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Job 28:19

Made Simple — Modern English Translation

Translated by Verse Made Simple Editorial
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 the Book of Job, set in the ancient Near East during the patriarchal era, Job delivers a poetic discourse on the limits of human knowledge and the supreme value of God's wisdom. This chapter, Job 28, uses imagery of mining for precious stones to illustrate that true wisdom is not discovered through earthly efforts but comes from God alone. The mention of topaz from Ethiopia highlights the cultural regard for exotic gems as ultimate treasures, underscoring that even these rarities pale in comparison to divine insight.

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