Albert Barnes Commentary Job 28:13

"Man knoweth not the price thereof; Neither is it found in the land of the living." — Job 28:13 (ASV)

Man knows not the price of it - The word rendered “price” (ערך ‛êrek) properly means that which is set in a pile or row, or which is arranged in order. Here it means preparation, equipment—that is, anything put in order, or ready, (Judges 17:10). It is also used in the sense of estimation or valuation, (Leviticus 5:15), (Leviticus 5:18).

The word “price” here, however, seems to form no proper answer to the question in the previous verse, as the question is “where” wisdom is to be found, not what is its “value.” Many expositors have, therefore, introduced a different idea in their interpretation. Dr. Good renders it, “Man knows not its source.” Prof. Lee, “Man knows not its equal.” Herder, “Man knows not the seat of it.” Coverdale, “No man can tell how worthy a thing she is.” The Septuagint renders it, “Man knows not—όδὸν άυτῆς hodon autēs—her way.”

But the word used here is not employed to denote a “place” or “way.” The true interpretation is doubtless that Job does not confine himself to a strict answer of the question proposed in (Job 28:12). Instead, he goes on to say that man could not buy it. He could neither find it, nor did he have the means of purchasing it with all the wealth he owned.

Neither is it found in the land of the living - That is, it is not found among human beings. We must look to a higher source than man for true wisdom; compare (Isaiah 38:11; Isaiah 53:8).