Job 28:15 - It can’t be gotten for gold, neither shall silver be weighed for its price.

Generated Verse: Job 28:15

What does "Job 28:15" mean?


Job 28:15, "It can’t be gotten for gold, neither shall silver be weighed for its price," is part of a larger section in the Book of Job (specifically Job 28) that explores the nature of wisdom. The verse emphasizes the inestimable value of wisdom. Let's break down what it means:

"It can't be gotten for gold..." This means that gold, which was and is considered a precious and valuable commodity, cannot purchase wisdom. Even immense wealth in gold is insufficient to acquire it.

"...neither shall silver be weighed for its price." This reinforces the first part of the verse. Silver, another valuable metal used as currency and for luxury, is equally incapable of buying wisdom. "Weighed for its price" means even the largest amount of silver, meticulously measured for its value, cannot obtain it.

In essence, the verse conveys that wisdom is priceless and unattainable through material wealth. It suggests wisdom is something far more valuable than earthly riches. Job 28 continues to describe the difficulty of finding wisdom, comparing it to the effort humans put into mining for precious metals and stones in hidden and dangerous places, but ultimately stating that even with all that effort, they can't find wisdom. It then asks where wisdom comes from and who knows its place. Job 28 ends by stating that the fear of the Lord is wisdom, and to depart from evil is understanding. So wisdom here is equated with reverence to God.

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