Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version And he said to the human race, “The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding.” New Living Translation And this is what he says to all humanity: ‘The fear of the Lord is true wisdom; to forsake evil is real understanding.’” English Standard Version And he said to man, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.’” Berean Standard Bible And He said to man, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.’” King James Bible And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding. New King James Version And to man He said, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, And to depart from evil is understanding.’ ” New American Standard Bible “And to mankind He said, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; And to turn away from evil is understanding.’” NASB 1995 “And to man He said, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; And to depart from evil is understanding.’” NASB 1977 “And to man He said, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; And to depart from evil is understanding.’” Legacy Standard Bible So He said to man, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; And to turn away from evil is understanding.’” Amplified Bible “But to man He said, ‘Behold, the reverential and worshipful fear of the Lord—that is wisdom; And to depart from evil is understanding.’” Christian Standard Bible He said to mankind, “The fear of the Lord —that is wisdom. And to turn from evil is understanding.” Holman Christian Standard Bible He said to mankind, “The fear of the Lord is this: wisdom. And to turn from evil is understanding.” American Standard Version And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; And to depart from evil is understanding. Contemporary English Version God told us, "Wisdom means that you respect me, the Lord, and turn from sin." English Revised Version And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding. GOD'S WORD® Translation So he told humans, 'The fear of the Lord is wisdom! To stay away from evil is understanding.'" Good News Translation God said to us humans, "To be wise, you must have reverence for the Lord. To understand, you must turn from evil." International Standard Version He has commanded mankind: 'To fear the Lord—that is wisdom; to move away from evil—that is understanding.'" NET Bible And he said to mankind, 'The fear of the LORD--that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.'" New Heart English Bible To man he said, 'Look, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom. To depart from evil is understanding.'" Webster's Bible Translation And to man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleAnd He said to man, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.’” World English Bible To man he said, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom. To depart from evil is understanding.’” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd He says to man: Behold, fear of the Lord, that [is] wisdom, "" And to turn from evil [is] understanding.” Young's Literal Translation And He saith to man: -- 'Lo, fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, And to turn from evil is understanding.' Smith's Literal Translation And he will say to man, Behold, the fear of Jehovah, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd he said to man: Behold the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom: and to depart from evil, is understanding. Catholic Public Domain Version And he said to man, “Behold the fear of the Lord. Such is wisdom. And to withdraw from evil, this is understanding.” New American Bible And to mortals he said: See: the fear of the Lord is wisdom; and avoiding evil is understanding. New Revised Standard Version And he said to humankind, ‘Truly, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.’” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd to man he said, Behold, the reverence of God, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And he said to a son of man: ‘the awe of God is wisdom, and to depart from evil is understanding’” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And unto man He said: 'Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; And to depart from evil is understanding.' Brenton Septuagint Translation And he said to man, Behold, godliness is wisdom: and to abstain from evil is understanding. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Where Can Wisdom Be Found?…27then He looked at wisdom and appraised it; He established it and searched it out. 28And He said to man, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.’” Cross References Proverbs 9:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. Ecclesiastes 12:13 When all has been heard, the conclusion of the matter is this: Fear God and keep His commandments, because this is the whole duty of man. 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 3:7 Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil. Proverbs 8:13 To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate arrogant pride, evil conduct, and perverse speech. James 3:13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good conduct, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. James 1:5 Now 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. Proverbs 2:5-6 then you will discern the fear of the LORD and discover the knowledge of God. / For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding. Isaiah 33:6 He will be the sure foundation for your times, a storehouse of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. The fear of the LORD is Zion’s treasure. 1 Corinthians 1:24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 1 Corinthians 1:30 It is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God: our righteousness, holiness, and redemption. Colossians 2:3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Matthew 7:24 Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. Matthew 10:28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Treasury of Scripture And to man he said, Behold, the fear of the LORD, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding. unto man Deuteronomy 29:29 The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law. Proverbs 8:4,5,26-32 Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man… fear Deuteronomy 4:6 Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people. Psalm 111:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever. Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. to depart Psalm 34:14 Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. Proverbs 3:7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. Proverbs 13:14 The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death. Jump to Previous Depart Evil Fear Shun Turn Understanding Way WisdomJump to Next Depart Evil Fear Shun Turn Understanding Way WisdomJob 28 1. There is a knowledge of natural things12. But wisdom is an excellent gift of God And He said to man This phrase indicates divine communication, emphasizing that God is the source of true wisdom. Throughout the Bible, God speaks to humanity, revealing His will and guidance. This echoes the creation narrative where God directly interacts with man, highlighting the personal relationship God desires with His creation. ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom and to turn away from evil is understanding.’” Persons / Places / Events 1. JobA man described as blameless and upright, who feared God and shunned evil. His account is one of immense suffering and profound faith. 2. God The Creator and Sustainer of all, who speaks to humanity about the essence of wisdom and understanding. 3. Man Represents humanity, to whom God imparts wisdom and understanding. 4. The Fear of the Lord A central theme in the wisdom literature of the Bible, representing reverence and awe towards God. 5. Turning Away from Evil An action that signifies understanding and aligns with living a life that pleases God. Teaching Points The Essence of WisdomTrue wisdom begins with a reverent fear of the Lord. This fear is not about being afraid but having a deep respect and awe for God's power and authority. Understanding Through Action Understanding is demonstrated by turning away from evil. It is not merely intellectual but is shown through righteous living. The Role of Reverence Reverence for God should permeate every aspect of our lives, influencing our decisions and actions. Practical Righteousness Wisdom and understanding are not abstract concepts but are lived out through practical righteousness and moral integrity. Seeking Divine Wisdom In a world full of conflicting voices, seeking wisdom from God ensures that our lives are aligned with His will and purpose. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Job 28:28?2. How does Job 28:28 define "wisdom" and "understanding" for believers today? 3. What practical steps embody "fear of the Lord" in daily life? 4. How does Proverbs 9:10 relate to Job 28:28's message on wisdom? 5. In what ways can we "turn from evil" in modern society? 6. How can Job 28:28 guide decision-making in challenging situations? 7. What does "fear of the Lord" mean in Job 28:28? 8. How does Job 28:28 define wisdom and understanding? 9. Why is the fear of the Lord emphasized in Job 28:28? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Job 28? 11. What is deophobia? 12. If Job 28:5 implies far-reaching knowledge of earth’s processes, why does it not align with modern geological understanding? 13. Why does Job 28 offer poetic descriptions of wisdom’s source without reconciling them with scientific or pagan wisdom traditions of the time? 14. How can Job 28 claim humans search the depths of the earth (Job 28:1-4) when ancient mining technology was so limited? What Does Job 28:28 Mean And He said to man• God Himself speaks, showing that wisdom originates with Him, not with human speculation (Genesis 1:28; Deuteronomy 5:24; Hebrews 1:1-2). • The address is to “man,” encompassing every person and underscoring the universal reach of God’s instruction (Acts 17:30). • Divine speech carries absolute authority, inviting humble reception rather than debate (Psalm 33:9). Behold • A command to pause and look; the Lord calls for focused attention (Isaiah 65:1; John 1:29). • This word signals that what follows is of supreme importance—worth more than silver, gold, or jewels sought earlier in Job 28 (Proverbs 2:4-6). • God graciously makes wisdom plain, removing any excuse for ignorance (Romans 1:20). the fear of the Lord • Holy reverence that results in worshipful obedience—a wholesome awe that keeps the heart close to God (Proverbs 1:7; Psalm 111:10). • Fear here is relational, rooted in love and respect, not in cringing terror (1 John 4:18; Deuteronomy 10:12). • Such fear aligns the soul with reality: the Lord is Creator, Judge, and Redeemer (Revelation 14:7; Acts 10:35). that is wisdom • Scripture equates reverent fear with true wisdom; it is not merely one path to wisdom but its very essence (Proverbs 9:10). • Wisdom emerges when the mind acknowledges God’s supremacy and the will submits to His ways (James 3:13-17). • Christ Himself embodies this wisdom for believers (1 Corinthians 1:30), proving the point in perfect form. and to turn away from evil • Fear of the Lord shows itself in concrete choices; repentance is wisdom in motion (Proverbs 3:7; 2 Timothy 2:19). • Turning is continuous, a lifestyle of rejecting sin and embracing righteousness (Psalm 34:14; Romans 12:9). • By shunning evil, believers demonstrate the practical outworking of their reverence (Ephesians 4:22-24). is understanding • Understanding is measured by moral discernment, not by accumulating facts (Proverbs 14:16). • The one who obeys gains deeper insight, a principle Jesus affirmed (John 7:17). • Mature believers “have their senses trained to distinguish good from evil,” displaying true understanding (Hebrews 5:14). summary Job 28:28 anchors wisdom in a twofold response to God: revere Him and reject sin. Wisdom is not hidden in remote mines but openly offered through reverent fear. Understanding is not abstract intelligence but the lived reality of turning from evil. In Christ, who perfectly feared the Father and never sinned, this wisdom and understanding stand fully revealed and freely given to all who will heed His word. (28) And unto man he said.--No one can for a moment suppose that this is an historical statement, or is to be treated as being one; but it is nevertheless profoundly and universally true. It is the wisdom of man as man to fear the Lord and to depart from evil; and this is God's primary revelation to man, which virtually underlies and is involved in all others. When we are told, as we are elsewhere, that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, this implies that the fear of the Lord does not supersede, though it may be essential to, any other revelation, or any other development of wisdom, or any other manifestation of it. It is to be observed that the word rendered "the Lord" here is not the four-lettered name Jehovah which was used by Job in Job 12:9, but the other name for the Divine Being (Adonai), which was in later times universally substituted for the name Jehovah by the Jews in reading.Verse 28. - And unto man he said. Not in so many words, not by any written or spoken revelation; but by the nature which he implanted in man, and especially by the conscience wherewith he endowed him. Man feels in his heart of hearts that whatever wisdom may be in the abstract, his true wisdom is "the fear of God," his true understanding "to depart from evil." No amount of intelligence, no amount of cleverness, or of information, or of knowledge, or of worldly or scientific wisdom, will be of any avail to him, unless he starts with this "beginning" (Psalm 111:10; Proverbs 1:7), and builds on this foundation. This foundation, at any rate, Job had. since God bore him witness that he had it (Job 2:3). |
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