Job 28

Job 28:1

A Vein] Or, a mine.

a vein for the silver] His purpose is to declare, that man may attain in this world to divers secrets of nature, but is never able to comprehend the wisdom of God.

Job 28:2

earth] Or, dust.

stone] Or, ore.

Job 28:3

He setteth an end to darknesse, and searcheth out all perfection] Or, an end is set to darknesse, and all perfection is searched out

He setteth an end to darknesse] Man can carry light into the bowels of the earth, and finde out metals, that else would have lain hid for ever.

Job 28:4

The flood breaketh out from the inhabitant] Water unexpected rise in mine-pits to hinder mens work, but they by art carry them away.

Job 28:5

out of it cometh bread] That is, corn: and underneath is brimstone, or cole, which easily conceiveth fire.

bread] Or, bread-corn, Isaiah 28:28.

Job 28:6

The stones of it are the place of saphirs] There are metals under the earth, which neither fowls nor beasts can come at.

dust of gold] Or, gold-ore.

Job 28:7

which the vultures eye hath not seen] Birds of prey that have quick eyes, and can fly to places inaccessible, cannot come at these metals, though they search all coners for food.

Job 28:9

He putteth forth his hand upon the rock] Metall-men can work in stony places.

rk] Or, flint.

he overturneth the mountains by the roots] It may be read thus. He turneth it up from the roots of the mountains: That is, he can dig under mountains to bring forth gold.

Job 28:10

He cutteth out rivers among the rocks] He brings waters thorow mountains to move his engines, or wash his metals.

his eye seeth every precious thing] He findes out the choicest stones, whereof are made the richest jewels.

Job 28:11

He bindeth the floods from over flowing] He can stop the waters under ground, while he brings forth his minerals.

from overflowing] Heb. from weeping.

Job 28:12

But where shall wisdom be found?] Man may bring metals to light, but he cannot finde out the reasons of Gods proceeding, in prospering wicked men, and afflicting good or, attain to spirituall wisdom in the wayes of God, Rom. 11. 33, 34.

Job 28:13

Man knoweth not the price thereof] No man can get it for any price: or, no man knoweth the value of it.

Job 28:14

The depth saith] Rom. 11. 33, 34.

Job 28:15

It cannot be gotten for gold] Heb. fine gold shall not be given for it. Prov. 3. 13, 14. and 8. 11, 19. and 16. 16.

Job 28:16

It cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir] Heb. laid on the ground, as goods were wont to be, when men lived by exchange, and are yet in some parts, where they lay a heap of salt against a heap of other things to be changed for it, that buyer and seller may see they be of equall worth, Lamentations 4:2.

Job 28:17

The gold and the crystall cannot equall it] Heb. Be set in order against it. See notes on vers. 16.

jewels of fine gold] Or, vessel of fine gold.

Job 28:18

No mention shall be made of corall] They are not worthy to be named in comparison of wisdom.

corall] Or, Ramoth.

above rubies] Precious stones of red colour, as appears, Lamentations 4:7.

Job 28:20

Whence then cometh wisdom?] Vers. 12.

Job 28:21

Seeing it is hid from the eyes of all living] Seeing men that live here below cannot dig to it, nor fowls fly so high.

air] Or, heaven.

Job 28:22

Destruction and death say] Seeing destruction and death have onely heard of it, but cannot attain to it: That is, neither the living, nor the dead, have the full knowledge of it.

Job 28:23

God understandeth the way thereof] The proceedings and intentions, and all the passages of it.

he knoweth the place thereof] He hath it with him, and need not search for the place of it, vers. 20.

Job 28:24

For he looketh to the ends of the earth] Zechariah 4:10. Proverbs 15:3. He must needs know where it is, that sees all things.

Job 28:25

To make the weight for the windes] To send winde and rain at his pleasure, as much as he will, as if he weighed them out.

Job 28:26

made a decree] Or, makes a bound.

for the rain] Amos 4:7.

Job 28:27

Then did he see it] He can as easily guide mens affairs, as the tempests and seasons.

did] Or, doth.

declare it] Or, number it.

prepared] Or, prepareth.

searched] Or, searcheth.

Job 28:28

And] Or, But.

Behold, the fear of the Lord] God keeps that wisdom to himself, whereby he guides mens affairs, but hath revealed another wisdom to men in his commandments to guide them, Deuteronomy 29:29.

the fear of the Lord] Psalms 111:10. Proverbs 1:7. and Proverbs 9:10.

that is wisdom] The way to true and saving wisdom: or, the fruit of it.