Chapter 28

1 There is a knowledge of natural things. 12 But wisdom is an excellent gift of God.

1. Vein for the silver. This chapter is one of the oldest and finest pieces of natural history in the world. It is also one of the great poems of all literature. This chapter is not an argument but a meditation. Its design seems to be to show that man must accept divine providence even though he may not understand it. Job shows that man has made surprising discoveries regarding nature, yet true wisdom is found only in the fear of the Lord.

The mining of silver and gold is mentioned as an example of the skill of man. Elsewhere mining is mentioned in the OT only in Deut. 8:9, where Canaan is described as a land of iron and copper. Diodorus describes ancient mining operations thus: The shafts follow veins of quartz deep into the mountain. Fire was used to make the stone brittle, then it was hoed out by men who carried lamps. The quartz was crushed, pounded into dust, and washed until the gold remained (see Erman, Life in Ancient Egypt, p. 463 ff.). The book of Job reveals that, even in his far-off days, such arts were known (see Gen. 2:11, 12; 4:22).

2. Iron. Iron is mentioned here as an illustration of the skill and accomplishments of man (see on Gen. 4:22; cf. Num. 35:16; Deut. 27:5).

Brass. By “brass” is meant copper or bronze (see Gen. 4:22; Ex. 25:3; 26:11). The mention of “stone,” from which it is molten, shows that the metal was extracted from ore. This is proof that copper is intended. Brass is properly an alloy of copper and zinc and must be compounded. The alloy came into general use centuries later. Bronze, an alloy of copper and tin, is much older. Whenever “brass” is mentioned in the OT either copper or bronze is meant.

3. An end to darkness. The reference still seems to be to the operations of mining, and the idea is that men delve into the darkest regions. They bring light—either artificial or the light of day—into regions that never before saw light.

Shadow of death. See on ch. 3:5.

4. The flood breaketh out. The meaning of this verse is not clear. Job still seems to be referring to mining operations. The obscurity may arise from an allusion to practices then understood but now unknown. The description may be of the process of sinking a shaft into a mine. The word rendered “flood” is also used to refer to a stream, brook, or wadi.

5. Cometh bread. From the art of mining, Job turns to the art of agriculture. The same earth that produces gold and silver and iron and copper also brings forth bread.

As it were fire. This phrase is very obscure. Some have conjectured that the reference is to some combustible substance similar to coal, which was dug out of the earth in some places in Arabia. If this is true, the thought would be that the same earth that produces bread, when turned over, produces fuel for fire. Others think Job is referring to the precious stones mentioned in the following verses, which might be said to glow like coals of fire.

6. Sapphires. This mineral was a semiprecious stone, probably what is known today as lapis lazuli (see Ex. 28:18).

7. No fowl knoweth. The one who searches for jewels and precious metals treads a path that is unseen by even a bird of keen vision.

8. The fierce lion. The lion that ventures into the most dangerous places in the pursuit of prey has not dared to go where man has gone in pursuit of precious stones and gold.

9. Overturneth. Mining is still under discussion. The idea is that nothing, however difficult, not even cutting down the hardest rock, deters the miner from pursuing his work.

10. Cutteth. In mining, man cuts channels for the purpose of removing water that accumulates in mines.

Precious thing. His eye is keen to observe all evidence of mineral wealth.

11. Bindeth. This may refer to creating dams, dikes, and other forms of embankment to control water in the processes of mining.

The thing. The concealed treasures, the gold and gems that are buried deep in the earth. The illustration was admirably chosen. Job’s object was to show that true wisdom was not to be found by human science or by mere investigation. He selects a case, therefore, where man had shown the most skill and wisdom and where he had penetrated the farthest into darkness. He had driven his shaft through rocks, closed up gushing fountains, and laid bare the treasures that had been buried for generations. Yet all this did not enable him to understand the operations of God’s government.

12. Wisdom. Job now turns to the application of his illustration. His object is to show that wisdom is not to be found in the most profound science or in the greatest accomplishments of men.

