Job 28

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 28:2

Iron - As has been remarked above, iron was early known, yet probably its common use indicates a more advanced state of civilization than that of gold and silver. The Mexicans were ignorant of the use of iron, though ornaments of gold and silver elegantly worked abounded among them. Iron is less easily discovered than copper, though more abundant, and is worked with more difficulty. Among the ancient nations, copper was in general use long before iron; and arms, vases, statues, and implements... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 28:3

He setteth an end to darkness - That is, man does. The reference here is undoubtedly to the operations of mining, and the idea is, that man delves into the darkest regions; he goes even to the outer limits of darkness; he penetrates everywhere. Probably the allusion is derived from the custom of carrying torches into mines.And searcheth out all perfection - Makes a complete search; examines everything; carries the matter to the utmost. The idea is not that he searches out all perfection - as... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 28:4

The flood breaketh out from the inhabitant - It would be difficult to tell what idea our translators affixed to this sentence, though it seems to be a literal version of the Hebrew. There has been a great variety of rendering given to the passage. Noyes translates it:“From the place where they dwell they open a shaft,Unsupported by the feet,They are suspended, they swing away from men.”Herder:“A flood goeth out from the realm of oblivion,They draw it up from the foot of the mountain,They remove... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 28:5

As for the earth, out of it cometh bread - That is, it produces food, or the materials for bread. The idea of Job seems to be, that it was proof of great wisdom and skill on the part of man that he had carried the arts of agriculture so far. The earth in producing grain, and the arts of husbandry, were illustrative of wisdom and skill, but they did not impart the wisdom about the government of God which was desired. That was reserved to be imparted more directly by God himself, Job 28:23 ff.And... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 28:6

The stones of it are the place - Among the stones of the earth sapphires are found. “The situation of the sapphire is in alluvial soil, in the vicinity of rocks, belonging to the secondary floetz trap formation, and imbedded in gneiss.” Jameson. “The sapphire occurs in considerable abundance in the granitic alluvion of Matura and Saffragam, in Ceylon.” Davy.Sapphires - Compare the note at Isaiah 54:11. The sapphire is a precious stone, usually of a blue color, though it is sometimes yellow,... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 28:7

There is a path which no fowl knoweth - That is, a path in searching for gold and precious stones. The miner treads a way which is unseen by the bird of keenest vision. He penetrates into the deep darkness of the earth. The object of Job is to show the wisdom and the intrepidity of man in penetrating these dark regions in searching for sapphires and gold. The most far-sighted birds could not find their way to them. The most intrepid and fearless beasts of prey dared not adventure to those... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 28:8

The lion’s whelps - The lion that ventures into the most dangerous places in pursuit of prey, has not dared to go where man has gone in pursuit of precious stones and gold. On the words used here to designate the lion, see Bochart Hieroz P. 1. Lib. iii. c. 1. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 28:9

He putteth forth his hand - That is, the miner in securing the precious metals and gems.Upon the rock - Margin, “flint.” The word used here (חלמישׁ challâmı̂ysh) occurs also in Psalms 104:8. Deuteronomy 8:15; Deuteronomy 32:13. It means “flint, silex;” and the idea is, that the miner approaches the hardest substances. He penetrates even the flint in searching for precious stones. Dr. Good renders it, “Sparry ore.” Michaelis renders the same word in Deuteronomy 7:15, porphyry, or red granite.... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 28:10

He cutteth out rivers among the rocks - That is, in his operations of mining, he cuts channels for the water to flow off through the rocks. This was done, as it is now, for the purpose of drawing off the water that accumulates in mines.His eye seeth every precious thing - Every valuable mineral or precious stone that lies imbedded in the rocks. It is evident from this, that mining operations were carried to a considerable extent in the time of Job. The art of thus penetrating the earth, and... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 28:11

He bindeth the floods from overflowing - Margin, Weeping The Hebrew also is “from weeping” מבכי mı̂bekı̂y; referring to the water which trickles down the shaft of the mine. The idea is, that even the large streams which break out in such mines, the fountains and springs which the miner encounters in his operations, he so effectually restrains that they do not even trickle down or “weep” on the sides of the shaft, but it is left perfectly dry. This is necessary in opening mines of coal or... read more

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 28:2

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 28:3

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 28:4

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 28:5

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 28:6

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 28:7

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 28:8

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 28:9

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 28:10

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 28:11

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