Job 28:18

Of coral and jasper no mention will be made; the price ¹  of wisdom is more than pearls. ² 

Pr 3:15; Pr 31:10; La 4:7; Eze 27:16; Mt 7:6; Mt 13:45,46; 1Ti 2:9; Re 17:4; Re 18:12; Re 21:21

¹ tn The word מֶשֶׁךְ (meshekh) comes from a root meaning “to grasp; to seize; to hold,” and so the derived noun means “grasping; acquiring; taking possession,” and therefore, “price” (see the discussion in R. Gordis, Job, 309). Gray renders it “acquisition” (so A. Cohen, AJSL 40 [1923/24]: 175).

² tn In Lam 4:7 these are described as red, and so have been identified as rubies (so NIV) or corals.