13. Price. Heb. Фerek, properly “a valuation.” The LXX reads hodos, “way,” which is a translation of the Heb. derek. Either rendering makes sense.

Land. Man must look to a higher source for wisdom. True wisdom comes by divine revelation.

14. Depth. Heb. tehom, “deep,” “sea,” “abyss” (see on Gen. 1:2); sometimes used of subterranean waters (Gen. 7:11; Deut. 8:7). The idea is that the vast depths may be investigated, but true wisdom will not be found there.

15. Gold. Gold is mentioned five times in vs. 15–19. Four different Hebrew words are used, to heighten the force of the figure, indicating that there is no gold of any kind that can purchase wisdom.

16. Gold of Ophir. The word used for “gold” here is different from the word used for gold in the previous verse. Gold from Ophir was held in high estimation. On the location of Ophir see on 1 Kings 9:28.

Onyx … sapphire. Semiprecious gems, probably not the stones that bear these names today.

17. Gold. See on v. 15.

Crystal. The Hebrew word thus translated occurs nowhere else in the Bible. It is thought to mean “glass,” and here may refer to some form of rock crystal.

18. Coral. Heb. RaХmoth. The particular gem or precious substance here referred to is uncertain. The application of the word to coral is a rabbinical interpretation.

Pearls. This word very likely means “crystal.”

Rubies. The exact identification of the gem is not known (see Prov. 3:15; 8:11; 20:15; 31:10; Lam. 4:7).

20. Whence? In view of the fact that wisdom cannot be mined or cannot be bought, where can it be found? This question, raised in v. 12, is repeated for emphasis. This is the basic question to which consideration is given in the chapter.

21. It is hid. The inhabitants of neither the earth nor the air know the answer to the question. The term “all living” may, by figure, refer to the animal kingdom, thus making a balance in the text between beasts and fowl.

22. Destruction. Heb. Хabaddon (see on ch. 26:6). Job has spoken of the discoveries of science, but in none of them was true wisdom found. It has not been discovered in the shaft that the miner sank into the earth. It cannot be purchased with silver or gold or precious stones. Neither the birds nor the beasts know it. Now the search is taken to the confines of Destruction and Death. By personification these are represented as bringing back a vague and unsatisfying answer, “We have heard a rumor of it with our ears.”

23. God understandeth. Man has extended the investigations of science greatly beyond the limits of knowledge reached in Job’s day. He has delved into the secrets of the atom. Nevertheless Job’s statement is as true today as when it was uttered. True wisdom comes only by divine revelation.

24. He looketh. A picture of God’s omnipresence and omniscience. God’s vision is not limited or distorted. He sees that which man cannot see.

25. Wind … waters. These, among the most uncontrollable of earth’s elements, are under the control of God. The one who weighs the winds and measures the waters is a reliable source of wisdom for mankind.

26. Decree for the rain. He who controls these elements is qualified to reveal truth to men, and can reveal the principles upon which His government is administered.

27. See it. This verse contains an impressive array of verbs that reveal God’s relation to wisdom. He understands it and reveals it. Wisdom has no other source (see Prov. 8:22–30). Wisdom is not the result of chance. It is summed up in God, since He is the First Cause.

28. Behold. Job now points his listeners to the conclusion toward which the entire chapter has been progressing. What is wisdom? The answer is given—“The fear of the Lord.” Proper recognition of God and submission to Him is the important factor. Humility, reverence, respect, adoration, faith—these are aspects of the wisdom that supersedes earthly knowledge. What is understanding? The answer is equally clear—“To depart from evil.” Understanding is more than intellectual—it is ethical. It demands a standard of living. Reverence and rectitude—these are the two great requirements of God. Micah (ch. 6:8) speaks of these two character traits as justice and mercy toward man and humility before God. Compare Matt. 22:36–40.

Ellen G. White comments

10  PK 265

12–28MH 430; 8T 280

14–18COL 107

15, 16  5T 544

15–18Ed 18

16   CT 132

28   DA 89; PP 222