Job 28 5

Job 28:5 kjv

As for the earth, out of it cometh bread: and under it is turned up as it were fire.

Job 28:5 nkjv

As for the earth, from it comes bread, But underneath it is turned up as by fire;

Job 28:5 niv

The earth, from which food comes, is transformed below as by fire;

Job 28:5 esv

As for the earth, out of it comes bread, but underneath it is turned up as by fire.

Job 28:5 nlt

Food is grown on the earth above,
but down below, the earth is melted as by fire.

Job 28 verses

Job 28 5 Meaning

The verse describes two aspects of humanity's interaction with the earth. First, from the surface of the earth, humanity easily extracts "bread," signifying the basic sustenance necessary for life, typically through agriculture. Second, it highlights that beneath the surface, when excavated by human effort, the earth is "turned up as it were fire," indicating the arduous, dangerous, and transformative process of mining. This "fire" refers to the brilliant, often shimmering nature of minerals and precious stones uncovered from the earth's depths, or possibly the intense conditions and effort involved in their extraction, and perhaps even subterranean forces. The verse serves as a preamble to the broader theme of Job 28, contrasting humanity's immense ingenuity and tireless efforts in unearthing physical treasures with the profound difficulty in discovering true divine wisdom.

Job 28 5 Context

Job chapter 28 stands as a remarkable poetic interlude within the book of Job, often described as a "Hymn to Wisdom" or a "Wisdom Poem." It deviates from the ongoing dialogue between Job and his friends, offering a universal reflection on the arduous efforts humanity undertakes to extract the earth's physical treasures. This chapter sets the stage for the dramatic appearance of God in chapter 38, highlighting that despite humanity's unparalleled skill and determination in conquering the natural world and unveiling its deepest secrets (as seen in advanced mining practices), true wisdom remains elusive and beyond human grasp or purchase.

Verse 5 specifically bridges humanity's everyday experience with the earth (cultivating "bread") and its most extreme endeavors (deep mining for glittering ores, referred to as "fire"). The historical and cultural context reflects ancient Near Eastern knowledge of metallurgy and mining. Civilizations like Egypt, Mesopotamia, and later, the Hittites and Israelites, understood the difficult and often dangerous processes of extracting minerals. This verse celebrates human ingenuity and labor but also subtly points towards the limitation of this power in achieving ultimate understanding. There's an indirect polemic against solely valuing material wealth or seeking answers only within the visible, physical realm, anticipating the chapter's conclusion that divine wisdom is not found through human endeavor alone.

Job 28 5 Word analysis

• As for the earth (הָאָרֶץ, ha'aretz):

  • This refers to the ground, land, or physical world.
  • Signifies the source of human existence and the domain of human activity and exploration.
  • It immediately draws attention to the material realm with which humans interact directly.

• out of it (מִמֶּנָּה, mimmennah):

  • Emphasizes the direct extraction or yielding from the surface of the earth.
  • Indicates a readily accessible and visible relationship.

• cometh bread (לֶחֶם יֵצֵא, lechem yetze):

  • bread (לֶחֶם, lechem): Not just baked bread, but a metonym for grain, staple food, or general sustenance. Represents the fundamental provision for human life obtained through agriculture.
  • cometh (יֵצֵא, yetze): Literally "goes forth" or "comes out." Suggests the natural, cyclical process of vegetation growing from the earth for human consumption. This is the common, familiar interaction with the earth.
  • Signifies humanity's most basic and vital need, met by the surface productivity of the land.

• and under it (וְתַחְתֶּיהָ, v'tachteyha):

  • "And below it" or "underneath it."
  • Creates a stark contrast with "out of it," shifting focus from the surface to the subterranean depths.
  • Implies the hidden, challenging, and often dangerous realm.

• is turned up (נֶהְפַּךְ, nehpach):

  • From the root hāpak, meaning "to turn," "overturn," "overthrow," "change," or "transform." In this context, it describes the violent, forceful action of excavating, digging up, or bringing to light.
  • Conveys the intensity and destructive nature of deep mining activities where the very structure of the earth is violently altered.

