But where can wisdom be found, and where does understanding dwell?
Parallel translations
- WEB “But where shall wisdom be found? Where is the place of understanding?
- KJV But where shall wisdom be found? and where is the place of understanding?
- NKJV “Butwhere can wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding?
- NASB ¶“But where can wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding?
- NLT “But do people know where to find wisdom? Where can they find understanding?
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Job asks the chapter's central question: where can wisdom and understanding be found?
Overview
Having shown that man can extract every earthly treasure, Job now poses the question that all his digging cannot answer. True wisdom is not buried in the earth to be mined by skill. This question reaches its answer in verse 28, and ultimately points to Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Colossians 2:3).
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 11
- Jas 1:5Now 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.
- Prov 2:4–6if you seek it like silver and search it out like hidden treasure,
- Job 28:20From where then does wisdom come, and where does understanding dwell?
- Prov 3:19The LORD founded the earth by wisdom and established the heavens by understanding.
- 1 Cor 1:19–20For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”
- Col 2:3in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
- Job 28:28And He said to man, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.’”
- Eccl 7:23–25All this I tested by wisdom, saying, “I resolve to be wise.” But it was beyond me.
- Jas 1:17Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, with whom there is no change or shifting shadow.
- Ps 51:6Surely You desire truth in the inmost being; You teach me wisdom in the inmost place.
- 1 Kgs 3:9Therefore give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people and to discern between good and evil. For who is able to govern this great people of Yours?”
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Commentaries & study tools
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Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
Job's cry for a mediator who can lay his hand on both God and man, and his confidence that 'my Redeemer lives' and will stand on the earth, reaches forward to Jesus the living Redeemer.
How Job 28:12 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.