Job 28:18
New International Version
Coral and jasper are not worthy of mention; the price of wisdom is beyond rubies.

New Living Translation
Coral and jasper are worthless in trying to get it. The price of wisdom is far above rubies.

English Standard Version
No mention shall be made of coral or of crystal; the price of wisdom is above pearls.

Berean Standard Bible
Coral and quartz are unworthy of mention; the price of wisdom is beyond rubies.

King James Bible
No mention shall be made of coral, or of pearls: for the price of wisdom is above rubies.

New King James Version
No mention shall be made of coral or quartz, For the price of wisdom is above rubies.

New American Standard Bible
“Coral and crystal are not to be mentioned; And the acquisition of wisdom is more valuable than pearls.

NASB 1995
“Coral and crystal are not to be mentioned; And the acquisition of wisdom is above that of pearls.

NASB 1977
“Coral and crystal are not to be mentioned; And the acquisition of wisdom is above that of pearls.

Legacy Standard Bible
Coral and crystal are not to be mentioned; And the acquisition of wisdom is above that of pearls.

Amplified Bible
“No mention of coral and crystal can be made; For the possession of wisdom is even above [that of] rubies or pearls.

Christian Standard Bible
Coral and quartz are not worth mentioning. The price of wisdom is beyond pearls.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Coral and quartz are not worth mentioning. The price of wisdom is beyond pearls.

American Standard Version
No mention shall be made of coral or of crystal: Yea, the price of wisdom is above rubies.

Contemporary English Version
Wisdom is worth much more than coral, jasper, or rubies.

English Revised Version
No mention shall be made of coral or of crystal: yea, the price of wisdom is above rubies.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
be exchanged for it. Wisdom is more valuable than gems.

Good News Translation
The value of wisdom is more Than coral or crystal or rubies.

International Standard Version
Don't even bother to mention coral and crystal— wisdom is more valuable than a bag of rubies.

Majority Standard Bible
Coral and quartz are unworthy of mention; the price of wisdom is beyond rubies.

NET Bible
Of coral and jasper no mention will be made; the price of wisdom is more than pearls.

New Heart English Bible
No mention shall be made of coral or of crystal. Yes, the price of wisdom is above rubies.

Webster's Bible Translation
No mention shall be made of coral, or of pearls: for the price of wisdom is above rubies.

World English Bible
No mention will be made of coral or of crystal. Yes, the price of wisdom is above rubies.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Corals and pearl are not remembered, "" The acquisition of wisdom [is] above rubies.

Young's Literal Translation
Corals and pearl are not remembered, The acquisition of wisdom is above rubies.

Smith's Literal Translation
High things, and crystal, shall not be remembered: and the drawing out of wisdom above pearls.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
High and eminent things shall not be mentioned in comparison of it: but wisdom is drawn out of secret places.

Catholic Public Domain Version
The exalted and the eminent will not be remembered in comparison with it. Yet wisdom is drawn out of concealment.

New American Bible
Neither coral nor crystal should be thought of; the value of wisdom surpasses pearls.

New Revised Standard Version
No mention shall be made of coral or of crystal; the price of wisdom is above pearls.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For the price of wisdom is above that of precious stones. Nor can colored gems, emeralds, and diamonds equal it.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Better is wisdom than precious stones; agate does not compare to it, neither with emeralds nor with chalcedony is it exchanged, for wisdom is better than everything, and nothing compares to it
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
No mention shall be made of coral or of crystal; Yea, the price of wisdom is above rubies.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Coral and fine pearl shall not be mentioned: but do thou esteem wisdom above the most precious things.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Where Can Wisdom Be Found?
17Neither gold nor crystal can compare to it, nor jewels of fine gold be exchanged for it. 18Coral and quartz are unworthy of mention; the price of wisdom is beyond rubies. 19Topaz from Cush cannot compare to it, nor can it be valued in pure gold.…

Cross References
Proverbs 3:15
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.

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.

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

Proverbs 20:15
There is an abundance of gold and rubies, but lips of knowledge are a rare treasure.

1 Kings 10:21
All King Solomon’s drinking cups were gold, and all the utensils of the House of the Forest of Lebanon were pure gold. There was no silver, because it was accounted as nothing in the days of Solomon.

1 Kings 10:27
The king made silver as common in Jerusalem as stones, and cedar as abundant as sycamore in the foothills.

2 Chronicles 9:20
All King Solomon’s drinking cups were gold, and all the utensils of the House of the Forest of Lebanon were pure gold. There was no silver, because it was accounted as nothing in the days of Solomon.

