Verse 1

Surely there is a vein for the silver, a and a place for gold [where] they fine [it].

(a) His purpose is to declare that man may attain in this world to various secrets of nature, but man is never able to comprehend the wisdom of God.

Verse 3

He setteth an end to darkness, b and searcheth out all perfection: the stones of darkness, and the shadow of death.

(b) There is nothing but it is compassed within certain limits, and has an end, but God's wisdom.

Verse 4

The flood breaketh out from the c inhabitant; [even the waters] d forgotten of the foot: they are dried up, they are gone away from men.

(c) Meaning, him that dwells by it.

Verse 5

[As for] the earth, out of it cometh e bread: and under it is turned up as it were fire.

(e) That is, come and underneath is brimstone or coal, which easily conceives fire.

Verse 6

The stones of it [are] the place f of sapphires: and it hath dust of gold.

(f) He alludes to the mines and secrets of nature, which are under the earth, into which neither souls nor beasts can enter.

Verse 9

He putteth forth his hand upon the g rock; he overturneth the mountains by the roots.

(g) After he has declared the wisdom of God in the secrets of nature he describes his power.

Verse 12

But where shall wisdom be found? h and where [is] the place of understanding?

(h) Though God's power and wisdom may be understood in earthly things, yet his heavenly wisdom cannot be attained to.

Verse 13

Man knoweth not i the price thereof; neither is it found in the land of the living.

(i) It is too high a thing for man to attain to in this world.

Verse 15

It cannot be gotten for k gold, neither shall silver be weighed [for] the price thereof.

(k) It can neither be bought for gold nor precious stones, but is only the gift of God.

Verse 18

No mention shall be made of coral, or of l pearls: for the price of wisdom [is] above rubies.

(l) Which was thought to be a king of precious stone.

Verse 21

Seeing it is hid from the eyes of all living, and kept close from the m fowls of the air.

(m) Meaning that there is no natural means by which man can attain heavenly wisdom: which he means by the souls, that fly high.

Verse 23

God understandeth the n way thereof, and he knoweth the place thereof.

(n) He makes God the only author of this wisdom, and the giver of it.

Verse 28

And unto man he said, Behold, the o fear of the Lord, that [is] wisdom; and to depart from evil [is] understanding.

(o) He declares that man has as much of this heavenly wisdom as he shows by fearing God and departing from evil.