Job 28:13
New International Version
No mortal comprehends its worth; it cannot be found in the land of the living.

New Living Translation
No one knows where to find it, for it is not found among the living.

English Standard Version
Man does not know its worth, and it is not found in the land of the living.

Berean Standard Bible
No man can know its value, nor is it found in the land of the living.

King James Bible
Man knoweth not the price thereof; neither is it found in the land of the living.

New King James Version
Man does not know its value, Nor is it found in the land of the living.

New American Standard Bible
“Mankind does not know its value, Nor is it found in the land of the living.

NASB 1995
“Man does not know its value, Nor is it found in the land of the living.

NASB 1977
“Man does not know its value, Nor is it found in the land of the living.

Legacy Standard Bible
Man does not know its worth, And it is not found in the land of the living.

Amplified Bible
“Man does not know the value of it; Nor is it found in the land of the living.

Christian Standard Bible
No one can know its value, since it cannot be found in the land of the living.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
No man can know its value, since it cannot be found in the land of the living.

American Standard Version
Man knoweth not the price thereof; Neither is it found in the land of the living.

Contemporary English Version
No human knows the way.

English Revised Version
Man knoweth not the price thereof; neither is it found in the land of the living.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
No mortal knows where it is. It cannot be found in this world of the living.

Good News Translation
Wisdom is not to be found among mortals; No one knows its true value.

International Standard Version
Mankind doesn't appreciate their value; and you won't find it anywhere on earth.

NET Bible
Mankind does not know its place; it cannot be found in the land of the living.

New Heart English Bible
Man doesn't know its price; Neither is it found in the land of the living.

Webster's Bible Translation
Man knoweth not the price of it; neither is it found in the land of the living.
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
No man can know its value, nor is it found in the land of the living.

World English Bible
Man doesn’t know its price, and it isn’t found in the land of the living.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Man has not known its arrangement, "" Nor is it found in the land of the living.

Young's Literal Translation
Man hath not known its arrangement, Nor is it found in the land of the living.

Smith's Literal Translation
And man knew not its estimation, and it shall not be found in the land of the living.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Man knoweth not the price thereof, neither is it found in the land of them that live in delights.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Man does not know its price, nor is it found in the land of those who live in sweetness.

New American Bible
Mortals do not know her path, nor is she to be found in the land of the living.

New Revised Standard Version
Mortals do not know the way to it, and it is not found in the land of the living.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
No man knows the treasure thereof; neither is it found except in the land of the living.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
No man knows her treasury, and it is not found except in the place of life
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Man knoweth not the price thereof; Neither is it found in the land of the living.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
A mortal has not known its way, neither indeed has it been discovered among men.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Where Can Wisdom Be Found?
12But where can wisdom be found, and where does understanding dwell? 13No man can know its value, nor is it found in the land of the living. 14The ocean depths say, ‘It is not in me,’ while the sea declares, ‘It is not with me.’…

Cross References
Proverbs 3:13-15
Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who acquires understanding, / for she is more profitable than silver, and her gain is better than fine gold. / She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire compares with her.

Proverbs 8:11
For wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire compares with her.

Proverbs 16:16
How much better to acquire wisdom than gold! To gain understanding is more desirable than silver.

Proverbs 2:4-5
if you seek it like silver and search it out like hidden treasure, / then you will discern the fear of the LORD and discover the knowledge of God.

Ecclesiastes 7:24
What exists is out of reach and very deep. Who can fathom it?

1 Corinthians 2:7-8
No, we speak of the mysterious and hidden wisdom of God, which He destined for our glory before time began. / None of the rulers of this age understood it. For if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

Romans 11:33
O, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and untraceable His ways!

Colossians 2:3
in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

James 3:17
But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peace-loving, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere.

Matthew 13:44
The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and in his joy he went and sold all he had and bought that field.

Matthew 13:45-46
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls. / When he found one very precious pearl, he went away and sold all he had and bought it.

