Man does not know its worth, and it is not found in the land of the living.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse points to something profound: it's not just that wisdom is rare, but that humans fundamentally cannot conceive of its true value or find it within their earthly existence. This implies wisdom isn't something you can simply acquire or buy with earthly riches; its worth and origin lie far beyond human comprehension and the confines of our mortal world.
Man does not know its worth, and it is not found in the land of the living.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Job has been exploring where true wisdom can be found, contrasting the painstaking efforts of humans to mine for earthly treasures with the elusiveness of genuine understanding. He argues that even with all our cleverness and all our worldly resources, we are incapable of finding or valuing this divine wisdom, which is ultimately not a human possession.
Job is talking about something incredibly valuable – so valuable that we can't even put a price tag on it. What does this tell us about what truly matters?
Beyond Riches and Power
Job 28 is a poetic exploration of where to find wisdom. In this verse, Job declares that 'Man knoweth not the price thereof.' This isn't just about not knowing the exact dollar amount; it's about our inability to grasp its true, infinite worth.
A Value Beyond Calculation
Think about the most precious things you can imagine: gold, jewels, immense power, vast knowledge. Job is saying that true wisdom, the kind that comes from God, is far beyond any of these. It's so valuable that no amount of earthly treasure, no 'substance of his house,' could ever buy it.
Despised by the World
This incredible worth is often overlooked or even scorned by those who live only for the present. They might see it as foolishness or something not worth pursuing. Our earthly desires and values simply can't comprehend the divine value of God's wisdom.
If wisdom is so priceless, where can we actually find it? Job's answer might surprise you: not here, not among us.
The Earthly vs. The Heavenly
The second part of the verse says, '...and it is not found in the land of the living.' This powerfully states that true, saving wisdom isn't something we can discover through our own efforts, our science, our philosophies, or our worldly experiences.
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Beyond Human Discovery
The 'land of the living' refers to our earthly existence, the realm of mortal men. While we can gain knowledge and skills in this life, the profound wisdom Job speaks of – understanding God's ways, His providence, and His salvation – is not inherently present here. It doesn't originate from our world.
A Divine Revelation
This wisdom comes from a higher source. It's not something we can dig for in the earth or dive for in the sea. It's a gift, a revelation from God Himself, pointing us away from our limited earthly perspective to Him.
Understand the original words
erets chayyim · Hebrew Noun/Adjective
The state or quality of existing; often used in Scripture to refer to the current earthly life of humanity as opposed to the eternal realm or the dwelling place of God.
This passage highlights the immense, incalculable value of wisdom, comparing it to precious metals and jewels, echoing Job's assertion that its true worth is beyond human knowledge or purchase.
1 Corinthians 1:20Paul echoes Job's sentiment by stating that the 'wisdom of this world' is foolishness with God, implying that the true, divine wisdom that Job seeks is not found through human intellect or earthly endeavors.
Isaiah 55:8-9These verses reveal that God's thoughts and ways are far above human understanding, directly supporting Job's point that true wisdom, originating from God, is not something man can discover or comprehend on his own.
Matthew 13:44-46The parables of the hidden treasure and the pearl of great price illustrate that when true value (like divine wisdom) is found, one is willing to give up everything to obtain it, reinforcing the idea that its worth is beyond normal valuation and not readily apparent.
gillJob 28:13: "Man knoweth not the price thereof; neither is it found in the land of the living."
Man knoweth not the price thereof,.... The worth and value of it, what price to set upon it, or offer and give for it; nor does he know where to find an equivalent to it, or what is a valuable consideration for it: as for the wisdom of God in his dealings with men, if a man was to give all the substance of his house to know the secret reasons of them, it would utterly be condemned; yea, if he had all…
clarkeJob 28:13: "Man knoweth not the price thereof; neither is it found in the land of the living."
Man knoweth not the price thereof - It is of infinite value; and is the only science which concerns both worlds. Without it, the wisest man is but a beast; with it, the simplest man is next to an angel. Neither is it found in the land of the living - The world by wisdom, its wisdom, never knew God. True religion came by Divine revelation: that alone gives the true notion of God, his attributes, ways,…
The verse points to something profound: it's not just that wisdom is rare, but that humans fundamentally cannot conceive of its true value or find it within their earthly existence. This implies wisdom isn't something you can simply acquire or buy with earthly riches; its worth and origin lie far beyond human comprehension and the confines of our mortal world.
Job has been exploring where true wisdom can be found, contrasting the painstaking efforts of humans to mine for earthly treasures with the elusiveness of genuine understanding. He argues that even with all our cleverness and all our worldly resources, we are incapable of finding or valuing this divine wisdom, which is ultimately not a human possession.
Job has been exploring where true wisdom can be found, contrasting the painstaking efforts of humans to mine for earthly treasures with the elusiveness of genuine understanding. He argues that even with all our cleverness and all our worldly resources, we are incapable of finding or valuing this divine wisdom, which is ultimately not a human possession.
"Man does not know its worth, and it is not found in the land of the living." — The verse points to something profound: it's not just that wisdom is rare, but that humans fundamentally cannot conceive of its true value or find it within their earthly existence. This implies…
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Last reviewed October 2026