Job 28:12
But where can wisdom be found, and where does understanding dwell?
BSB
ASV
But where shall wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding?
KJV
But where shall wisdom be found? and where is the place of understanding?
The poem's central question: wisdom cannot be mined, bought, or traded for
Rare words are the text's own signal of a deliberate thread: the fewer the occurrences, the more the places it appears belong together.
But where shall wisdom be found? - It is most evident that the terms wisdom and understanding are used here in a widely different sense from all those arts and sciences which have their relation to man in his animal and social state, and from all that reason and intellect by which man is distinguished from all other animals. Now as these terms חכמה chochmah, wisdom, and בינה binah, understanding or discernment, are often applied in the sacred writings in their common acceptations, we must have recourse to what Job says of them, to know their meaning in this place.
This is a question we should all put. While the most of men are asking, "Where shall money be found?" we should ask, Where may wisdom be found? that we may seek it and find it, not vain philosophy, or carnal policy, but true religion; for that is the only true wisdom, that is it which best improves our faculties and best secures our spiritual and eternal welfare.
The knowledge of God's secret will, the will of his providence, is out of our reach, and what God has reserved to himself. It belongs to the Lord our God. To know the particulars of what God will do hereafter, and the reasons of what he is doing now, is the knowledge Job first speaks of.
Can man discover the Divine Wisdom by which the world is governed, as he can the treasures hidden in the earth? Divine Wisdom is conceived as a person (Job 28:12-27) distinct from God (Job 28:23; also in Pr 8:23, 27). The Almighty Word, Jesus Christ, we know now, is that Wisdom.
The walk8
Follow this verse’s cross-references two steps out. Each card is a verse this one points to, and beneath it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several different paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it. Every stop shows its own words, and every stop is a page.
Through
James 1:5Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
leads to
if you truly call out to insight and lift your voice to understanding,
If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding;
And this is the confidence that we have before Him: If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
Through
Colossians 2:3in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
leads to
but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
It is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God: our righteousness, holiness, and redemption.
Through
Proverbs 3:19The LORD founded the earth by wisdom and established the heavens by understanding.
leads to
How many are Your works, O LORD! In wisdom You have made them all; the earth is full of Your creatures.
