12 "But where, oh where, will they find Wisdom? Where does Insight hide? 13 Mortals don't have a clue, haven't the slightest idea where to look.
14 Earth's depths say, 'It's not here'; ocean deeps echo, 'Never heard of it.' 15 It can't be bought with the finest gold; no amount of silver can get it. 16 Even famous Ophir gold can't buy it, not even diamonds and sapphires. 17 Neither gold nor emeralds are comparable; extravagant jewelry can't touch it. 18 Pearl necklaces and ruby bracelets - why bother? None of this is even a down payment on Wisdom! 19 Pile gold and African diamonds as high as you will, they can't hold a candle to Wisdom.
20 "So where does Wisdom come from? And where does Insight live? 21 It can't be found by looking, no matter how deep you dig, no matter how high you fly. 22 If you search through the graveyard and question the dead, they say, 'We've only heard rumors of it.' 23 "God alone knows the way to Wisdom, he knows the exact place to find it. 24 He knows where everything is on earth, he sees everything under heaven. 25 After he commanded the winds to blow and measured out the waters, 26 Arranged for the rain and set off explosions of thunder and lightning, 27 He focused on Wisdom, made sure it was all set and tested and ready.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Job 28:12-27
Commentary on Job 28:12-19
(Read Job 28:12-19)
Job here speaks of wisdom and understanding, the knowing and enjoying of God and ourselves. Its worth is infinitely more than all the riches in this world. It is a gift of the Holy Ghost which cannot be bought with money. Let that which is most precious in God's account, be so in ours. Job asks after it as one that truly desired to find it, and despaired of finding it any where but in God; any way but by Divine revelation.
Commentary on Job 28:20-28
(Read Job 28:20-28)
There is a two-fold wisdom; one hid in God, which is secret, and belongs not to us; the other made known by him, and revealed to man. One day's events, and one man's affairs, have such reference to, and so hang one upon another, that He only, to whom all is open, and who sees the whole at one view, can rightly judge of every part. But the knowledge of God's revealed will is within our reach, and will do us good. Let man look upon this as his wisdom, To fear the Lord, and to depart from evil. Let him learn that, and he is learned enough. Where is this wisdom to be found? The treasures of it are hid in Christ, revealed by the word, received by faith, through the Holy Ghost. It will not feed pride or vanity, or amuse our vain curiosity. It teaches and encourages sinners to fear the Lord, and to depart from evil, in the exercise of repentance and faith, without desiring to solve all difficulties about the events of this life.