Job 28 3

Job 28:3 kjv

He setteth an end to darkness, and searcheth out all perfection: the stones of darkness, and the shadow of death.

Job 28:3 nkjv

Man puts an end to darkness, And searches every recess For ore in the darkness and the shadow of death.

Job 28:3 niv

Mortals put an end to the darkness; they search out the farthest recesses for ore in the blackest darkness.

Job 28:3 esv

Man puts an end to darkness and searches out to the farthest limit the ore in gloom and deep darkness.

Job 28:3 nlt

They know how to shine light in the darkness
and explore the farthest regions of the earth
as they search in the dark for ore.

Job 28 verses

Job 28 3 Meaning

Job 28:3 describes humanity's extraordinary ingenuity and perseverance in confronting and conquering natural challenges to extract hidden treasures from the earth. It portrays how people delve into the deepest, darkest, and most dangerous recesses of the ground, illuminating the gloom and relentlessly searching out every possible deposit of valuable ore and minerals, pushing the boundaries of discovery and physical endurance. This verse highlights mankind's remarkable capabilities in mastering the physical world.

Job 28 3 Context

Job 28 is a poetic interlude within the dialogues, offering a profound discourse on the nature and location of true wisdom. Chapters 26 and 27 showcase Job's defense against his friends and his affirmation of God's majesty and power. Chapter 28 then shifts focus from human suffering and argument to a magnificent meditation on divine wisdom. Verses 1-11 intricately detail humanity's extraordinary capability in exploring the physical world—how people tirelessly mine for precious metals and stones in the earth's darkest and most challenging depths, demonstrating remarkable ingenuity and determination. Verse 3 is an integral part of this detailed description of human skill in literally "moving mountains" and reaching the unreachable to obtain material wealth. However, the rest of the chapter (vv. 12-28) makes a crucial distinction: while man can find all sorts of physical treasures, wisdom and understanding cannot be found in the earth, nor bought with silver or gold; true wisdom belongs to God alone and is revealed through reverencing Him.

Job 28 3 Word analysis

• Man (אָדָם, ’ādām): Refers to humanity in general, emphasizing the collective efforts and capabilities of humankind, not just an individual. It highlights the universal human drive for discovery and mastery.
• Puts an end to (יָשִׂים קֵץ, yāśîm qēṣ):
  • Puts (יָשִׂים, yāśîm): From the verb שִׂים (sîm), meaning "to put, place, set, ordain." Conveys the deliberate and active nature of human effort.
  • An end / A limit (קֵץ, qēṣ): Signifies a boundary, culmination, or conclusion. In this context, it implies conquering or subjugating the natural state of darkness, pushing through or eliminating the natural barrier it presents. Humanity sets limits on what nature can conceal.
• Darkness (חֹשֶׁךְ, ḥōšek): Literal, absolute physical darkness, specifically that found deep underground in mines. Metaphorically, it can also suggest the unknown or hidden, which humanity seeks to penetrate and illuminate.
• Searches out (וְחָקַר, wəḥāqar): From חָקַר (ḥāqar), meaning "to search, examine, investigate thoroughly, probe." This verb implies a diligent, persistent, and methodical inquiry, going beyond superficial observation to deep exploration.
• To the farthest limit (עַד כָּל־תַּכְלִית, ʿad kol-takhlı̄t):
  • To (עַד, ʿad): Indicating a boundary or extent.
  • All / Every (כָּל־, kol): Emphasizes comprehensive reach.
  • Limit / Utmost extent (תַּכְלִית, takhlı̄t): Derived from כָּלָה (kālāh), meaning "to complete, finish." Denotes the absolute end, the ultimate possible boundary. It highlights human persistence in exhausting all possibilities.
• The ore (אֶבֶן, ’eḇen): Literally "stone," but in the context of mining, refers to minerals, metal-bearing rock, or precious stones. It represents the valuable yield extracted from the earth.
• In gloom and deep shadow (אֹפֶל וְצַלְמָוֶת, ’ōp̄el wəṣalmāweṯ):
  • Gloom (אֹפֶל, ’ōp̄el): Intense, thick, oppressive darkness, implying a lack of any light source.
  • Deep shadow / Shadow of death (צַלְמָוֶת, ṣalmāweṯ): A highly evocative poetic term, meaning extreme darkness, literally "shadow of death." It emphasizes the deadly, perilous, and almost hellish conditions of the deepest mines, reflecting mortal danger and a place beyond ordinary human experience, yet humanity ventures there.

Job 28 3 Bonus section

• The meticulous description of mining in Job 28 (including ventilation shafts and draining of water in earlier verses) suggests a detailed, almost eye-witness, understanding of ancient mining practices, implying sophisticated technology for its time.
• The progression from "darkness" (חֹשֶׁךְ) to "gloom" (אֹפֶל) to "deep shadow/shadow of death" (צַלְמָוֶת) illustrates an increasing intensity of obscurity and danger that humanity willingly confronts. This poetic intensification underscores the remarkable scale of human courage and ambition.
• This verse can be seen as an early biblical acknowledgement of humanity's role as steward, not just passively using resources, but actively seeking them out with intellectual and physical might, aligning with the "dominion" mandate given in Genesis. Yet, it critically frames this power as limited regarding spiritual truths.

Job 28 3 Commentary

Job 28:3 is a powerful testament to human ingenuity and relentless determination in mastering the physical world. It depicts mining not just as a manual labor but as an epic struggle against nature's deepest, darkest, and most perilous domains. Man actively confronts the unknown, using light to banish darkness and sophisticated methods to "search out" hidden resources to their absolute limits. The language used, particularly "deep shadow" (shadow of death), emphasizes the profound risks and formidable obstacles overcome by human endeavor. However, the chapter's overarching message is one of profound contrast: while humanity can discover and conquer earthly treasures, this same human wisdom and power are utterly incapable of finding or acquiring true wisdom. This wisdom is depicted as infinitely more profound, belonging only to God, hidden from the eyes of all living creatures, and revealed only to those who fear the Lord. Thus, the verse, though celebrating human achievement, serves to underscore humanity's limitations in the search for ultimate truth and wisdom, setting the stage for the declaration of God's unique possession of true wisdom later in the chapter.