Job 28 28

Job 28:28 kjv

And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the LORD, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.

Job 28:28 nkjv

And to man He said, 'Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, And to depart from evil is understanding.' "

Job 28:28 niv

And he said to the human race, "The fear of the Lord?that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding."

Job 28:28 esv

And he said to man, 'Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.'"

Job 28:28 nlt

And this is what he says to all humanity:
'The fear of the Lord is true wisdom;
to forsake evil is real understanding.'"

Job 28 verses

Job 28 28 Meaning

Job 28:28 declares that true wisdom is not found through human exploration or material wealth but through a relationship of reverence with God and a life lived free from evil. It posits that fearing the Lord is the very essence of wisdom, and actively turning away from moral wrongdoing constitutes understanding. This verse serves as the concluding summary of Job's profound discourse on the inaccessibility of divine wisdom to human searching, establishing it as a gift from God realized through humble piety and moral integrity.

Job 28 28 Context

Job 28 stands as a pivotal poetic interlude within the dialogues between Job and his friends. It is distinct from the surrounding speeches, reflecting Job's own deep theological reflection and rising above the contentious arguments about suffering and sin. The chapter contrasts humanity's tireless and successful pursuit of hidden treasures in the earth (mines for silver, gold, and precious stones) with its inability to find or acquire true wisdom. Human ingenuity can uncover the deepest secrets of the physical world, but wisdom's dwelling place remains a mystery to mankind; it cannot be purchased or discovered through natural means. After detailing all the places wisdom is not, Job 28:28 culminates the poem by definitively declaring where wisdom is found: with God, and subsequently, in the proper human response to God.

Job 28 28 Word analysis

• And (וְ – wĕ): Connects this concluding statement directly to the preceding poetic discourse in Job 28, acting as a summarizing transition. It emphasizes that this verse is the outcome or punchline of the deep reflection on wisdom's location.
• unto man (לָאָדָם – lā’ādām): Emphasizes the universal applicability of this truth. It is revealed to humanity, not just a select few or specific nations. It suggests a divine condescension, as God makes this profound truth accessible.
• he said (אָמַר – ’āmar): Refers to God as the speaker. This signifies a divine decree or pronouncement. It elevates the truth of the verse to the level of divine revelation, distinct from human conjecture.
• Behold (הֵן – hēn): An interjection demanding attention. It introduces a solemn and significant statement, calling for immediate and focused consideration of what follows. It highlights the importance and undeniable truth of the declaration.
• the fear of the Lord (יִרְאַת אֲדֹנָי – yir’at Adonay):
  • Fear (יִרְאַת – yir’at): More than terror or dread, yir’at primarily denotes profound awe, reverence, worship, and humble submission to God's majesty and authority. It is a holy respect that acknowledges God's absolute sovereignty and moral purity. This active reverence leads to moral obedience and spiritual humility.
  • Lord (אֲדֹנָי – Adonay): While "Lord" is often a substitution for the divine name Yahweh (YHWH) in the Hebrew Bible due to reverence, in the book of Job, other divine names like El, Eloah, and Shaddai are frequently used. Adonai here denotes God as the sovereign Master, the one worthy of such awe and reverence.
  • Significance: This concept is foundational in Old Testament wisdom literature, positing that a proper relationship with God is the starting point and indeed the core of true knowledge and discernment, not mere intellectual prowess. It underscores a holistic piety where intellect, emotion, and will are rightly oriented toward the Divine.
• that is wisdom (הִיא הַחָכְמָה – hiy’ haḥokhmah):
  • That is (הִיא – hiy’): This pronoun "it" or "that" functions as a strong copula, intensely identifying "the fear of the Lord" with "wisdom" itself. It is not just part of wisdom or leads to wisdom; it is wisdom.
  • Wisdom (הַחָכְמָה – haḥokhmah): Refers to practical wisdom, discernment, skill in living life righteously and successfully in God's eyes. It encompasses moral insight, prudent judgment, and the ability to navigate life's complexities in accordance with divine will. This is a profound ethical and spiritual wisdom, not just intellectual accumulation.
• and to depart from evil (וְסוּר מֵרָע – wᵉsūr mērāʿ):
  • Depart (סוּר – sūr): Implies an active, intentional turning away or withdrawal from something. It's not passive avoidance but a deliberate redirection of one's path, an ethical commitment.
  • Evil (מֵרָע – mērāʿ): Refers to all forms of moral wrong, wickedness, or actions contrary to God's nature and will. It encompasses both outward acts and inward disposition.
  • Significance: This demonstrates that true wisdom is inherently practical and ethical. It is not merely intellectual apprehension but translates into righteous living. Wisdom without ethical action is incomplete or even pseudo-wisdom.
• is understanding (בִּינָה – bīnah):
  • Understanding (בִּינָה – bīnah): This term implies discernment, insight, the ability to distinguish between right and wrong, to grasp the true nature of things, and to make sound judgments. It complements ḥokhmah (wisdom), focusing more on insight and discernment, whereas wisdom is more about skill in living.
  • Parallelism: This verse presents a poetic parallelism, common in Hebrew poetry. "The fear of the Lord" parallels "to depart from evil," and "wisdom" parallels "understanding." This reinforces the interconnectedness of these concepts: reverence for God leads to ethical conduct, which demonstrates true insight.