KJV ORIGINAL
The topaz of Ethiopia shall not equal it, neither shall it be valued with pure gold.
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
The topaz from Ethiopia cannot compare to it, and it cannot be valued alongside pure gold.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE
The writer is saying that wisdom is more precious than even the most valuable gems and pure gold.
📚 Historical Context
In ancient times, topaz from Ethiopia (likely modern-day Sudan/Nubia) was among the most prized gemstones in the known world, and pure gold was the standard of ultimate value. Job 28 is a poem about the search for wisdom, where Job lists the most valuable treasures known to his culture to emphasize that wisdom surpasses them all.
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