“The topaz of Ethiopia shall not equal it, neither shall it be valued with pure gold.”
The topaz of Ethiopia cannot equal it; it cannot be valued even in pure gold, invoking the topaz of Ethiopia—a stone so rare and precious it was legendary for its value—to assert that even this supreme material worth cannot equal wisdom. The specification of Ethiopia emphasizes the remoteness and rarity of the topaz, suggesting that the most difficult-to-obtain materials still fall short. The assertion that it cannot be valued even in pure gold suggests that quantity of gold cannot compensate for inability to purchase the qualitatively different good that is wisdom. The verse establishes wisdom as belonging to a fundamentally different order of value.
Church Fathers on Job 28:19
-15. But where shall wisdom be found? and where is the place of understanding? Man knoweth not the price thereof: neither is it found in the land of them that live pleasantly. The depth saith, It is not with me, and the sea saith, It is not with me. Fine gold shall not be given for it: neither shall silver be weighed for the price thereof: It is first to be noted, that two points be proposed to himself, and two he adds making answer. For to this that he said above, Where…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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