Job 28

1. Surely, etc. Rather, “For there is” (R.V., marg.). The connexion with the preceding chapter is difficult; the general truth, however, inculcated being plain—that man, with all the wonders of his research and skill, cannot comprehend the secrets of the Divine government. Practical, not speculative wisdom is his highest possible attainment.

a vein. Rather, “a mine” (R.V.). fine. “Refine.”

2 brass is molten out of the stone. Rather, “they melt stone into copper”; i.e., from the heated ore melted copper runs forth. In this graphic description of ancient mining, there may have been a reference to the mines in Idumsea, in the Sinaitic peninsula, and in Egypt, which appear from existing monuments to have been worked as early as the time of Joseph. From Gen. iv. 22 we learn that even iron, the most difficult to work of all these metals, had been in use before the Deluge.

3. He setteth an end to darkness. Man penetrates into the darkest mines.

And searcheth out all perfection, etc. Rather, “and searcheth to the farthest limit stones (ores)

of darkness and the deathshade”; piercing to the darkest recesses of the earth.

4. The flood breaketh out, etc. “He diggeth a channel [or, shaft] away from [the place] where men sojourn: forsaken of the foot (that passeth by, R.V.) they are suspended; they are far from men.” A forcible description of the perilous and gloomy life of the miner.

5. And under, etc. i.e., not only is the surface tilled, but the earth underneath is upturned and shattered as if by fire.

7. There is a path which no fowl knoweth. Rather, “the way (i.e., to these subterranean regions) no rapacious bird knoweth,” etc. To obtain these hidden treasures, men penetrate into places which the acute vision of birds of prey has never seen, and which the feet of wild beasts have never trodden (ver. 8).

9 the rock. Or, “flint”; perhaps quartz, in which gold is commonly found.

10. He cutteth out rivers. Channels to take off the water.

11. He bindeth the floods from overflowing. He keeps the water from oozing into the mine.

12 where shall wisdom be found? The earth’s riches, and man’s labour and skill, great as they are, cannot produce true wisdom, which must be sought from God’s teaching.

15 weighed. i.e., “paid.” Before coinage, payments were made by weight: cp. Gen. xxiii. 16.

17 crystal. This probably means glass, of which the ancients had some very costly kinds. Glass-blowing is distinctly represented in the paintings of Beni-Hassan, which are supposed to have been executed about the time of Joseph.

18 pearls. Rather, “crystal,” R.V.: a different word from that in ver. 17.

22. Destruction. “Abaddon”: see xxvi. 6, note. Earth, air, and the realms of the dead are alike without a knowledge of the great mystery. Only a “rumour” of its meaning has gone forth.

23. God understandeth. Therefore only He can reveal it.

25. He weigheth the waters by measure. He has adjusted even the most unstable things with admirable skill.

27 prepared. Or, “established it and searched it out,” so as to make it thoroughly clear to man, who otherwise would never have known it.

28. And unto man He said, etc. This is the great result of the whole.