Isaiah 55:8-9
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. / “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.

Psalm 49:20
A man who has riches without understanding is like the beasts that perish.

Psalm 111:10
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow His precepts gain rich understanding. His praise endures forever!

Proverbs 4:7
Wisdom is supreme; so acquire wisdom. And whatever you may acquire, gain understanding.


Treasury of Scripture

Man knows not the price thereof; neither is it found in the land of the living.

knoweth

Job 28:15-19
It cannot be gotten for gold, neither shall silver be weighed for the price thereof…

Psalm 19:10
More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

Psalm 119:72
The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.

in the land

Job 28:21,22
Seeing it is hid from the eyes of all living, and kept close from the fowls of the air…

Psalm 52:5
God shall likewise destroy thee for ever, he shall take thee away, and pluck thee out of thy dwelling place, and root thee out of the land of the living. Selah.

Isaiah 38:11
I said, I shall not see the LORD, even the LORD, in the land of the living: I shall behold man no more with the inhabitants of the world.

Jump to Previous
Arrangement Comprehend Found Price Thereof Value Way Worth
Jump to Next
Arrangement Comprehend Found Price Thereof Value Way Worth
Job 28
1. There is a knowledge of natural things
12. But wisdom is an excellent gift of God














No man can know its value
This phrase emphasizes the incomprehensible worth of wisdom, which is a central theme in the Book of Job. The inability of humans to fully grasp the value of wisdom reflects the limitations of human understanding compared to divine insight. In biblical context, wisdom is often associated with the fear of the Lord (Proverbs 9:10), suggesting that true wisdom is rooted in a relationship with God. The phrase also echoes the sentiment found in Ecclesiastes, where human endeavors and understanding are often seen as limited and ultimately futile without divine perspective.

nor is it found in the land of the living
This part of the verse suggests that true wisdom is not something that can be discovered through earthly means or human effort alone. It implies that wisdom is a divine attribute, not confined to the physical world. This aligns with the biblical theme that God's ways and thoughts are higher than human ways and thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9). The "land of the living" refers to the earthly realm, contrasting with the divine realm where true wisdom resides. This distinction underscores the need for divine revelation to access true wisdom, as seen in the New Testament where Christ is described as the embodiment of God's wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:24).

Persons / Places / Events
1. Job
The central figure in the Book of Job, a man of great faith and patience who undergoes severe trials and suffering. His discourse in Chapter 28 reflects on the nature of wisdom.

2. Land of the Living
A phrase used to describe the earthly realm where humans dwell, emphasizing the limitations of human understanding and the transient nature of life.

3. Wisdom
The central theme of Job 28, depicted as a precious and elusive treasure that cannot be fully comprehended or valued by human beings.
Teaching Points
The Incomparable Value of Wisdom
True wisdom cannot be measured by earthly standards or possessions. It is a divine gift that surpasses all material wealth.

The Limitations of Human Understanding
Human beings, despite their advancements and knowledge, cannot fully grasp the depth and value of divine wisdom. This calls for humility and reliance on God.

Seeking Wisdom from God
Believers are encouraged to seek wisdom through prayer and scripture, trusting that God will provide insight and understanding beyond human capability.

The Transience of Earthly Life
The phrase "land of the living" reminds us of the temporary nature of our earthly existence and the importance of seeking eternal truths.

The Role of Faith in Understanding
Faith plays a crucial role in understanding and valuing wisdom. It requires trust in God's greater plan and purpose, even when it is not immediately apparent.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Job 28:13?

2. How does Job 28:13 highlight the limits of human understanding of wisdom?

3. What does Job 28:13 suggest about the source of true wisdom?

4. How can Proverbs 2:6 help us understand Job 28:13?

5. In what ways can we seek God's wisdom in daily decisions?

6. How does acknowledging our limitations lead to a deeper faith in God?

7. What does Job 28:13 suggest about human limitations in understanding divine wisdom?

8. How does Job 28:13 challenge the belief in human self-sufficiency?

9. Why is wisdom described as hidden from the living in Job 28:13?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Job 28?

