Gold and glass cannot equal it, nor can it be exchanged for jewels of fine gold.
Job has just described how far men will dig for silver and gold. Now he weighs the finest of that treasure against wisdom, and it is refused as payment — so how does anyone ever get wisdom?
Why Job Raises the Question
Job is answering friends who spoke as though wisdom were already in their pocket. One writer sets the chapter against their confidence:
Leslie M. GrantJob's friends thought they had "the secrets of wisdom" (ch.11:6), but Job could see that their arguments were not wise at all. So he confronts them with this: wisdom is not so easily obtained. In fact, wisdom cannot be bought with gold or silver (v.15).
Where the chapter sits matters too. It follows Job's account of the doom of the rich, and turns to riches of another kind:
Samuel RidoutJob next contrasts the doom of the ungodly rich, described in the previous chapter, with the true riches, which can never be lost. The opening part of the chapter describes the toil and care with which men search for the dug-out gold, which so often brings only the "strife and curse" that fall on it. He then passes on to the true riches — wisdom. Where can it be found?
The Crystal on the Scales
The word behind "glass" in this verse points to decorated glass, valuable enough to be listed next to gold:
Morrish Bible Dictionaryzekukith, Job 28:17: probably richly decorated glass, of the kind made in Egypt. Here it is listed with gold; but wisdom, the gift of God, is worth far more than such things.
Every Price Refused
Job is running a test, and one commentator traces it item by item:
Samuel RidoutA thing of such priceless value is now tested against everything man counts as treasure. Pure gold and silver, weighed out without limit, cannot buy it. The fine gold of Ophir, the precious onyx and the sapphire — "a king's ransom" — have no place here. Gold is named again, along with transparent crystal — "pure gold, like transparent glass" — jewels as beautiful as they are rare; corals, pearls, rubies — wisdom's price is higher than all of them. The topaz of far-off Ethiopia looks dull beside this bright jewel of God's glory. Men search all of nature in vain for anything to compare with what is worth more than every earthly treasure.
No exchange rate exists, because the two are not the same kind of thing:
Leslie M. GrantJob continues his subject of wisdom, saying that the finest gold (from Ophir) or onyx or sapphire stones, or crystal, or jewellery of fine gold have no value at all compared with wisdom (vv.16-17)... In other words, nothing in nature can come near the value of true wisdom, for wisdom is spiritual, not natural.
Not Down in the Mine, but Down from Heaven
Men dig for gold and crystal and bring them up out of the ground. Wisdom travels in the opposite direction:
William KellyWhat a very solemn thing that is! True wisdom and true understanding are not found in the earth at all! It comes down from heaven. It is found only in Christ... "Therefore the deep says, 'It is not in me.'" There are silver and gold in the deep, and other such goods, and precious stones. "The sea says, 'It is not with me.'"
Every offer has been refused, which leaves one question:
C. H. MackintoshIf man does not know its price, and if it is not to be found in the land of the living... then where am I to turn? If it cannot be bought with gold or precious stones — if the wealth of the universe cannot equal it, and no cleverness of man can discover it — where shall I find it?
Bought Without Money
Scripture does invite people to "buy" — and then names the currency, which is none:
Numerical Bible NotesScripture urges people elsewhere to "buy," though "without money and without price" (Isa. 55:1)... In fact, the very terms of the gospel are that "the gift of God" cannot be obtained with money, or with anything that might count as its religious equivalent. Pride that will not take a free gift as a gift must be sent away empty.
Summary
- Contrast — The chapter sets the doom of the ungodly rich beside true riches, which can never be lost.
- Priceless — Gold, decorated glass and worked jewellery are the best riches the earth yields, and Job shows they cannot buy wisdom.
- Kind — No price works because nothing in nature can come near true wisdom: it is spiritual, not natural.
- Direction — Riches come up out of the mine; wisdom comes down from heaven, and commentators point to Christ as the place it is found.
- Gift — The riches no money can buy, God gives freely; pride that refuses a free gift is sent away empty.