• as it were fire (כְּמוֹ אֵשׁ, kemo esh):

  • as it were (כְּמוֹ, kemo): A particle indicating comparison, "like" or "as." It signals a figurative or illustrative description rather than a literal one.
  • fire (אֵשׁ, esh):
    • Literal interpretations: The sparkle and brilliance of raw gems or metallic ores (e.g., glittering quartz, gold flecks, rubies which appear fiery); the presence of inflammable gases, particularly in mines where methane could be a danger; the heat encountered deep underground; or possibly references to volcanic or molten activity that forms these minerals.
    • Figurative interpretations:
      • Intensity of Labor: The intense heat, danger, and transformative effort involved in mining, akin to the heat of a furnace.
      • Brilliance of Discoveries: The striking, luminous beauty of precious metals and stones extracted from darkness, appearing as if lit from within.
      • Destructive Aspect: The profound alteration of the earth's natural state, "as if" ravaged by fire.
      • The phrase captures both the astonishing value of the minerals sought and the perilous conditions under which they are found.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "As for the earth, out of it cometh bread": This phrase portrays the accessible, benevolent aspect of the earth, providing sustenance through straightforward agricultural practices. It represents humanity's daily need and the earth's generous provision from its visible surface. It is a natural, predictable process.

  • "and under it is turned up as it were fire": This sharply contrasts with the previous phrase. It delves into the extraordinary, dangerous, and transformative efforts required to extract hidden, precious substances from the earth's deep recesses. The imagery of "fire" signifies both the intense difficulty and perilous nature of this mining and the sparkling, fiery beauty or raw, molten state of the materials unearthed (gold, gems, ores). This describes a human endeavor that pushes the boundaries of ingenuity and risk for hidden wealth, going beyond basic needs.

Job 28 5 Bonus section

• The stark juxtaposition within the verse itself serves as a micro-summary of Job 28: Humanity is remarkably skilled at exploiting the earth for both daily necessities ("bread") and extravagant riches ("fire"). This immense capability highlights humanity's reach, yet the rest of the chapter will humble this pride by asserting that wisdom is beyond such earthly capture.
• This verse can be seen as foreshadowing the deeper theological meaning that while humanity can master the physical earth, the true mysteries of life, suffering, and wisdom remain the exclusive domain of the Divine. Man's diligence in unearthing treasures stands in stark contrast to his inability to independently find answers to life's profoundest questions.
• The description of deep earth phenomena as "fire" touches upon ancient understanding (and perhaps even the experience) of underground geological activity, whether geothermal heat or gases, reinforcing the dangerous and awe-inspiring nature of these depths.

Job 28 5 Commentary

Job 28:5 encapsulates the profound contrast between human interaction with the superficial abundance of the earth and the deep, challenging work of uncovering its hidden riches. On one hand, the earth readily yields "bread" from its surface, representing the fundamental sustenance gained through simple agricultural efforts—a familiar and life-sustaining gift. This portrays the benevolent aspect of the land meeting humanity's most basic need.

On the other hand, the verse describes humanity's tireless and daring pursuit of wealth concealed beneath the earth's crust. "Under it is turned up as it were fire" paints a vivid picture of the mining process. This is not casual digging; it signifies the immense labor, risk, and technological prowess involved in penetrating deep into the earth. The "fire" metaphor is rich: it can literally point to glittering ores and precious gems that shimmer brilliantly like flames, or to flammable gases and the deep heat encountered underground. More symbolically, it captures the intense effort, peril, and transformative power (akin to a refiner's fire) that characterize deep mining. Humanity goes to extraordinary lengths, literally turning the earth inside out in a violent process, to extract valuable substances. This intense pursuit of hidden material treasures sets the stage for the chapter's main point: while humans are remarkably skilled at finding the earth's buried gold and gems, true wisdom is an even more elusive and incomparably valuable treasure that cannot be found by similar earthly endeavors.