Bible Strands
Job 28:13
No man can know its value, nor is it found in the land of the living.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The unnamed speaker in Job 28 addresses humanity's search for wisdom at the precise moment after asking where understanding dwells and before declaring the sea depths lack it. The discourse frames human limitation in locating divine insight.
The words — The verse centers on יָדַ֣ע (ya.Da'), literally "he knows," and תִ֝מָּצֵ֗א (ti.ma.Tze'), literally "it is found," which together state that valuation and discovery remain outside human capacity. These terms establish that wisdom cannot be measured or located by earthly means.
The thread — This claim of inaccessibility runs parallel to Proverbs 3:14 and Proverbs 8:11, which contrast wisdom's surpassing worth with silver, gold, and rubies. The same line of thought continues in Proverbs 8:18, where wisdom's presence yields riches and honor rather than human discovery.
Why it lands — The text states that no person can determine wisdom's worth or locate it among living people. It requires readers to stop relying on human measurement and acknowledge that wisdom lies beyond earthly reach.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Man knoweth not the price thereof; neither is it found in the land of the living.
Cross-references
- Proverbs 3:14 for she is more profitable than silver, and her gain is better than fine gold.
- Proverbs 8:11 For wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire compares with her.
- Proverbs 8:18 With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and righteousness.
- Job 28:15 It cannot be bought with gold, nor can its price be weighed out in silver.
- Job 28:21 It is hidden from the eyes of every living thing and concealed from the birds of the air.
- Psalms 19:10 They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb.
- Psalms 52:5 Surely God will bring you down to everlasting ruin; He will snatch you up and tear you away from your tent; He will uproot you from the land of the living. Selah
- Psalms 119:72 The law from Your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of gold and silver.
- Proverbs 16:16 How much better to acquire wisdom than gold! To gain understanding is more desirable than silver.
- Proverbs 23:23 Invest in truth and never sell it—in wisdom and instruction and understanding.