The Meaning of Job 28:17 Explained

Job 28:17

KJV: The gold and the crystal cannot equal it: and the exchange of it shall not be for jewels of fine gold.

YLT: Not equal it do gold and crystal, Nor is its exchange a vessel of fine gold.

Darby: Gold and glass cannot be compared to it, nor vessels of fine gold be its exchange.

ASV: Gold and glass cannot equal it, Neither shall it be exchanged for jewels of fine gold.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

The gold  and the crystal  cannot equal  it: and the exchange  of it [shall not be for] jewels  of fine gold. 

What does Job 28:17 Mean?

Context Summary

Job 28:1-28 - The Pearl Of Great Price
A search for this pearl of great price has occupied men in every age. Job compares it with the search of the miner for the hidden treasures of the earth, Job 28:1-12. This paragraph should be read in the r.v. The shaft into the earth, the miner's exile from the cheerful haunts of human life, his exposure to dangers from foul air, water, and the falling-in of the mine, the binding up of the streams, are vividly portrayed. But the miner perseveres through all till he obtains his golden spoil. Would that we were as persistent in our quest for the knowledge of God! Paul was a great miner; he went down into caverns of pain and sorrow, that he might bring to light the treasures of God's wisdom and love.
Only God knows God, Job 28:23. In the depths of His nature, dark with excess of light but hidden from the falcon's eye of human genius, are both knowledge and understanding. He waits to reveal these things to babes, saying, "Fear God, and you will be wise. Depart from evil, and you will understand," Job 28:28. Christ is the Word and the Wisdom of God, 1 Corinthians 1:24. [source]

Chapter Summary: Job 28

1  There is a knowledge of natural things
12  But wisdom is an excellent gift of God

What do the individual words in Job 28:17 mean?

Neither can equal it gold nor crystal nor can it be exchanged for jewelry of fine gold
לֹא־ יַעַרְכֶ֣נָּה זָ֭הָב וּזְכוֹכִ֑ית וּתְמ֖וּרָתָ֣הּ כְּלִי־ פָֽז

לֹא־  Neither 
Parse: Adverb, Negative particle
Root: הֲלֹא 
Sense: not, no.
יַעַרְכֶ֣נָּה  can  equal  it 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, third person masculine singular, third person feminine singular
Root: עָרַךְ  
Sense: to arrange, set or put or lay in order, set in array, prepare, order, ordain, handle, furnish, esteem, equal, direct, compare.
זָ֭הָב  gold 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: זָהָב  
Sense: gold.
וּזְכוֹכִ֑ית  nor  crystal 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, feminine singular
Root: זְכֹוכִית  
Sense: glass, crystal, fine glass.
וּתְמ֖וּרָתָ֣הּ  nor  can  it  be  exchanged  for 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, feminine singular construct, third person feminine singular
Root: תְּמוּרָה  
Sense: that which is exchanged, exchange, substitute, recompense.
כְּלִי־  jewelry 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: כְּלִי  
Sense: article, vessel, implement, utensil.
פָֽז  of  fine  gold 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: פַּז  
Sense: refined or pure gold.