28:1 Surely there is a vein for the silver, {a} and a place for gold [where] they fine [it]. (a) His purpose is to declare that man may attain in this world to various secrets of nature, but man is never able to comprehend the wisdom of God. 28:3 He setteth an end to darkness, {b} and searcheth out all perfection: the stones of darkness, and the shadow of death. (b) There is nothing but it is compassed within certain limits, and has an end, but God's wisdom. 28:4 The flood breaketh out from the {c} inhabitant; [even the waters] {d} forgotten of the foot: they are dried up, they are gone away from men. (c) Meaning, him that dwells by it. 28:5 [As for] the earth, out of it cometh {e} bread: and under it is turned up as it were fire. (e) That is, come and underneath is brimstone or coal, which easily conceives fire. 28:6 The stones of it [are] the place {f} of sapphires: and it hath dust of gold. (f) He alludes to the mines and secrets of nature, which are under the earth, into which neither souls nor beasts can enter. 28:9 He putteth forth his hand upon the {g} rock; he overturneth the mountains by the roots. (g) After he has declared the wisdom of God in the secrets of nature he describes his power. 28:12 But where shall wisdom be found? {h} and where [is] the place of understanding? (h) Though God's power and wisdom may be understood in earthly things, yet his heavenly wisdom cannot be attained to. 28:13 Man knoweth not {i} the price thereof; neither is it found in the land of the living. (i) It is too high a thing for man to attain to in this world. 28:15 It cannot be gotten for {k} gold, neither shall silver be weighed [for] the price thereof. (k) It can neither be bought for gold nor precious stones, but is only the gift of God. 28:18 No mention shall be made of coral, or of {l} pearls: for the price of wisdom [is] above rubies. (l) Which was thought to be a king of precious stone. 28:21 Seeing it is hid from the eyes of all living, and kept close from the {m} fowls of the air. (m) Meaning that there is no natural means by which man can attain heavenly wisdom: which he means by the souls, that fly high. 28:23 God understandeth the {n} way thereof, and he knoweth the place thereof. (n) He makes God the only author of this wisdom, and the giver of it. 28:28 And unto man he said, Behold, the {o} fear of the Lord, that [is] wisdom; and to depart from evil [is] understanding. (o) He declares that man has as much of this heavenly wisdom as he shows by fearing God and departing from evil. | |