Job 28

Job having shewed the reach of human reason in the things of this world, v.1. etc. He declareth, that it is not to be compared with the transcendeth wisdom of God, which is unestimable and no where to be found, 12. But with God that hath and used it, 23. Adding thereunto wherein the true wisdom of a man doth lie, 28.

1. Certainly [Job having shewed that God doth punish likewise some of the wicked in this life, although not all, and perceiving that his friends were not able to understand this, teacheth now, that the Judgements of God are incomprehensible for us, and that man hath indeed wit and ability enough, to find out and comprehend many earthly things, here c.1,2, &c. But is not able to search out the grounds and reasons of the wonderful government of God, below v.22. &c.] there is an issue for the silver, [i.e. places in the earth, out of which it is digged. For the finding out of this, and to discern and sever the silver in its ore from earth, stones and baser metals, man hath wit and knowledge enough: and so in the sequel.] and a place for the gold, that they melt. [they, viz. The artificers, miners and refiners. Or, there where it is melted. See above 4.on v.19.]

2. The iron is taken out of the dust. [i.e. out of the earth] and copper is melted out of stone. [by some called Cadmia, mixing therewith the stone Chalcitis, whence it is thought that copper is made. Plinius natural. Hist Lib.34.chap.1. and 2. Oth. Render this place the stone is molten into copper. Or the stone doth power out the copper. Or out of molten stone cometh copper.]

3. The end [i.e. the utmost bounds of all mines, caves, caverns, holes of the Earth] (which God) [others insert here the word man, and read this v. Thus. Man setteth an end for the darkness, and for all accomplishment, which he searcheth, as the stones of darkness, [understand the things that lie most abstruse in the deepest and darkest parts of the earth, as metals, minerals, precious stones, etc. As appeareth by the words following.] and the very uttermost [Oth. All perfection, i.e. whatsoever is serviceable for to make anything of it, or by it.] he [viz. Man] searcheth into: the stones of darkness, [i.e. which lay hid in the dark] and the shadow of death. [See of that above chap.3.on v.5.]

4. If a brook break through by him that dwelleth there: [i.e. if it happen, or fall out, that the hole of the mine, out of which some metals or stones are digged, growth full of waters, which sappeth and breaketh in there, from some neighbouring place; forsaking thus the old channel, and those that dwell by it.] (the waters) [viz. Of that brook] being forgotten of the foot [i.e. which waters the foot of man is not able any more or pass or wade through, because of the great depth] are drawn out by man and pass away. [the meaning is; for all that the waters, which fall out of the foresaid brook into the mine, be so deep, that they are forgotten by mans foot, i.e. cannot be waded through; nevertheless by the industry and labour of man, they are drawn out and gotten away. Or thus (when the waters) of the foot were forgotten, i.e. where there was no water before, or none felt by the foot.]

5. Out of the earth cometh forth bread; [i.e. the corns of which the bread is made and baken] and underneath it is altered, as if it were fire [i.e. the earth hath her veins and gifts of sulphur and other fiery material, which men know how to find out.]

6. The stones [viz. Of the Earth] are the place of the Saphir: [i.e. have among them, or contain the Saphir-stones, which the miners are digging out. See of these stones also below v.16. Item Exod.24.10. and 28.18. Cant.5 14.] and it [that place namely] hath small dust of gold, [i.e. grains, or sands of gold which are mixed with the earth, and by the industry and labour of man gathered and severed.]

7. The bird of prey [understand a certain kind of fowl, which being very greedy for prey, doth very narrowly search all hidden places] hath not known the path; [viz. To get unto any of the foresaid places.] and the eye of the crow [which as writers testify, are very sharp-sighted. See Levit.11.on v.14.] hath not seen it.

8. The young haughty beasts [Heb. The sons of the wild beast. Compare below chap.41.25.] have not trodden it: [the path namely, or descent which leadeth to the place of the gold and precious stones. Understand hereby, that although no kind of beasts, by any excelling quality of theirs before others, is able to find out or make its way unto place; yet man is able to do it by his labour and industry.] the fell Lion hath not passed over it.

9. He [man namely] layeth his hand on the flinty (rock): [on the very hardest stony rock that is.] he overturneth the hills by the roots. [viz. By piercing, darting, levelling, undermining them, etc. Far to search metals, minerals and precious stones thence, or to draw forth brooks, floods, streams and fountains out them? Or to make the Country sit and proper for tilling and building.]

10. In the stony rocks he heweth out streams; [Heb. He splitteth, or cleaveth rivers, i.e. he maketh channels in the rocks, to derive the water into them, that may serve afterwards for rivers or brooks, or other uses.] and his eye seeth all the preciousness [as gold, silver and precious stones, which lying hid in the Earth, come to be discovered to men by hewing and digging.]

11. He hindeth up the Rivers, [which are hid under ground] that not a tear cometh forth. [Heb. From weeping or shedding tears, i.e. that no water at all can break forth, or issue thence into the mines. Understand that men do dam up and dry up the rivers, whereby the precious things which lay hid in them, are discovered.] and that which was hidden, he bringeth forth into the light.

