King James Version

What Does Job 28:16 Mean?

Job 28:16 in the King James Version says “It cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir, with the precious onyx, or the sapphire.” — study this verse from Job chapter 28 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“It cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir, with the precious onyx, or the sapphire.”

Job 28:16 · KJV

Context

14

The depth saith, It is not in me: and the sea saith, It is not with me.

15

It cannot be gotten for gold, neither shall silver be weighed for the price thereof. It: Heb. Fine gold shall not be given for it

16

It cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir, with the precious onyx, or the sapphire.

17

The gold and the crystal cannot equal it: and the exchange of it shall not be for jewels of fine gold. jewels: or, vessels of

18

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

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
It cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir, with the precious onyx, or the sapphire. This verse continues Job's magnificent poem on wisdom (Job 28), declaring wisdom's incomparable value. The Hebrew verb salah (סָלָה, "valued") means to weigh, measure, or compare—wisdom cannot be measured against even the most precious materials.

The gold of Ophir (כֶּתֶם אוֹפִיר, ketem Ophir) represents the ancient world's finest gold. Ophir's location remains debated (possibly Arabia, East Africa, or India), but its gold was legendary for purity and quality (1 Kings 9:28, 10:11; Psalm 45:9; Isaiah 13:12). Kings sought Ophir's gold for temple construction and royal treasures. Job declares that even this superlative gold cannot purchase wisdom.

Precious onyx (שֹׁהַם, shoham) and sapphire (סַפִּיר, sappir) complete the trinity of earth's treasures. The shoham may refer to onyx, beryl, or another precious stone; it adorned the high priest's ephod (Exodus 28:9). The sappir (lapis lazuli) provided deep blue coloring prized throughout the ancient Near East. These gems decorated thrones, temples, and royal regalia.

The theological point is profound: wisdom—true knowledge of God and His ways—transcends all material wealth. This anticipates Christ's teaching that the kingdom of heaven is like treasure worth selling all to obtain (Matthew 13:44-46). Paul echoes this when he counts all things as loss compared to knowing Christ (Philippians 3:8). Job 28 culminates with wisdom's true location: "the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom" (28:28).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Job 28 stands as ancient wisdom literature's most beautiful poem on wisdom's value and elusiveness. Written during the patriarchal period (possibly 2000-1800 BC), the chapter describes mining operations with remarkable technical accuracy—ancient peoples extracted copper, iron, gold, and precious stones from deep mines. The detailed mining imagery (28:1-11) establishes human ingenuity in finding earth's treasures, which makes wisdom's hiddenness all the more striking.

Ophir's gold trade flourished during Solomon's reign (970-931 BC), though the location was known earlier. Solomon's fleet brought gold from Ophir (1 Kings 9:26-28), and the phrase "gold of Ophir" became proverbial for supreme quality. Archaeological evidence confirms extensive ancient mining operations throughout the Near East, validating Job's technical descriptions.

The chapter's structure moves from human ability to find hidden minerals (vv. 1-11) to wisdom's superior hiddenness (vv. 12-22) to God's exclusive possession of wisdom (vv. 23-27) to wisdom's accessibility through fearing God (v. 28). This progression influenced later biblical wisdom literature (Proverbs 3:13-15, 8:10-11) and the New Testament's identification of Christ as God's wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:24, 30; Colossians 2:3).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does comparing wisdom to the most valuable materials challenge modern culture's priorities of wealth accumulation?
  2. What does it mean practically to value knowing God above material prosperity or success?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 7 words
לֹֽא1 of 7
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

תְ֭סֻלֶּה2 of 7

“It cannot be valued”

H5541

to hang up, i.e., weigh, or (figuratively) contemn

בְּכֶ֣תֶם3 of 7

“with the gold”

H3800

properly, something carved out, i.e., ore; hence, gold (pure as originally mined)

אוֹפִ֑יר4 of 7

“of Ophir”

H211

ophir, the name of a son of joktan, and of a gold region in the east

בְּשֹׁ֖הַם5 of 7

“onyx”

H7718

a gem, probably the beryl (from its pale green color)

יָקָ֣ר6 of 7

“with the precious”

H3368

valuable (objectively or subjectively)

וְסַפִּֽיר׃7 of 7

“or the sapphire”

H5601

a gem (perhaps used for scratching other substances), probably the sapphire

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Job. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Job 28:16 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Job 28:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 45:9Ezekiel 28:13Isaiah 13:12Exodus 28:201 Chronicles 29:4

Places in This Verse

OphirRegion · Modern: southwestern Arabia · 18.22°N, 42.50°E10 verses across 6 books
View all places in Job 28 →

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