Job 28:21
Job 28:21 in Multiple Translations
It is hidden from the eyes of every living thing and concealed from the birds of the air.
Seeing it is hid from the eyes of all living, and kept close from the fowls of the air.
Seeing it is hid from the eyes of all living, And kept close from the birds of the heavens.
For it is kept secret from the eyes of all living, unseen by the birds of the air.
Wisdom is hidden from the sight of all living things, even the birds of the air cannot see it.
Seeing it is hid from the eyes of all the liuing, and is hid from the foules of the heauen?
It hath been hid from the eyes of all living. And from the fowl of the heavens It hath been hidden.
Seeing it is hidden from the eyes of all living, and kept close from the birds of the sky.
Seeing it is hid from the eyes of all living, and kept close from the fowls of the air.
It is hid from the eyes of all living. and the fowls of the air know it not.
No living humans can see it [MTY]; and birds cannot see it while they are flying [MTY].
Berean Amplified Bible — Job 28:21
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Job 28:21 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְֽ֭/נֶעֶלְמָה
מֵ/עֵינֵ֣י
כָל
חָ֑י
וּ/מֵ/ע֖וֹף
הַ/שָּׁמַ֣יִם
נִסְתָּֽרָה
וְֽ֭/נֶעֶלְמָה
ʻâlam
H5956
to conceal
Conj | V-Niphal-Perf-3fs
מֵ/עֵינֵ֣י
ʻayin
H5869
eye
Prep | N-cd
כָל
kôl
H3605
all
N-ms
חָ֑י
chay
H2416
alive
Adj
וּ/מֵ/ע֖וֹף
ʻôwph
H5775
bird
Conj | Prep | N-ms
הַ/שָּׁמַ֣יִם
shâmayim
H8064
heaven
Art | N-mp
נִסְתָּֽרָה
çâthar
H5641
to hide
V-Niphal-Perf-3fs
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.
Hebrew Word Reference — Job 28:21
וְֽ֭/נֶעֶלְמָה
ʻâlam
H5956
"to conceal"
Conj | V-Niphal-Perf-3fs
This Hebrew word means to hide or conceal something from view. It appears in various forms, including being hidden or keeping a secret. In the Bible, it is used to describe hiding oneself or something from others.
Definition: 1) to conceal, hide, be hidden, be concealed, be secret 1a) (Qal) secret (participle) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be concealed 1b2) concealed, dissembler (participle) 1c) (Hiphil) to conceal, hide 1d) (Hithpael) to hide oneself
Usage: Occurs in 27 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] any ways, blind, dissembler, hide (self), secret (thing). See also: Leviticus 4:13; Job 6:16; Psalms 10:1.
מֵ/עֵינֵ֣י
ʻayin
H5869
"eye"
Prep | N-cd
This word can mean a spring or fountain, but also refers to the eye or a source of something. It is often translated as affliction, outward appearance, or countenance, and is used in various contexts throughout the Bible.
Definition: : eye 1) eye 1a) eye 1a1) of physical eye 1a2) as showing mental qualities 1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 828 OT verses. KJV: affliction, outward appearance, [phrase] before, [phrase] think best, colour, conceit, [phrase] be content, countenance, [phrase] displease, eye((-brow), (-d), -sight), face, [phrase] favour, fountain, furrow (from the margin), [idiom] him, [phrase] humble, knowledge, look, ([phrase] well), [idiom] me, open(-ly), [phrase] (not) please, presence, [phrase] regard, resemblance, sight, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them, [phrase] think, [idiom] us, well, [idiom] you(-rselves). See also: Genesis 3:5; Exodus 34:9; Deuteronomy 28:67.
כָל
kôl
H3605
"all"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
חָ֑י
chay
H2416
"alive"
Adj
In the Bible, this word means life or being alive. It can refer to physical life, like in Genesis 1:20, or spiritual life, like in Psalm 30:5.
Definition: adj 1) living, alive 1a) green (of vegetation) 1b) flowing, fresh (of water) 1c) lively, active (of man) 1d) reviving (of the springtime) Aramaic equivalent: chay (חַי "living" H2417)
Usage: Occurs in 450 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] age, alive, appetite, (wild) beast, company, congregation, life(-time), live(-ly), living (creature, thing), maintenance, [phrase] merry, multitude, [phrase] (be) old, quick, raw, running, springing, troop. See also: Genesis 1:20; Deuteronomy 4:9; 2 Kings 5:16.
וּ/מֵ/ע֖וֹף
ʻôwph
H5775
"bird"
Conj | Prep | N-ms
In the Bible, this word simply means a bird, like the ones that fly in the sky. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Psalms, often symbolizing freedom.
