Job 28:15
It cannot be gotten for gold, neither shall silver be weighed for the price thereof.
Original Language Analysis
לֹא
H3808
לֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
1 of 8
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יֻתַּ֣ן
It cannot be gotten
H5414
יֻתַּ֣ן
It cannot be gotten
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
2 of 8
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
סְג֣וֹר
for gold
H5458
סְג֣וֹר
for gold
Strong's:
H5458
Word #:
3 of 8
properly, shut up, i.e., the breast (as enclosing the heart); also gold (as generally shut up safely)
תַּחְתֶּ֑יהָ
H8478
תַּחְתֶּ֑יהָ
Strong's:
H8478
Word #:
4 of 8
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc
וְלֹ֥א
H3808
וְלֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
5 of 8
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
Historical Context
In ancient economies, gold and silver functioned as universal currency. Job's assertion that these precious metals cannot purchase wisdom would shock his audience—what couldn't be bought with gold and silver? This rhetorical strategy prepares for verse 28's revelation: wisdom comes through fearing God, not through any human resource or achievement. The passage critiques both ancient and modern materialism that assumes wealth solves all problems.
Questions for Reflection
- How does our culture's confidence in wealth's power to solve problems blind us to wisdom's different economy?
- What does it mean that wisdom is received as grace rather than earned or purchased?
- How should recognizing that 'it cannot be gotten for gold' reshape our priorities regarding career, wealth accumulation, and spiritual formation?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
It cannot be gotten for gold, neither shall silver be weighed for the price thereof—wisdom is not a market commodity. The Hebrew cugar (סְגַר, "gotten") in some manuscripts, or natan (נָתַן, "given") in others, emphasizes exchange impossibility. Shaqal (שָׁקַל, "weighed") refers to the ancient practice of weighing precious metals for payment. Job asserts that no amount of wealth purchases wisdom—it exists in a different economy entirely.
This verse begins a series (15-19) listing increasingly valuable treasures, all inadequate to obtain wisdom. The progression demonstrates that multiplying earthly wealth—even to astronomical amounts—doesn't approach wisdom's value. Jesus taught this same principle: "what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" (Mark 8:36). The rich young ruler possessed great wealth but lacked wisdom, departing sorrowfully when confronted with the cost of discipleship (Matthew 19:22). Material prosperity and spiritual wisdom operate in different spheres; the former cannot purchase the latter. Wisdom comes through grace, not transaction.