Job 28:20

"The topaz of Ethiopia will not equal it. It won’t be valued with pure gold."

Key Reflection

In Job 28:20, the Israelite audience would have recognized that this passage contrasts the preciousness of wisdom with material wealth. The topaz from Ethiopia, known for its rich and vibrant gemstones, does not equal the value of true wisdom. This metaphor underscores how valuable and sought-after wisdom is compared to even the finest treasures, highlighting the transcendent worth of understanding and knowledge in God’s eyes.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

Whence then cometh wisdom? -This question is now repeated fromJob 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.

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