Definition: 1) flying creatures, fowl, insects, birds 1a) fowl, birds 1b) winged insects Aramaic equivalent: oph (עוֹף "bird" H5776)
Usage: Occurs in 70 OT verses. KJV: bird, that flieth, flying, fowl. See also: Genesis 1:20; 1 Samuel 17:46; Psalms 50:11.
הַ/שָּׁמַ֣יִם
shâmayim
H8064
"heaven"
Art | N-mp
The Hebrew word for heaven or sky, it refers to the visible universe and the abode of God. It is often used in the Bible to describe the dwelling place of celestial bodies.
Definition: 1) heaven, heavens, sky 1a) visible heavens, sky 1a1) as abode of the stars 1a2) as the visible universe, the sky, atmosphere, etc 1b) Heaven (as the abode of God) Aramaic equivalent: sha.ma.yin (שָׁמַ֫יִן "heaven" H8065)
Usage: Occurs in 395 OT verses. KJV: air, [idiom] astrologer, heaven(-s). See also: Genesis 1:1; 1 Samuel 2:10; Job 28:21.
נִסְתָּֽרָה
çâthar
H5641
"to hide"
V-Niphal-Perf-3fs
This word means to hide or conceal something, like covering it up. It can also mean to keep something secret or hidden from others, as in Psalm 27:5.
Definition: 1) to hide, conceal 1a) (Niphal) 1a1) to hide oneself 1a2) to be hidden, be concealed 1b) (Piel) to hide carefully 1c) (Pual) to be hidden carefully, be concealed 1d) (Hiphil) to conceal, hide 1e) (Hithpael) to hide oneself carefully Aramaic equivalent: se.tar (סְתַר "to hide" H5642A)
Usage: Occurs in 80 OT verses. KJV: be absent, keep close, conceal, hide (self), (keep) secret, [idiom] surely. See also: Genesis 4:14; Psalms 55:13; Psalms 10:11.
Study Notes — Job 28:21
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Job 28:21 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Job 28:21
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 28:21
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 28:21
- Trapp's Commentary on Job 28:21
- Cambridge Bible on Job 28:21
- Barnes' Notes on Job 28:21
- Whedon's Commentary on Job 28:21
- Sermons on Job 28:21
Context — Where Can Wisdom Be Found?
19Topaz from Cush cannot compare to it, nor can it be valued in pure gold.
20From where, then, does wisdom come, and where does understanding dwell?
21It is hidden from the eyes of every living thing and concealed from the birds of the air.
22Abaddon and Death say, ‘We have heard a rumor about it.’ 23But God understands its way, and He knows its place.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalms 49:3–4 | My mouth will impart wisdom, and the meditation of my heart will bring understanding. I will incline my ear to a proverb; I will express my riddle with the harp: |
| 2 | 1 Corinthians 2:7–10 | No, we speak of the mysterious and hidden wisdom of God, which He destined for our glory before time began. None of the rulers of this age understood it. For if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. Rather, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no heart has imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him.” But God has revealed it to us by the Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. |
| 3 | Matthew 11:25 | At that time Jesus declared, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. |
| 4 | Colossians 2:3 | in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. |
| 5 | Matthew 13:35 | So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet: “I will open My mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden since the foundation of the world.” |
| 6 | Matthew 13:17 | For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous men longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it. |
Job 28:21 Summary
[This verse, Job 28:21, tells us that wisdom is hidden from everything that lives and from the birds in the sky, meaning it's not something we can easily find on our own. It's like trying to see something that's invisible to us, as mentioned in Hebrews 11:1, where faith is described as the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. We need God to reveal wisdom to us, and this is a comforting truth because it means we don't have to rely solely on our own understanding, but can trust in God's wisdom, as seen in Proverbs 3:5-6, which advises us to trust in the Lord with all our heart and lean not on our own understanding.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What is being hidden from the eyes of every living thing in Job 28:21?
The verse is referring to wisdom, which is concealed from all living creatures, as stated in the preceding verse, Job 28:20, where it asks, 'From where then does wisdom come, and where does understanding dwell?' This is reminiscent of Jeremiah 29:13, which says we will find God when we search for Him with all our hearts.
Why are the birds of the air mentioned specifically in this verse?
The birds of the air are mentioned to emphasize that even the creatures that soar high and see far and wide are unable to perceive the hidden wisdom, highlighting its inaccessibility to all of creation, much like in Psalm 139:17-18, where David reflects on God's thoughts being higher than our own.
Is this verse suggesting that wisdom is completely unattainable?