11. How can Job's complaint in Job 3 align with a just and sovereign God, if he questions the value of his own birth?

12. What does the Bible say about climate change?

13. In Job 13:3, how can Job claim he wants to reason directly with God if Exodus 33:20 states no one can see God and live?

14. What is the Bible's stance on eugenics?
What Does Job 28:13 Mean
No man can know its value

- The “it” in Job 28 is God-given wisdom—the ability to see life from His perspective. Like precious metals hidden deep in the earth, its worth is incalculable. Proverbs 3:15 declares, “She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire compares with her.”

- Human measurement falls short. Job’s friends offered opinions, but only God can assess true worth (Job 28:23). Paul exclaims, “O, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!” (Romans 11:33).

- Even the most determined searcher can’t appraise wisdom by intellect, labor, or wealth. Jesus illustrates this with the parable of the hidden treasure: when a man discovers the kingdom, he sells everything for it (Matthew 13:44). The point—earthly pricing systems collapse before heavenly treasure.

- Ultimate value appears in Christ Himself: “Christ Jesus…has become for us wisdom from God” (1 Corinthians 1:30). The costliness of Calvary underscores that no human coinage could purchase what God freely supplies.


nor is it found in the land of the living

- Genuine wisdom isn’t mined from earthly strata, university libraries, or scientific breakthroughs. “The wisdom from above is first of all pure” (James 3:17); it descends, it isn’t dug up.

- Job’s imagery pictures miners plumbing the depths yet returning empty-handed. Likewise, worldly pursuits—success, pleasure, philosophy—cannot uncover the mind of God (Ecclesiastes 1:17-18).

- Scripture constantly lifts our gaze beyond the present sphere: “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things” (Colossians 3:2). Isaiah 55:9 reminds us that God’s thoughts soar higher than ours as the heavens eclipse the earth.

- The only pathway to this other-worldly wisdom is relationship with the One who has “descended from heaven” (John 3:13) and now invites us to Himself. When we ask, He gives generously (James 1:5), proving that what cannot be found horizontally is granted vertically.


summary

Job 28:13 underscores two truths: first, no human can assign a price to divine wisdom; second, no human endeavor can locate it within the boundaries of earthly life. Its source and standard reside in God alone, and He ultimately reveals it through His Word and through Christ, the embodiment of wisdom.

Verse 13. - Man knoweth not the price thereof. The real value of wisdom cannot be estimated in terms of ordinary human calculation. It transcends figures. Neither is it found in the land of the living. True wisdom, such as Job is speaking of (see the comment on vers. 12-28), does not exist among men. It transcends human faculties, and is among the peculiar possessions of the Most High (ver. 23). Hence the Most High is altogether inscrutable by man" his ways are past finding out."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
No
לֹא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

man
אֱנ֣וֹשׁ (’ĕ·nō·wōš)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 582: Man, mankind

can know
יָדַ֣ע (yā·ḏa‘)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3045: To know

its value,
עֶרְכָּ֑הּ (‘er·kāh)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 6187: A pile, equipment, estimate

nor
וְלֹ֥א (wə·lō)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

is it found
תִ֝מָּצֵ֗א (ṯim·mā·ṣê)
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 4672: To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be present

in the land
בְּאֶ֣רֶץ (bə·’e·reṣ)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

of the living.
הַֽחַיִּֽים׃ (ha·ḥay·yîm)
Article | Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 2416: Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life


Links
Job 28:13 NIV
Job 28:13 NLT
Job 28:13 ESV
Job 28:13 NASB
Job 28:13 KJV

Job 28:13 BibleApps.com
Job 28:13 Biblia Paralela
Job 28:13 Chinese Bible
Job 28:13 French Bible
Job 28:13 Catholic Bible

OT Poetry: Job 28:13 Man doesn't know its price (Jb)
Job 28:12
Top of Page
Top of Page