CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Job 28:20 From where then does wisdom come, and where does understanding dwell?</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/job/28-20.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/8/18_Job_28_20.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Job 28:20 - Where Can Wisdom Be Found?" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="From where then does wisdom come, and where does understanding dwell?" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/job/28-20.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/job/28-20.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/job/">Job</a> > <a href="/job/28.htm">Chapter 28</a> > Verse 20</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad20.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/job/28-19.htm" title="Job 28:19">◄</a> Job 28:20 <a href="/job/28-21.htm" title="Job 28:21">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/job/28.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/job/28.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Where then does wisdom come from? Where does understanding dwell?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/job/28.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“But do people know where to find wisdom? Where can they find understanding?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/job/28.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />“From where, then, does wisdom come? And where is the place of understanding?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/job/28.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />From where, then, does wisdom come, and where does understanding dwell?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/job/28.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Whence then cometh wisdom? and where <i>is</i> the place of understanding?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/job/28.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />“From where then does wisdom come? And where <i>is</i> the place of understanding?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/job/28.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Where then does wisdom come from? And where is this place of understanding?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/job/28.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Where then does wisdom come from? And where is the place of understanding?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/job/28.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Where then does wisdom come from? And where is the place of understanding?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/job/28.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Where then does wisdom come from? And where is the place of understanding?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/job/28.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“From where then does wisdom come? And where is the place of understanding?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/job/28.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Where then does wisdom come from, and where is understanding located?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/job/28.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Where then does wisdom come from, and where is understanding located? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/job/28.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Whence then cometh wisdom? And where is the place of understanding?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/job/28.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Where then is wisdom? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/job/28.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Whence then cometh wisdom? and where is the place of understanding?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/job/28.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"Where does wisdom come from? Where does understanding live?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/job/28.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Where, then, is the source of wisdom? Where can we learn to understand? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/job/28.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"From where, then, does wisdom originate? Where does understanding live? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/job/28.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />From where, then, does wisdom come, and where does understanding dwell?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/job/28.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />"But wisdom--where does it come from? Where is the place of understanding? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/job/28.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />From where then comes wisdom? Where is the place of understanding?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/job/28.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Whence then cometh wisdom? and where is the place of understanding?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/job/28.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Where then does wisdom come from? Where is the place of understanding? <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/job/28.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And the wisdom—from where does it come? And where [is] this, the place of understanding?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/job/28.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And the wisdom -- whence doth it come? And where is this, the place of understanding?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/job/28.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And from whence shall wisdom come? and where this place of understanding?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/job/28.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Whence then cometh wisdom? and where is the place of understanding? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/job/28.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />So then, where does wisdom begin, and where is the place of understanding?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/job/28.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />As for wisdom, where does she come from? Where is the place of understanding? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/job/28.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />“Where then does wisdom come from? And where is the place of understanding?<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/job/28.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Whence then comes wisdom? And where is the place of understanding?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/job/28.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />From where comes wisdom, and what is the place of understanding?<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/job/28.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Whence then cometh wisdom? And where is the place of understanding?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/job/28.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Whence then is wisdom found? and of what kind is the place of understanding?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/job/28-20.