While wisdom is hidden from every living thing, the following verse, Job 28:23, reveals that God understands its way and knows its place, implying that wisdom is not entirely unattainable, but rather, it is found in and through God, as also seen in Proverbs 9:10, which states that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
How does this verse relate to our everyday search for wisdom?
This verse humbles us, reminding us that true wisdom is not something we can achieve on our own or find through our own efforts, but rather, it is something that comes from God, as stated in James 1:5, where it says if we lack wisdom, we should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I have been searching for wisdom in my own strength, and how can I surrender these to God?
- In what ways can I cultivate a deeper fear of the Lord, recognizing it as the beginning of wisdom, as mentioned in Proverbs 9:10?
- How does the realization that wisdom is hidden from every living thing, yet known by God, impact my prayer life and my approach to decision-making?
- What does this verse teach me about the limitations of human understanding and the importance of seeking divine guidance?
Gill's Exposition on Job 28:21
Seeing it is hid from the eyes of all living,.... Meaning not the beasts of the field, as some interpret it; this makes the sentiment jejune and trifling; but rational creatures, men, so the
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 28:21
Seeing it is hid from the eyes of all living, and kept close from the fowls of the air. None can tell whence or where, seeing it, etc. Fowls. The gift of divination was assigned by the pagan especially to birds.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 28:21
Of all living; of all men that live upon the earth. From the fowls of the air: though they fly high, and can see far and well, yet they cannot discern this: men of the most raised understandings cannot discover it. It is to be found no where in this visible world, neither in the upper nor lower parts of it.
Trapp's Commentary on Job 28:21
Job 28:21 Seeing it is hid from the eyes of all living, and kept close from the fowls of the air.Ver. 21. Seeing it is hid from the eyes of all living] As hath been before set forth, Job 28:13. They that see most into it see but in part, and must needs say, that the greatest part of their knowledge is the least part of their ignorance, Maxima pars eorum quae scimus est minima pars eorum quae nescimus. Something they know of his revealed will, but nothing at all of his secret. Whereunto we may add, that there are many occult qualities in nature, the reason whereof the wisest men understand not. And kept close from the fowls of the air] Which yet fly very high, and seem to touch the clouds of heaven; as the eagle, which delighteth in high flying. Some will have the angels (elsewhere set forth as winged creatures) to be here meant; who, although they stand always in God’ s presence, and see much of his majesty, yet not at all nothing near, Isaiah 6:2-3, they cover their faces with their wings, as with a double scarf (as not able to behold his glory), and make their addresses unto him with greatest self-abasements.
Cambridge Bible on Job 28:21
21. seeing it is hid] Rather simply, it is hidden. Job 28:20 as summing up Job 28:15-19 meant, thus Wisdom is nowhere to be attained; Job 28:21 proceeds, it is hidden &c. kept close] i. e. it is concealed from, unknown to the fowls of the air (comp. Job 28:7)—no creature can attain to it.
Barnes' Notes on Job 28:21
It is hid from the eyes of all living - That is, of all people, and of all animals. Man has not found it by the most sagacious of all his discoveries, and the keenest vision of beasts and fowls has not traced it out.
Whedon's Commentary on Job 28:21
21. The fowls of the air — To their acuteness of vision and wondrous habits of migration may be due the widespread ascription to them of superior wisdom.
Sermons on Job 28:21
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
An Humble Inquiry Into, and Prospect Of, the Infinite Wisdom of God, in the Constitution of the Person of Christ by John Owen | John Owen explores the infinite wisdom of God in the incarnation of Christ, emphasizing that this divine mystery is essential for the redemption of humanity. He highlights that God |
|
K-496 the Wisdom of the Cross by Art Katz | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the profound significance of Jesus' crucifixion as a demonstration of God's wisdom. He compares it to the revelation of God at Sinai, but arg |
|
The Bible Meaning of Predestination by Rolfe Barnard | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of being conformed to the image of Jesus Christ. He shares a personal story of a man who expressed a deep desire to be holy a |
|
|
Apostolic Foundations (7 of 12) by Art Katz | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of preaching the unsearchable riches of Christ and making known the hidden truths of God. He highlights the need for grace to |
|
|
Apostolic Foundations - Part 7 by Art Katz | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding the spiritual realm and the role of the church in fulfilling God's purpose. He highlights the need for grace |
|
Evening Thoughts - October by Octavius Winslow | Octavius Winslow reflects on the profound nature of God's law, emphasizing its perfection and the necessity of love for God as the ultimate fulfillment of the law. He discusses the |
|
The Cross Preordained by David Servant | David Servant preaches about God's eternal plan to have a family who would reciprocate His love, emphasizing the free will given to humanity to choose to obey or disobey Him. Despi |