Job 28:17
The gold and the crystal cannot equal it: and the exchange of it shall not be for jewels of fine gold.
Original Language Analysis
לֹא
H3808
לֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
1 of 7
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יַעַרְכֶ֣נָּה
cannot equal
H6186
יַעַרְכֶ֣נָּה
cannot equal
Strong's:
H6186
Word #:
2 of 7
to set in a row, i.e., arrange, put in order (in a very wide variety of applications)
זָ֭הָב
The gold
H2091
זָ֭הָב
The gold
Strong's:
H2091
Word #:
3 of 7
gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e., yellow), as oil, a clear sky
Historical Context
Glass-making was rare and expensive in the ancient Near East (more common after Roman innovations). Combining gold and glass/crystal represented peak luxury. Refined gold vessels were treasures of temples and palaces. Job's audience would recognize these as the ultimate valuables—yet wisdom surpasses them infinitely. This subverts materialistic values, pointing toward spiritual priorities that transcend economic calculation.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Christ as 'the wisdom of God' (1 Corinthians 1:24) fulfill Job's search for wisdom beyond price?
- What does it mean that wisdom's value transcends all human calculation and comparison?
- How should recognizing wisdom's supreme worth affect our investment of time, energy, and resources?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The gold and the crystal cannot equal it—even combining multiple precious materials doesn't match wisdom's value. Hebrew zekukith (זְכוּכִית, "crystal") likely refers to glass, rare and valuable in antiquity, or possibly rock crystal (quartz). And the exchange of it shall not be for jewels of fine gold uses temurah (תְּמוּרָה, "exchange"), meaning barter or substitution, and keli paz (כְּלִי פָז), literally "vessels of refined gold," meaning the finest golden articles.
Job's economic argument escalates: not merely gold (verse 15), but gold plus crystal, plus the finest golden craftsmanship—still inadequate. Wisdom transcends all human valuation systems. This anticipates Paul's language about Christ as wisdom: "in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Colossians 2:3). The supreme treasure is a Person, not a commodity, obtained through relationship, not transaction. Peter echoes this: you were redeemed "not with corruptible things, as silver and gold... but with the precious blood of Christ" (1 Peter 1:18-19). Divine wisdom required divine sacrifice, not human currency.