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XAwuD5NuZq0?start=4195" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/job/28.htm">Where Can Wisdom Be Found?</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">19</span>Topaz from Cush cannot compare to it, nor can it be valued in pure gold. <span class="reftext">20</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/370.htm" title="370: mê·’a·yin (Prep-m:: Adv) -- Whence?. Probably identical with 'ayin in the sense of query.">From where</a> <a href="/hebrew/2451.htm" title="2451: wə·ha·ḥā·ḵə·māh (Conj-w, Art:: N-fs) -- Wisdom. From chakam; wisdom.">then does wisdom</a> <a href="/hebrew/935.htm" title="935: tā·ḇō·w (V-Qal-Imperf-3fs) -- To come in, come, go in, go. A primitive root; to go or come.">come,</a> <a href="/hebrew/335.htm" title="335: wə·’ê (Conj-w:: Interrog) -- Where?. Perhaps from 'aiyn; where? Hence how?.">and where</a> <a href="/hebrew/2088.htm" title="2088: zeh (Pro-ms) -- This, here. A primitive word; the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that."></a> <a href="/hebrew/998.htm" title="998: bî·nāh (N-fs) -- An understanding. From biyn; understanding.">does understanding</a> <a href="/hebrew/4725.htm" title="4725: mə·qō·wm (N-msc) -- Or maqom; also mqowmah; or mqomah; from quwm; properly, a standing, i.e. A spot; but used widely of a locality; also of a condition.">dwell?</a> </span><span class="reftext">21</span>It is hidden from the eyes of every living thing and concealed from the birds of the air.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/2-4.htm">Proverbs 2:4-6</a></span><br />if you seek it like silver and search it out like hidden treasure, / then you will discern the fear of the LORD and discover the knowledge of God. / For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/1-5.htm">James 1:5</a></span><br />Now 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/8-1.htm">Proverbs 8:1-11</a></span><br />Does not wisdom call out, and understanding raise her voice? / On the heights overlooking the road, at the crossroads she takes her stand. / Beside the gates to the city, at the entrances she cries out: ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/1-24.htm">1 Corinthians 1:24</a></span><br />but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/3-13.htm">Proverbs 3:13-18</a></span><br />Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who acquires understanding, / for she is more profitable than silver, and her gain is better than fine gold. / She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire compares with her. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/2-2.htm">Colossians 2:2-3</a></span><br />that they may be encouraged in heart, knit together in love, and filled with the full riches of complete understanding, so that they may know the mystery of God, namely Christ, / in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ecclesiastes/7-24.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:24</a></span><br />What exists is out of reach and very deep. Who can fathom it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/11-33.htm">Romans 11:33</a></span><br />O, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and untraceable His ways!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/4-7.htm">Proverbs 4:7</a></span><br />Wisdom is supreme; so acquire wisdom. And whatever you may acquire, gain understanding.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/55-8.htm">Isaiah 55:8-9</a></span><br />“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. / “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/13-44.htm">Matthew 13:44-46</a></span><br />The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and in his joy he went and sold all he had and bought that field. / Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls. / When he found one very precious pearl, he went away and sold all he had and bought it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/9-10.htm">Proverbs 9:10</a></span><br />The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/2-6.htm">1 Corinthians 2:6-7</a></span><br />Among the mature, however, we speak a message of wisdom—but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. / No, we speak of the mysterious and hidden wisdom of God, which He destined for our glory before time began.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/2-20.htm">Daniel 2:20-22</a></span><br />and declared: “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and power belong to Him. / He changes the times and seasons; He removes kings and establishes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. / He reveals the deep and hidden things; He knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/1-17.htm">Ephesians 1:17-18</a></span><br />that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in your knowledge of Him. / I ask that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know the hope of His calling, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints,</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">From where then comes wisdom? and where is the place of understanding?</p><p class="hdg">See on</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/28-12.htm">Job 28:12</a></b></br> But where shall wisdom be found? and where <i>is</i> the place of understanding?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/2-6.htm">Proverbs 2:6</a></b></br> For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth <i>cometh</i> knowledge and understanding.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ecclesiastes/7-23.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:23,24</a></b></br> All this have I proved by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it <i>was</i> far from me… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/job/28-12.htm">Dwell</a> <a href="/job/28-12.htm">Resting-Place</a> <a href="/job/28-12.htm">Understanding</a> <a href="/job/28-12.htm">Whence</a> <a href="/job/28-18.htm">Wisdom</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/job/29-25.htm">Dwell</a> <a href="/job/28-23.htm">Resting-Place</a> <a href="/job/28-28.htm">Understanding</a> <a href="/psalms/121-1.htm">Whence</a> <a href="/job/28-27.htm">Wisdom</a><div class="vheading2">Job 28</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/28-1.htm">There is a knowledge of natural things</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/28-12.htm">But wisdom is an excellent gift of God</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/job/28.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/job/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/job/28.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>From where, then, does wisdom come</b><br>This phrase poses a rhetorical question that emphasizes the elusive nature of true wisdom. In the context of the Book of Job, this question highlights the limitations of human understanding and the quest for divine insight. The search for wisdom is a central theme in biblical literature, particularly in the wisdom books such as Proverbs and Ecclesiastes. <a href="/proverbs/2-6.htm">Proverbs 2:6</a> states, "For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding," indicating that wisdom is a divine gift rather than a human achievement. This aligns with the biblical portrayal of God as the ultimate source of wisdom, contrasting human efforts to attain it through earthly means.<p><b>and where does understanding dwell?