does not give propositional answers to Job's "why" questions but reveals His unparalleled wisdom in the intricate order of creation, implicitly demonstrating His understanding of wisdom's way and place.
• The implied polemic is against any humanistic or pagan notion that wisdom can be acquired through ritual, self-effort, magic, or purely intellectual pursuits separate from the Divine, stressing that true wisdom's boundaries are defined solely by God.

Job 28 23 Commentary

Job 28:23 provides the theological pinnacle of the wisdom poem, unequivocally identifying God as the exclusive source and knower of wisdom. After showcasing human brilliance in mastering the physical earth and contrasting it with humanity's utter failure to locate true wisdom, this verse decisively declares God's unique sovereignty over it. The wisdom sought by humans is not a discoverable treasure on Earth but an inherent attribute of the Divine. God's knowledge of wisdom's "way" implies His full comprehension of its nature, principles, and how it operates, while "its place" refers to its ultimate origin and residence in Him. This revelation serves to humble human presumption and directs all sincere seekers of wisdom towards the Creator, whose understanding is limitless and from whom all true wisdom flows.

• Example: Just as an architect has the blueprint, engineering principles, and material source knowledge for a grand edifice, so God alone possesses complete understanding of wisdom's design and where it originates. Humanity can only access portions as God reveals them.