12. But wisdom, from whence shall she be found? And where is the place of understanding? [as if he said, man is able indeed by his labour and industry, to find out many precious things which lie hidden in the Earth; but he is not able to attain to the secret wisdom, whereby the causes of Gods judgements may be fully dived into and comprehended.]

13. Man knows not her worth; and he is not to be found in the land of the living, [i.e. among man, that live here upon the earth. Compare Psalms 27:13 and 142.6. Isaiah 38:11 and 53.8.]

14. The abyss [Understand the depths of the waters that are under the earth, yea in the very nethermost part of it. See Gen.1.on v.2.] saith; she is not in me; and the sea, [understand that part of the Sea, which floateth uppermost upon the Earth. Compare Gen.1.on v.10.] saith; she is not with me.

15. The enclosed gold [or gold lock up. See 1 Kings 6.on v.20.] can not be given for her; and her price can not be weighed up with silver.

16. She can not he estimated against fine gold of Ophir, [See 1 Kings 9.on v.28.] against the precious Shoham [See Gen.2.on v.12. Many hold this to be the onix or sardonix-stone, whose colour is a mixed one of white and red, like the nails on a mans hand.] or the saphyr [a precious stone of a sky colour, glimmering with golden dipples.]

17. One cannot value the gold or the Christal alike with her [Oth. Instead of Christal, have most bright pearl, or the diamond] also she is (not) to be exchanged for a jewel [Heb. Vessels. See Gen.24.53. Num.31.50. 1 Sam.6.8. 2 Kings 20:13. Est.1.7.] Of massy gold [See 1 Kings 10.on v.18.]

18. The Ramoth [some understand by this word the Coral-stone. Others, a precious stone called Sandastros, or Garamantites] and Gabish, [the name, (as some conceive) of a pearl, growing in the seal of a fish, called by the Latines Unio, because there grow not two together undistinguished. Others do understand hereby a certain precious stones.] shall not be mentioned; [viz. When mention is made of the worth of wisdom;] for the attraction of wisdom is more, then (that) of the Rubies. [The word doth signify a precious stone, that was red of colour, by what is said thereof, Lamen.4.7.]

19. One cannot value the Topaz of Ethiopia [a precious stone of a green colour; of which See Exod.28.17. and 39.10.] like unto her; and she cannot be estimated by the fine pure gold.

20. That wisdom then, whence doth she come? And where is the place of the understanding?

21. For she is concealed before the eyes of all living: and she is hid before the birds of the air. [He nameth the Birds, by reason of their flying high, and seeing far, and yet are not able to approach to the place, where the wisdom is hid; for perfect wisdom is no where to be found but in God, who imparteth so much of it unto reasonable creatures, as it pleaseth him.]

22. Destruction and Death say, [He divideth all places into three; the middlemost, where living men are; the highest, where the birds fly, and the nethermost, where the dead are, and all that is perished. Compare with this above 26, the annotation on verse 6.] We have heard the fame of her with our ears. [the same namely of the hidden wisdom. The meaning is, that they have no knowledge of the same, but onely a rumour and fame that there is such. Compare above v.14.]

23. God [i.e. none else but God] understandeth her way; [i.e. the manner and means of finding out wisdom, how she is qualified, what operations she hath and what government and ends in the same.] and he knoweth her place. [viz. Where she is to be found and had, i.e. in himself, Matth.11.27.]

24. For he looketh to the ends of the earth, he seeth under all the heavens. [The meaning is, that Gods wisdom in infinite, and unlimited, 1 Cor.2.10. Heb.4.13.]

25. When he made [He will say, that the wisdom which lieth hid in God, hath revealed in some measure by the creation of the world.] the weight to the wind, and pondered the waters in measure. [the meaning is, that God, according to his wisdom, hath not only given a being to all the creatures, but likewise set them their exact order, weight and measure, and infused the same into their qualities and manner of operation.]

26. When he made a set order for their rain; [viz. How, when, where, whereto he should let fall the rain, thunder, lightening, &c.] and a way for the lightening [Compare below 38. 25.] of the thunders; [Heb. Of the voices, So Exod.9.21. 1 Sam.7.10. Bel.37.4,5. Psalm.29.3.]

27. Then he saw [Compare Gen.1.31.] her, [viz. The wisdom, whereof is spoken here.] and related her: [i.e. revealed her, and ministered matter to men, to speak of and publish her.] he disposed her, [i.e. he ordained her to that end for which he had revealed her.] and also searched her [i.e. he shewed that he had communicated her to man by most perfect investigation, and ripest consideration, to the end, that they should enquire after her with reverence, and entertain her with humility.]

28. But unto man he hath said, Behold the fear of the LORD is wisdom, and to retire from evil is understanding. [as if he should say; The hidden wisdom whereby I do govern the world, and the men therein, is only for my self; but the wisdom which I have kept for menis that they do fear me, according to the prescript of my revealed will and pleasure. See Deut.29.on v.29.]