2 Chronicles 9:27
The king made silver as common in Jerusalem as stones, and cedar as abundant as sycamore in the foothills.

Isaiah 13:12
I will make man scarcer than pure gold, and mankind rarer than the gold of Ophir.

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.

Lamentations 4:7
Her dignitaries were brighter than snow, whiter than milk; their bodies were more ruddy than rubies, their appearance like sapphires.

Ezekiel 27:16
Aram was your customer because of your many products; they exchanged turquoise, purple, embroidered work, fine linen, coral, and rubies for your wares.

Ezekiel 27:22
The merchants of Sheba and Raamah traded with you; for your wares they exchanged gold, the finest of all spices, and precious stones.

Revelation 21:18-21
The wall was made of jasper, and the city itself of pure gold, as pure as glass. / The foundations of the city walls were adorned with every kind of precious stone: The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, / the fifth sardonyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst. ...


Treasury of Scripture

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

coral.

Ezekiel 27:16
Syria was thy merchant by reason of the multitude of the wares of thy making: they occupied in thy fairs with emeralds, purple, and broidered work, and fine linen, and coral, and agate.

pearls

Matthew 7:6
Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.

Matthew 13:45,46
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: …

1 Timothy 2:9
In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;

rubies

Proverbs 3:15
She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.

Proverbs 31:10
Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

Lamentations 4:7
Her Nazarites were purer than snow, they were whiter than milk, they were more ruddy in body than rubies, their polishing was of sapphire:

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














Coral and quartz
In the ancient world, coral and quartz were considered valuable materials. Coral, often used in jewelry, was prized for its beauty and rarity. Quartz, a common mineral, was also valued for its clarity and use in various tools and ornaments. The Hebrew word for coral, "ramoth," suggests something elevated or exalted, indicating its esteemed status. The mention of these materials highlights the cultural and economic value placed on them, yet the verse suggests that even these are insignificant when compared to wisdom.

are unworthy of mention
This phrase underscores the insignificance of material wealth in the pursuit of true wisdom. The Hebrew root "zakar" means to remember or mention, implying that these treasures are not even worth recalling in the context of wisdom's value. This reflects a biblical theme that spiritual and moral insights far surpass material possessions, a perspective that aligns with the teachings of Jesus in the New Testament, where He emphasizes storing treasures in heaven rather than on earth.

the price of wisdom
The Hebrew word for price, "mechir," denotes a value or worth that is often associated with a transaction or exchange. In this context, it suggests that wisdom has a value that cannot be quantified or purchased with earthly wealth. This aligns with the broader biblical narrative that wisdom is a divine gift, often associated with the fear of the Lord, as seen in Proverbs 9:10, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom."

is beyond rubies
Rubies, known for their deep red color and rarity, were among the most precious stones in the ancient world. The Hebrew word "peninim" refers to pearls or rubies, both symbols of immense value. By stating that wisdom is beyond rubies, the text emphasizes that no earthly treasure can compare to the worth of wisdom. This echoes the sentiment found in Proverbs 3:15, "She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire compares with her," reinforcing the idea that wisdom is the ultimate pursuit for those who seek to live a life pleasing to God.

Verse 18. - No mention shall be made of coral. The word translated "coral" (רָאמות) means properly "things that are high." It occurs only here and in Ezekiel 27:16. The rabbinical interpretation of the word as "coral" is doubtful, since it was unknown to the LXX. Or of pearls. The word gabish (גָבִישׁ) occurs only in this place. Some identify it with rock-crystal. For the price of wisdom is above rubies. Here we have another obscure word (פָנִינִים), which is variously rendered by "rubies," "pearls," "carbuncles," and "red coral." The balance of authority is in favour of pearls.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Coral
רָאמ֣וֹת (rā·mō·wṯ)
Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 7215: Something high in value, coral

and quartz
וְ֭גָבִישׁ (wə·ḡā·ḇîš)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1378: Crystal

are unworthy
לֹ֣א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

of mention;
יִזָּכֵ֑ר (yiz·zā·ḵêr)
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2142: To mark, to remember, to mention, to be male

the price
וּמֶ֥שֶׁךְ (ū·me·šeḵ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4901: A drawing, drawing up, a trail

of wisdom [is]
חָ֝כְמָ֗ה (ḥāḵ·māh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2451: Wisdom

beyond rubies.
מִפְּנִינִֽים׃ (mip·pə·nî·nîm)
Preposition-m | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 6443: A pearl


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OT Poetry: Job 28:18 No mention shall be made of coral (Jb)
Job 28:17
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