Job 28:28
And he said to man, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.’”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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What Job calls "wisdom" isn't about finding hidden knowledge or solving all of life's mysteries; it's the profound recognition of God's sovereignty, leading to reverence and a deliberate turning away from wrong. This isn't a complex theological truth, but rather God's direct, practical instruction to humanity about true understanding.
After exploring the unfathomable depths of creation and the inaccessibility of true wisdom, Job concludes by revealing God's own definition of human wisdom. This declaration, meant for all humanity, contrasts the inscrutable wisdom of God with the practical, attainable wisdom meant for us: fearing the Lord and turning away from evil.
We often chase after knowledge, thinking it's the key to a better life. But what if the deepest wisdom isn't found in complex theories or hidden treasures?
Job 28 has been a profound exploration of where true wisdom resides. We've seen that while humans can mine the earth for precious metals and uncover hidden gems, ultimate wisdom remains beyond our reach through such endeavors. The chapter concludes by shifting our focus from the unsearchable wisdom of God to the wisdom accessible to us. God Himself declares that while His own wisdom is the intricate design behind creation, humanity's assigned wisdom is fundamentally different. It's not about unraveling all of God's cosmic plans, but about recognizing our place as creatures before our Creator. The text highlights that God's absolute wisdom belongs to Him alone, the Creator. For us, as creatures, the appropriate and attainable wisdom is found in a posture of reverence and obedience.
God's ultimate prescription for human wisdom isn't a complex formula, but two foundational actions. What are they, and why are they presented as wisdom and understanding?
The verse lays out a two-part foundation for human wisdom: 'the fear of the Lord' and 'to turn away from evil.' These aren't separate instructions but are deeply intertwined.
The Fear of the Lord: The Foundation of Wisdom
This isn't about cowering in terror, but a deep reverence and awe for God that acknowledges His sovereignty, His holiness, and His power. It's an attitude of the heart that recognizes who God is and our relationship to Him as His creation. This reverence naturally leads to a desire to align our lives with His will. It's the starting point, the bedrock upon which all other true wisdom is built.
To Turn Away from Evil: The Practice of Understanding
This is the active outworking of that reverence. Understanding, in this context, isn't just intellectual knowledge; it's discernment and practical application. Turning from evil means actively choosing righteousness, rejecting sin, and making conscious decisions to live in a way that honors God. It's the tangible evidence that the fear of the Lord is genuinely at work within us. As the commentaries suggest, religion has two main branches: doing good (implied in fearing God) and forsaking evil.
Understand the original words
yir'ah · Hebrew Noun
The Hebrew word refers to the reverential awe, obedience, and submission due to God as Creator and Judge; it is the fundamental starting point for a right relationship with Him and the basis of true insight.
chokmah · Hebrew Noun
The supreme, divine attribute denoting the practical application of knowledge, discernment, and moral skill in living a life that honors God and aligns with His created order.
binah · Hebrew Noun
The moral and intellectual capacity to discern between good and evil, often characterized by a practical, experiential knowledge of the truth that leads to godly living.
sur · Hebrew Verb
The wisdom of fearing God and turning from evil, as stated in Job 28:28, is presented not as a mere suggestion but as the foundational principle of human existence, revealed from the very beginning and reiterated throughout Israel's history, especially during times of national crisis and renewal.
c. 3rd Millennium BC
Adam and Eve's Disobedience
The first humans, Adam and Eve, chose to disobey God's command by eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. This act, driven by a desire for forbidden knowledge and wisdom, resulted in the introduction of sin and its consequences into the world.
c. 2nd Millennium BC
God's Covenant with Abraham
God establishes a foundational covenant with Abraham, promising descendants and land. This event begins to shape the religious and national identity of Israel, setting the stage for future revelations of God's wisdom and commands.
c. 15th-13th century BC
The Law Given at Sinai
God delivers the Ten Commandments and the Law through Moses to the Israelites. This codified revelation provides a clear framework for worship, justice, and daily life, emphasizing obedience and the fear of the Lord as central to wisdom.
c. 10th century BC
Reign of Solomon
King Solomon, renowned for his wisdom, builds the First Temple in Jerusalem and writes significant portions of wisdom literature, including Proverbs. This era represents a peak of Israel's national prosperity and divinely-inspired insight.
This passage directly echoes Job's sentiment, stating that 'The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction,' highlighting the foundational role of reverence for God in true understanding.
Psalm 111:10This verse reinforces the idea that wisdom stems from fearing the Lord and living according to His ways. It connects the 'fear of the Lord' with 'understanding' and 'keeping His commandments,' mirroring Job's linkage of fearing God with wisdom and turning from evil with understanding.
Ecclesiastes 12:13This verse serves as a powerful conclusion to wisdom literature, stating, 'The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.' It aligns perfectly with Job's assertion that fearing God and turning from evil is the essence of wisdom and understanding for humanity.
1 Peter 3:11This New Testament passage provides a practical outworking of Job's principle, urging believers to 'turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.' It shows how the ancient wisdom of Job continues to guide ethical living and spiritual maturity.
bensonJob 28:28: "And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding."
Job 28:28 . And — Or, rather, but, unto man — For this is added by way of opposition, to show that man’s wisdom doth not lie in a curious inquiry into, or an exact knowledge of God’s secret counsels, and the ways of his providence, but in things of quite another nature; he said — Unto Adam, in the day when he was created, and in and with him to all his posterity: that is, G…
clarkeJob 28:28: "And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding."
Unto man he said - לאדם laadam, unto man, he said: This probably refers to the revelation of his will which God gave to Adam after his fall. He had before sought for wisdom in a forbidden way. When he and Eve saw that the tree was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, they took and did eat, Genesis 3:6 . Thus they lost all the wisdom that they ha…
What Job calls "wisdom" isn't about finding hidden knowledge or solving all of life's mysteries; it's the profound recognition of God's sovereignty, leading to reverence and a deliberate turning away from wrong. This isn't a complex theological truth, but rather God's direct, practical instruction to humanity about true understanding.
After exploring the unfathomable depths of creation and the inaccessibility of true wisdom, Job concludes by revealing God's own definition of human wisdom. This declaration, meant for all humanity, contrasts the inscrutable wisdom of God with the practical, attainable wisdom meant for us: fearing the Lord and turning away from evil.
After exploring the unfathomable depths of creation and the inaccessibility of true wisdom, Job concludes by revealing God's own definition of human wisdom. This declaration, meant for all humanity, contrasts the inscrutable wisdom of God with the practical, attainable wisdom meant for us: fearing the Lord and turning away from evil.
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Refers to the intentional moral action of withdrawing from sin, wickedness, or actions that are contrary to God’s holy standards.
c. 8th century BC
Prophetic Warnings
Prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah warn Israel and Judah about the consequences of turning away from God and embracing evil. They call the people back to true wisdom, which is found in fearing the Lord and living righteously.
c. 6th century BC
Babylonian Exile Begins
The first wave of Jewish exiles, including young men like Daniel, are taken to Babylon. This period of national catastrophe serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of abandoning God's ways and prompts deep reflection on wisdom and obedience.
c. 5th century BC
Post-Exilic Period
After the return from exile, the Jewish people rebuild Jerusalem and the Temple. Ezra and Nehemiah lead reforms, re-emphasizing the Law and the importance of fearing the Lord and turning from evil as the foundation for national renewal and spiritual life.
"And he said to man, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.’”" — What Job calls "wisdom" isn't about finding hidden knowledge or solving all of life's mysteries; it's the profound recognition of God's sovereignty, leading to reverence and a deliberate turning away…
