Job 28:20
in Job 28From where then does wisdom come, and where does understanding dwell?
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
Whence then cometh wisdom? And where is the place of understanding?
KJV
Whence then cometh wisdom? and where is the place of understanding?
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This verse in Job 28
Commentary
8 notes on this verseWhence then cometh wisdom? and where is the place of understanding? Seeing that it is hid from the eyes of all living. It deserves to be especially considered, that it is asked by the holy man, whence Wisdom cometh. For It 'comes' from Him from Whom It sprung. Now because It is born of the Invisible and Coeternal Father, the way thereof is hidden. Whence too it is said by the Prophet, And who shall declare His generations?
This site's exposition
From where then does wisdom come
on Job 28:20-22
"From where then does wisdom come, and where does understanding dwell?" repeats the question of verse 12 almost word for word, framing the list of prices. "Abaddon and Death say" they have only heard a rumor of it, the poem's farthest reach before it turns to God.
The record, by era
The Church Fathers1 voice
These words suggest that even though Christ is presented through a simile, he is, however, above any simile or figure or type and is by no means comparable to the saints. He is said to be similar to the hidden and superior powers, but it …
The Medieval Church1 voice
Therefore, since he had said that wisdom is so incomparable and has a hidden origin, he inquires where the source of wisdom lies, saying, "Where, then, is the origin of wisdom?" where does it come from? "And where is the place of understanding," from what …
The Puritans and the Awakening2 voices
Whence, &c. - By a diligent inquiry, we find at length, that there is a twofold wisdom; one hid in God, which belongs not to us, the other revealed to man, which belongs to us and to our children.
Whence then cometh wisdom? and where is the place of understanding? The same questions as in Job 28:12; repeated to set forth the superior excellency of wisdom, and to carry on the discourse, and lead on to other things concerning it. See Gill on Job 28:12.
The Nineteenth Century1 voice
Whence then cometh wisdom? - Nearly the same words as in Job 28:12 (note), where see the note.
1 more voice on this verse
The Nineteenth Century1 voice
A commentator
Albert Barnes1798–1870
Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)
proposed
Whence then cometh wisdom? - This question is now repeated from Job 28:12, in order to give it greater emphasis. It is designed to fix the attention on the inquiry as one which found no solution in the discoveries of science, and whose solution was hidden from the most penetrating human intellect.
The words behind it
7 Hebrew wordsEvery Hebrew word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Hebrew | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| וְֽ֭הַחָכְמָה | vehachakhemah | and <the> wisdom | H2451 → | 153 times |
| מֵאַ֣יִן | meayin | from where? | H370 → | 17 times |
| תָּב֑וֹא | tavo' | does it come | H935 → | 2568 times |
| וְאֵ֥י | veei | and where? | H335 → | 39 times |
| זֶ֝֗ה | zeh | this | H2088 → | 1180 times |
| מְק֣וֹם | mekom | [is the] place of | H4725 → | 401 times |
| בִּינָֽה׃ | binah | understanding | H998 → | 38 times |
וְֽ֭הַחָכְמָהand <the> wisdom
vehachakhemahH2451 →153 times
מֵאַ֣יִןfrom where?
meayinH370 →17 times
תָּב֑וֹאdoes it come
tavo'H935 →2568 times
וְאֵ֥יand where?
veeiH335 →39 times
זֶ֝֗הthis
zehH2088 →1180 times
מְק֣וֹם[is the] place of
mekomH4725 →401 times
בִּינָֽה׃understanding
binahH998 →38 times
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
James 1:17Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, with whom there is no change or shifting shadow.
it leads to
- John 3:27
John replied, “A man can receive only what is given him from heaven.
- Matthew 7:11
So if you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!
- Hebrews 13:8
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
- John 8:12
Once again, Jesus spoke to the people and said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.”
- John 3:27
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.
it leads to
- Proverbs 2:3–6
if you truly call out to insight and lift your voice to understanding,
- John 15:7
If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
- Jeremiah 29:12–13
Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.
- Proverbs 3:5–7
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding;
- Proverbs 2:3–6
Where this verse is studied
On this page
Studies2
About Job
This page draws on 9 works. Open the list of works
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Ephrem the Syrian, COMMENTARY ON JOB 28:21; Gregory the Dialogist, Morals on the Book of Job, Book XVIII; John Gill, Exposition of the Old Testament; John Gill, Exposition of the Old Testament (1748-1763); John Wesley, Explanatory Notes upon the Old Testament; Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible and Thomas Aquinas, Commentary on Job.