Job 28:21 - Seeing it is hidden from the eyes of all living, and kept close from the birds of the sky.
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What does "Job 28:21" mean?
Job 28 is a powerful poem within the book of Job, exploring the nature of wisdom. This verse, Job 28:21, emphasizes how profoundly difficult and inaccessible true wisdom is. Let's break down what it means:
"Seeing it is hidden from the eyes of all living..."
"It" refers to wisdom, specifically the wisdom of knowing where to find precious metals and stones (the context of the chapter), and even more importantly, the ultimate wisdom of understanding God's ways.
"Hidden from the eyes of all living" means that neither humans nor animals, no matter how clever or perceptive, can naturally find or grasp true wisdom simply by observing the world around them. It's not readily apparent or easily discovered through empirical means. Human intelligence and experience alone are insufficient to attain true wisdom.
"...and kept close from the birds of the sky."
This adds a layer of emphasis. Birds of prey, especially, are known for their sharp eyesight and ability to see things from great distances. The Hebrew word for "birds" is sometimes translated as "fowl".
Even creatures with exceptional vision and awareness are unable to find this wisdom. The birds are symbolic of those who may think they possess wisdom or knowledge, but true wisdom is still beyond their reach.
In Summary:
The verse is saying that true wisdom is not something that can be found through ordinary means or human intelligence alone. It is hidden from the natural perception and abilities of all living things, including those with the sharpest senses. This sets the stage for the conclusion of the chapter, which reveals that the only way to attain true wisdom is to fear the Lord (revere God) and shun evil (Job 28:28). Wisdom, therefore, is a gift from God, not something to be discovered through worldly pursuits.
Think of it like this:
Imagine a hidden treasure. The verse is saying that no matter how hard you search the landscape with your eyes, or even soar above it with the sharpest vision, you won't find it. The treasure isn't found through sight alone; it requires a different kind of understanding and direction (ultimately, from God).
Job 28:21 - Seeing it is hidden from the eyes of all living, and kept close from the birds of the sky.
What does "Job 28:21" mean?
Job 28 is a powerful poem within the book of Job, exploring the nature of wisdom. This verse, Job 28:21, emphasizes how profoundly difficult and inaccessible true wisdom is. Let's break down what it means:
"Seeing it is hidden from the eyes of all living..."
"It" refers to wisdom, specifically the wisdom of knowing where to find precious metals and stones (the context of the chapter), and even more importantly, the ultimate wisdom of understanding God's ways.
"Hidden from the eyes of all living" means that neither humans nor animals, no matter how clever or perceptive, can naturally find or grasp true wisdom simply by observing the world around them. It's not readily apparent or easily discovered through empirical means. Human intelligence and experience alone are insufficient to attain true wisdom.
"...and kept close from the birds of the sky."
This adds a layer of emphasis. Birds of prey, especially, are known for their sharp eyesight and ability to see things from great distances. The Hebrew word for "birds" is sometimes translated as "fowl".
Even creatures with exceptional vision and awareness are unable to find this wisdom. The birds are symbolic of those who may think they possess wisdom or knowledge, but true wisdom is still beyond their reach.
In Summary:
The verse is saying that true wisdom is not something that can be found through ordinary means or human intelligence alone. It is hidden from the natural perception and abilities of all living things, including those with the sharpest senses. This sets the stage for the conclusion of the chapter, which reveals that the only way to attain true wisdom is to fear the Lord (revere God) and shun evil (Job 28:28). Wisdom, therefore, is a gift from God, not something to be discovered through worldly pursuits.
Think of it like this:
Imagine a hidden treasure. The verse is saying that no matter how hard you search the landscape with your eyes, or even soar above it with the sharpest vision, you won't find it. The treasure isn't found through sight alone; it requires a different kind of understanding and direction (ultimately, from God).