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Selected Verse: Job 28:18 - Strong Concordance
Verse |
Translation |
Text |
Job 28:18 |
Strong Concordance |
No mention [02142] shall be made of coral [07215], or of pearls [01378]: for the price [04901] of wisdom [02451] is above rubies [06443]. |
|
King James |
No mention shall be made of coral, or of pearls: for the price of wisdom is above rubies. |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
Red coral (Eze 27:16).
pearls--literally, "what is frozen." Probably crystal; and Job 28:17 will then be glass.
rubies--UMBREIT translates "pearls" (see Lam 4:1; Pro 3:15). The Urim and Thummim, the means of consulting God by the twelve stones on the high priest's breastplate, "the stones of the sanctuary" (Lam 4:1), have their counterpart in this chapter; the precious stones symbolizing the "light" and "perfection" of the divine wisdom. |
Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
No mention shall be made of coral - That is, as a price by which to purchase wisdom, or in comparison with wisdom. The margin here is, "Ramoth" - retaining the Hebrew word ראמה râ'mâh. Jerome renders it, "excelsa" - exalted or valuable things. So the Septuagint, Μετέωρα Meteōra - exalted or sublime things; as if the word were from רום, to be exalted. According to the rabbis, the word here means "red coral." It occurs also in Eze 27:16, where it is mentioned as a valuable commodity in merchandise in which Syria traded with Tyre, and occurs in connection with emeralds, purple, broidered work, fine linen, and agate. The coral is a well known marine substance, not valued now as if it were a precious stone, but probably in the time of Job regarded as of value sufficient to be reckoned with gems. It was not rare, though its uses were not known. As a beautiful object, it might at that time deserve to be mentioned in connection with pearls.
It is now found in abundance in the Red Sea, and probably that which was known to Job was obtained there. Shaw says, "In rowing gently over it (the port Tor), while the surface of the sea was calm, such a diversity of "Madrepores Furuses," and other marine vegetables, presented themselves to the eye, that we could not forbear taking them, as Pliny (L. xiii. cap. 25) had done before us, for a forest under water. The branched Madrepores particularly contributed very much to authorize the comparison, for we passed over several that were eight or ten feet high, growing sometimes pyramidical like the cypress, and at other times had their branches more open and diffused, like the oak; not to speak of others which, like the creeping plants, spread themselves over the bottom of the sea;" Travels, p. 384, Ed. Oxford, 1738. It should be added, however, that there is no absolute certainty that Job referred here to coral. The Hebrew word would suggest simply that which was "exalted in value," or of great price; and it is not easy to determine to what particular substance Job meant to apply it.
Or of pearls - גבישׁ gâbı̂ysh. This word occurs nowhere else, though אלגבישׁ 'elgâbı̂ysh, is found in Eze 13:11, Eze 13:13; Eze 38:22, where it means hail-stones, or pieces of ice. Perhaps the word here means merely "crystal" - resembling ice. So Umbreit Gesenius, and others, understand it. Prof. Lee supposes that the word used here denotes that which is "aggregated" and then what is "massive," or "vast;" see his note on this place. Jerome renders it, "eminentia" - exalted, lofty things; the Septuagint retains the word without attempting to translate it - γαβὶς gabis - and the fact that they have not endeavored to render it, is a strong circumstance to show that it is now hopeless to attempt to determine its meaning.
Above rubies - The ruby is a precious stone of a carmine red color, sometimes verging to violet. There are two kinds of rubies, the oriental or corundum, and the spinelle. The ruby is next in hardness to the diamond, and approaches it in value. The oriental ruby is the same as the sapphire. The ruby is found in the kingdom of Pegu, in the Mysore country, in Ceylon, and in some other places, and is usually imbedded in gneiss. It is by no means certain, however, that the word used here (פנינים pânı̂ynı̂ym) means rubies. Many of the rabbis suppose that "pearls" are meant by it; and so Bochart, Hieroz. ii. Lib. v. c. 6, 7, understands it. John D. Michaelis understands it to mean "red corals," and Gesenius concurs with this opinion. Umbreit renders it, "Perlen" - "pearls." The word occurs in Pro 3:15; Pro 8:11; Pro 20:15; Pro 31:10; Lam 4:7. In the Proverbs, as here, it is used in comparison with wisdom, and undoubtedly denotes one of the precious gems. |
1 How is the gold [02091] become dim [06004] ! how is the most [02896] fine gold [03800] changed [08132] ! the stones [068] of the sanctuary [06944] are poured out [08210] in the top [07218] of every street [02351].
15 She is more precious [03368] than rubies [06443]: and all the things thou canst desire [02656] are not to be compared [07737] unto her.
1 How is the gold [02091] become dim [06004] ! how is the most [02896] fine gold [03800] changed [08132] ! the stones [068] of the sanctuary [06944] are poured out [08210] in the top [07218] of every street [02351].
17 The gold [02091] and the crystal [02137] cannot equal [06186] it: and the exchange [08545] of it shall not be for jewels [03627] of fine gold [06337].
16 Syria [0758] was thy merchant [05503] by reason of the multitude [07230] of the wares of thy making [04639]: they occupied [05414] in thy fairs [05801] with emeralds [05306], purple [0713], and broidered work [07553], and fine linen [0948], and coral [07215], and agate [03539].
7 Her Nazarites [05139] were purer [02141] than snow [07950], they were whiter [06705] than milk [02461], they were more ruddy [0119] in body [06106] than rubies [06443], their polishing [01508] was of sapphire [05601]:
10 Who can find [04672] a virtuous [02428] woman [0802]? for her price [04377] is far [07350] above rubies [06443].
15 There is [03426] gold [02091], and a multitude [07230] of rubies [06443]: but the lips [08193] of knowledge [01847] are a precious [03366] jewel [03627].
11 For wisdom [02451] is better [02896] than rubies [06443]; and all the things that may be desired [02656] are not to be compared [07737] to it.
15 She is more precious [03368] than rubies [06443]: and all the things thou canst desire [02656] are not to be compared [07737] unto her.
22 And I will plead [08199] against him with pestilence [01698] and with blood [01818]; and I will rain [04305] upon him, and upon his bands [0102], and upon the many [07227] people [05971] that are with him, an overflowing [07857] rain [01653], and great hailstones [0417] [068], fire [0784], and brimstone [01614].
13 Therefore thus saith [0559] the Lord [0136] GOD [03069]; I will even rend [01234] it with a stormy [05591] wind [07307] in my fury [02534]; and there shall be an overflowing [07857] shower [01653] in mine anger [0639], and great hailstones [0417] [068] in my fury [02534] to consume [03617] it.
11 Say [0559] unto them which daub [02902] it with untempered [08602] morter, that it shall fall [05307]: there shall be an overflowing [07857] shower [01653]; and ye [0859], O great hailstones [0417] [068], shall fall [05307]; and a stormy [05591] wind [07307] shall rend [01234] it.
16 Syria [0758] was thy merchant [05503] by reason of the multitude [07230] of the wares of thy making [04639]: they occupied [05414] in thy fairs [05801] with emeralds [05306], purple [0713], and broidered work [07553], and fine linen [0948], and coral [07215], and agate [03539].