Job 28 2

Job 28:2 kjv

Iron is taken out of the earth, and brass is molten out of the stone.

Job 28:2 nkjv

Iron is taken from the earth, And copper is smelted from ore.

Job 28:2 niv

Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore.

Job 28:2 esv

Iron is taken out of the earth, and copper is smelted from the ore.

Job 28:2 nlt

They know where to dig iron from the earth
and how to smelt copper from rock.

Job 28 verses

Job 28 2 Meaning

Job 28:2 highlights humanity's skill, ingenuity, and arduous effort in extracting valuable metals from the earth. It details two primary metallurgical processes of the ancient world: mining solid iron from deep within the ground and smelting copper from raw stone through intense heat. This verse, situated within the profound wisdom poem of Job 28, serves as an opening illustration of the incredible lengths and depths to which humans go to uncover earthly treasures, setting up a sharp contrast with the elusiveness of divine wisdom.

Job 28 2 Context

Job 28:2 is part of a magnificent poetic interlude in the Book of Job, spanning the entirety of chapter 28. This chapter departs from the ongoing dialogue between Job and his friends, taking on a philosophical tone about the nature and source of wisdom. Verses 1-11 describe the impressive and dangerous feats of human miners who delve deep into the earth to extract precious metals and stones. This sets up a vivid contrast: humanity's remarkable ability to discover and process hidden earthly treasures (even with great risk and effort) pales in comparison to their utter inability to locate or purchase true wisdom. The historical and cultural context is the Ancient Near East, where mining and metallurgy were advanced and hazardous endeavors, involving tunnels, shafts, and the complex processes of ore extraction and smelting. Copper, preceding iron in widespread ancient use, was crucial for tools and implements, while iron's discovery marked a significant technological leap. The poem acknowledges and respects this profound human ingenuity, only to show its limitation when faced with divine wisdom.

Job 28 2 Word Analysis

• Iron (בַּרְזֶל - barzel): Refers to a strong, durable metal used for tools, weapons, and construction. Its extraction, especially in antiquity, involved locating ore deposits, often deep underground, and then forging it. The word barzel itself evokes solidity and utility. Its mention first highlights the demanding nature of its procurement.
• is taken out (יֻקַּח - yuqqach): From the root laqah (to take, to fetch). The passive voice emphasizes that the iron is acted upon, requiring human effort and extraction from its natural state. This is a deliberate, active process of removal from its hidden place.
• of the earth (מֵעָפָר - me'aphar): From aphar, meaning "dust," "dry earth," or "soil." This specifies the raw, base material from which iron is derived. It contrasts the refined metal with its humble, pervasive origin, emphasizing that great value can be found even in the most common substances if sought diligently. It suggests digging and excavation.
• and copper (וּנְחוּשָׁה - u-n'chushah): N'chushah refers to copper or bronze (an alloy of copper, often with tin). It was among the earliest metals worked by humanity, vital for tools, armor, and implements before iron became widespread. Its distinction from iron underscores different mineral properties and extraction methods.
• is melted (יָצוּק - yatsûq): A participle from yatsaq, meaning "to pour," "to cast," "to melt." This describes the process of smelting, where copper ore (a "stone") is subjected to intense heat to extract the pure metal. It implies fire, skilled craftsmanship, and transformation from an unusable raw state to a valuable product. This verb underscores a more refined, industrial process than simply "taking out."
• from stone (מֵאֶבֶן - me'even): From 'even, meaning "stone" or "rock." This indicates the ore from which copper is extracted. Unlike iron, which is taken directly from "earth," copper is refined from its mineral-bearing rocks, implying crushing, heating, and separation. The distinction between "earth" and "stone" subtly hints at the different forms and processes of ancient metallurgy.
• "Iron is taken out of the earth": This phrase describes direct extraction, likely through mining and excavation, reflecting the raw, arduous effort required. It evokes an image of digging deep shafts and tunnels into the ground.
• "and copper is melted from stone": This phrase refers to the smelting process, highlighting a different technological leap—the use of intense heat to refine raw ore. This speaks to a sophisticated understanding of metallurgy, transforming mere rocks into valuable metals.
• These two phrases collectively: Underscore humanity's immense capacity for industrial enterprise and physical labor, showcasing two distinct, yet equally challenging, methods of acquiring essential metals. They illustrate humanity's persistence and skill in revealing and harnessing the earth's hidden material treasures, a setup for the later declaration of wisdom's untouchable, non-earthly source.

Job 28 2 Bonus section

The sophisticated mining operations described in Job 28, beginning with verse 2, reflect an astonishingly detailed knowledge of ancient metallurgy and subterranean exploration. Archaeological findings in regions like the Timna Valley (ancient copper mines) and sites with early iron smelting corroborate the advanced nature of these processes as depicted in Job. The chapter portrays a deep appreciation for human ingenuity, suggesting that nothing in the material world is beyond human discovery and exploitation. However, this profound acknowledgement of human achievement serves to heighten the central argument of the chapter: despite this unparalleled skill in finding all forms of earthly wealth, humanity remains utterly incapable of finding or purchasing true wisdom, which resides only with God. This intellectual climax positions God as the sole proprietor of ultimate knowledge, beyond human reach or understanding through empirical means.

Job 28 2 Commentary

Job 28:2 offers a concise yet powerful testament to humanity's resourcefulness and tenacity. Within the broader poem of Job 28, it introduces a list of extraordinary human achievements in material acquisition. It showcases not only the ability to identify valuable hidden substances but also the advanced technological processes (mining, smelting) required to render them useful. The imagery of pulling iron from "dust" and melting copper from "stone" contrasts the raw, often unassuming, origins of these vital metals with their refined strength and utility. The verse emphasizes the immense effort, skill, and daring involved in penetrating the earth's depths, serving as a powerful prelude to the chapter's ultimate revelation: if such effort yields earthly treasures, how much more inaccessible, then, must true wisdom be, which cannot be found by these human endeavors?