Job 28:15
New International Version
It cannot be bought with the finest gold, nor can its price be weighed out in silver.

New Living Translation
It cannot be bought with gold. It cannot be purchased with silver.

English Standard Version
It cannot be bought for gold, and silver cannot be weighed as its price.

Berean Standard Bible
It cannot be bought with gold, nor can its price be weighed out in silver.

King James Bible
It cannot be gotten for gold, neither shall silver be weighed for the price thereof.

New King James Version
It cannot be purchased for gold, Nor can silver be weighed for its price.

New American Standard Bible
“Pure gold cannot be given in exchange for it, Nor can silver be weighed as its price.

NASB 1995
“Pure gold cannot be given in exchange for it, Nor can silver be weighed as its price.

NASB 1977
“Pure gold cannot be given in exchange for it, Nor can silver be weighed as its price.

Legacy Standard Bible
Pure gold cannot be given in place of it, Nor can silver be weighed as its price.

Amplified Bible
“It cannot be obtained for pure gold, Nor can silver be weighed as its price.

Christian Standard Bible
Gold cannot be exchanged for it, and silver cannot be weighed out for its price.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Gold cannot be exchanged for it, and silver cannot be weighed out for its price.

American Standard Version
It cannot be gotten for gold, Neither shall silver be weighed for the price thereof.

Contemporary English Version
It is worth much more than silver or pure gold

English Revised Version
It cannot be gotten for gold, neither shall silver be weighed for the price thereof.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
You cannot obtain it with solid gold or buy it for any amount of silver.

Good News Translation
It cannot be bought with silver or gold.

International Standard Version
You can't buy it with gold, and its value cannot be calculated in silver.

Majority Standard Bible
It cannot be bought with gold, nor can its price be weighed out in silver.

NET Bible
Fine gold cannot be given in exchange for it, nor can its price be weighed out in silver.

New Heart English Bible
It can't be gotten for gold, neither shall silver be weighed for its price.

Webster's Bible Translation
It cannot be obtained for gold, neither shall silver be weighed for the price of it.

World English Bible
It can’t be gotten for gold, neither will silver be weighed for its price.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Gold is not given for it, "" Nor is silver weighed—its price.

Young's Literal Translation
Gold is not given for it, Nor is silver weighed -- its price.

Smith's Literal Translation
Shut up gold shall not be given for it, and silver shall not be weighed its price.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
The finest gold shall not purchase it, neither shall silver be weighed in exchange for it

Catholic Public Domain Version
The finest gold will not be paid for it, nor will silver be weighed in exchange for it.

New American Bible
Solid gold cannot purchase her, nor can her price be paid with silver.

New Revised Standard Version
It cannot be gotten for gold, and silver cannot be weighed out as its price.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
It cannot be gotten for gold, neither shall silver be counted for its price.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Gold is not given in exchange for it, neither is silver counted for its price
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
It cannot be gotten for gold, Neither shall silver be weighed for the price thereof.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
One shall not give fine gold instead of it, neither shall silver be weighed in exchange for it.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Where Can Wisdom Be Found?
14The ocean depths say, ‘It is not in me,’ while the sea declares, ‘It is not with me.’ 15It cannot be bought with gold, nor can its price be weighed out in silver. 16It cannot be valued in the gold of Ophir, in precious onyx or sapphire.…

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 8:10-11
Receive my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than pure gold. / 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.

Matthew 13:44-46
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. / 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.

1 Peter 1:18-19
For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life you inherited from your forefathers, / but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot.

Isaiah 55:1-2
“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you without money, come, buy, and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost! / Why spend money on that which is not bread, and your labor on that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of foods.

Psalm 19:9-10
The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever; the judgments of the LORD are true, being altogether righteous. / They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb.

Psalm 119:72
The law from Your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of gold and silver.

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

Revelation 3:18
I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, white garments so that you may be clothed and your shameful nakedness not exposed, and salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see.

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.

Proverbs 23:23
Invest in truth and never sell it—in wisdom and instruction and understanding.