</b><br>The term "understanding" here is closely related to wisdom but emphasizes discernment and insight. The question of its dwelling place suggests that understanding is not easily accessible or found in the material world. In the cultural context of the ancient Near East, wisdom was often associated with the divine and seen as residing with God or the gods. This aligns with the biblical assertion that true understanding is found in a relationship with God. <a href="/job/28-28.htm">Job 28:28</a> later reveals, "The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding," reinforcing the idea that understanding is rooted in reverence for God and moral living. This phrase also foreshadows the New Testament revelation of Christ as the embodiment of divine wisdom, as seen in <a href="/colossians/2-3.htm">Colossians 2:3</a>, "in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/job.htm">Job</a></b><br>The central figure in the Book of Job, a man known for his righteousness and suffering. Job's quest for understanding and wisdom amidst his trials is a key theme in this book.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_land_of_uz.htm">The Land of Uz</a></b><br>The setting of the Book of Job, traditionally considered to be in the region of Edom or northern Arabia. It serves as the backdrop for Job's trials and dialogues.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/j/job's_friends.htm">Job's Friends</a></b><br>Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, who engage in dialogues with Job, offering their perspectives on his suffering and the nature of wisdom.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The ultimate source of wisdom and understanding, who later speaks to Job out of the whirlwind, providing divine insight.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_heavenly_court.htm">The Heavenly Court</a></b><br>The opening chapters of Job describe a scene in the heavenly court where God and Satan discuss Job's faithfulness, setting the stage for the events that follow.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_source_of_wisdom.htm">The Source of Wisdom</a></b><br>True wisdom and understanding are not found in human intellect or worldly pursuits but are gifts from God. Believers should seek wisdom through prayer and scripture.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_limitations_of_human_understanding.htm">The Limitations of Human Understanding</a></b><br>Like Job, we must recognize the limitations of our understanding and the mystery of God's ways. Humility is essential in our pursuit of wisdom.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_suffering_in_gaining_wisdom.htm">The Role of Suffering in Gaining Wisdom</a></b><br>Suffering can be a catalyst for seeking deeper wisdom and understanding. It prompts us to rely on God and seek His perspective.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_reverence_for_god.htm">The Importance of Reverence for God</a></b><br>Reverence for God is foundational to gaining wisdom. Acknowledging His sovereignty and seeking His will should be our primary focus.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/community_and_counsel.htm">Community and Counsel</a></b><br>While Job's friends offered flawed counsel, the community can be a source of wisdom when grounded in scripture and prayer. Seek godly counsel in times of need.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_job_28.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Job 28</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_doesn't_job_28_align_with_other_wisdom.htm">Why does Job 28 offer poetic descriptions of wisdom's source without reconciling them with scientific or pagan wisdom traditions of the time?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_defines_kant's_philosophy.htm">What defines Immanuel Kant's philosophical beliefs?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_there_a_reason_for_everything.htm">Is there a reason for everything?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_omit_modern_methods_in_job_28.htm">Why does the chapter describe hidden treasures of nature yet fail to mention methods beyond ancient superstition for finding them (Job 28)? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/job/28.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 20.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Whence then cometh wisdom?</span> and where is the place of understanding? This is a repetition of ver. 12, with a mere variant of the verb in the first line. Job's elaborate inquiry of vers. 14-19 having thresh no light on the subject, the original question recurs - Where does wisdom come from? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/job/28-20.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">From where</span><br /><span class="heb">מֵאַ֣יִן</span> <span class="translit">(mê·’a·yin)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_370.htm">Strong's 370: </a> </span><span class="str2">Whence?</span><br /><br /><span class="word">then does wisdom</span><br /><span class="heb">וְֽ֭הַחָכְמָה</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ha·ḥā·ḵə·māh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2451.htm">Strong's 2451: </a> </span><span class="str2">Wisdom</span><br /><br /><span class="word">come,</span><br /><span class="heb">תָּב֑וֹא</span> <span class="translit">(tā·ḇō·w)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_935.htm">Strong's 935: </a> </span><span class="str2">To come in, come, go in, go</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and where</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאֵ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’ê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_335.htm">Strong's 335: </a> </span><span class="str2">Where?, how?</span><br /><br /><span class="word">does understanding</span><br /><span class="heb">בִּינָֽה׃</span> <span class="translit">(bî·nāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_998.htm">Strong's 998: </a> </span><span class="str2">An understanding</span><br /><br /><span class="word">dwell?</span><br /><span class="heb">מְק֣וֹם</span> <span class="translit">(mə·qō·wm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4725.htm">Strong's 4725: </a> </span><span class="str2">A standing, a spot, a condition</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/job/28-20.htm">Job 28:20 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/job/28-20.htm">Job 28:20 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/job/28-20.htm">Job 28:20 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/job/28-20.htm">Job 28:20 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/job/28-20.htm">Job 28:20 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/job/28-20.htm">Job 28:20 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/job/28-20.htm">Job 28:20 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/job/28-20.htm">Job 28:20 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/job/28-20.htm">Job 28:20 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/job/28-20.htm">Job 28:20 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/job/28-20.htm">OT Poetry: Job 28:20 Whence then comes wisdom? Where (Jb) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/job/28-19.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Job 28:19"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Job 28:19" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/job/28-21.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Job 28:21"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Job 28:21" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>