Job 28:14

14 The deep says, “It is not in me”; the sea says, “It is not with me.”

Job 28:14 in Other Translations

KJV
14 The depth saith, It is not in me: and the sea saith, It is not with me.
ESV
14 The deep says, 'It is not in me,' and the sea says, 'It is not with me.'
NLT
14 ‘It is not here,’ says the ocean. ‘Nor is it here,’ says the sea.
MSG
14 Earth's depths say, 'It's not here'; ocean deeps echo, 'Never heard of it.'
CSB
14 The ocean depths say, "It's not in me," while the sea declares, "I don't have it."

Job 28:14 Meaning and Commentary

Job 28:14

The depth saith, it [is] not in me
That is, the deep places of the earth, that are dug in it, the mines, and the like, could they speak, they would say there are no metal, nor minerals, no rich treasures of gold and silver ore, of pearls and precious stones, in the bowels of it, that are of the value of wisdom, or to be compared to it:

and the sea saith, [it is] not with me;
had that a voice to speak, it would freely declare, that there is nothing in its vast compass, at the bottom of it, or to be got out of it, as corals that grow in it, and pearls fished from thence, after mentioned, that are a sufficient price for wisdom. Some understand these words, the former part of miners and colliers, and such sort of men, that dig and live in the depths of the earth; and the latter part of mariners, that are employed on the sea, who are generally ignorant and carnal men, and void of the knowledge of wisdom in every view of it; but the sense first given is best.

Job 28:14 In-Context

12 But where can wisdom be found? Where does understanding dwell?
13 No mortal comprehends its worth; it cannot be found in the land of the living.
14 The deep says, “It is not in me”; the sea says, “It is not with me.”
15 It cannot be bought with the finest gold, nor can its price be weighed out in silver.
16 It cannot be bought with the gold of Ophir, with precious onyx or lapis lazuli.

Cross References 2

  • 1. Psalms 42:7; Romans 10:7
  • 2. Deuteronomy 30:13
Scripture quoted by permission.  Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.  NIV®.  Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica.  All rights reserved worldwide.