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.

Ecclesiastes 7:12
For wisdom, like money, is a shelter, and the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of its owner.

1 Kings 3:11-14
So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this instead of requesting long life or wealth for yourself or death for your enemies—but you have asked for discernment to administer justice— / behold, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been another like you, nor will there ever be. / Moreover, I will give you what you did not request—both riches and honor—so that during all your days no man in any kingdom will be your equal. ...


Treasury of Scripture

It cannot be gotten for gold, neither shall silver be weighed for the price thereof.

It cannot be gotten for gold.

Job 28:18
No mention shall be made of coral, or of pearls: for the price of wisdom is above rubies.

Proverbs 3:13-15
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding…

Proverbs 8:10,17,19
Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold…

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Job 28
1. There is a knowledge of natural things
12. But wisdom is an excellent gift of God














It cannot be purchased
The phrase emphasizes the inestimable value of wisdom, which is the central theme of Job 28. In Hebrew, the word for "purchased" is "קנה" (qanah), which means to acquire or buy. This suggests that wisdom is not a commodity that can be obtained through material wealth or transactions. The conservative Christian perspective sees wisdom as a divine gift from God, not something that can be earned or bought, reflecting the belief that true wisdom comes from a relationship with God and is a matter of the heart and spirit.

for gold
Gold, in ancient times as well as today, is a symbol of wealth and value. The Hebrew word "זהב" (zahav) is used here, representing the most precious metal known to the people of the time. The use of gold in this verse underscores the idea that even the most valuable earthly possessions are insufficient to obtain wisdom. This aligns with the biblical teaching that spiritual riches far surpass material wealth, as seen in Proverbs 16:16, "How much better to get wisdom than gold!"

nor its price
The term "price" in Hebrew is "מחיר" (mechir), which refers to the cost or value of something. This phrase indicates that wisdom's worth is beyond any monetary value. In a conservative Christian context, this highlights the belief that wisdom is a divine attribute, reflecting God's character and truth, which cannot be quantified or measured by human standards.

weighed out
The concept of weighing, "שקל" (shaqal) in Hebrew, involves measuring something's worth or value. In ancient times, precious metals were often weighed to determine their value. The imagery of weighing suggests a careful assessment, yet it emphasizes that wisdom's value transcends any scale or measure. This reflects the biblical understanding that God's wisdom is infinite and beyond human comprehension.

in silver
Silver, like gold, was a highly valued commodity in the ancient world. The Hebrew word "כסף" (kesef) is used here, symbolizing wealth and prosperity. By stating that wisdom cannot be weighed out in silver, the verse reinforces the message that no amount of earthly wealth can equate to the value of divine wisdom. This echoes the teachings of Jesus in the New Testament, where spiritual treasures are prioritized over earthly riches (Matthew 6:19-21).

Verse 15. - It cannot be gotten for gold. No amount of gold can purchase it; no, not of the purest and most refined quality (1 Kings 6:20, 21), for it is not a thing that can be bought or sold God must grant it, and find a way of imparting it; which he certainly will not do for a sum of money. Neither shall silver be weighed for the price thereof; If gold cannot purchase it, much less can silver - the less valuable medium of exchange. (On the weighing of silver, in sales, see Genesis 23:16; Jeremiah 32:9; Ezra 8:26.)

Parallel Commentaries ...


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

be purchased
יֻתַּ֣ן (yut·tan)
Verb - QalPass - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

for gold,
תַּחְתֶּ֑יהָ (taḥ·te·hā)
Preposition | third person feminine singular
Strong's 8478: The bottom, below, in lieu of

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

its price
מְחִירָֽהּ׃ (mə·ḥî·rāh)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 4242: Price, payment, wages

weighed out
יִ֝שָּׁקֵ֗ל (yiš·šā·qêl)
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 8254: To suspend, poise

in silver.
כֶּ֣סֶף (ke·sep̄)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3701: Silver, money


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OT Poetry: Job 28:15 It can't be gotten for gold neither (Jb)
Job 28:14
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