Job 28:3

Job 28:3 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)He setteth an end to darkness, and searcheth out all perfection: the stones of darkness, and the shadow of death.
• New International Version (NIV)Mortals put an end to the darkness; they search out the farthest recesses for ore in the blackest darkness.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Man puts an end to darkness and searches out to the farthest limit the ore in gloom and deep darkness.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Man puts an end to darkness, And searches every recess For ore in the darkness and the shadow of death.

Context of Job 28:3

1Surely there is a vein for the silver, and a place for gold which they refine; 2Iron is taken out of the dust, and copper is molten out of the stone. [Man] putteth an end to the darkness, and exploreth to the utmost limit, the stones of darkness and of the shadow of death. 4He openeth a shaft far from the inhabitants [of the earth]: forgotten of the foot, they hang suspended; away below men they hover. 5As for the earth, out of it cometh bread, and underneath it is turned up as by fire;

Job 28:3 word by word

קֵ֤ץ׀ שָׂ֤ם לַחֹ֗שֶׁךְ וּֽלְכָל־תַּ֭כְלִית ה֣וּא חוֹקֵ֑ר אֶ֖בֶן אֹ֣פֶל וְצַלְמָֽוֶת׃Read the interlinear

• endקֵץqêts · endH7093
• darknessחֹ֫שֶׁךְchôshek · darknessH2822
• stonesאֶ֫בֶן'eben · stoneH68

Cross-references for Job 28:3

• Proverbs 2:4if thou seekest her as silver and searchest for her as for hidden treasures:
• Ecclesiastes 1:13And I applied my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under the heavens: this grievous occupation hath God given to the children of men to weary themselves therewith.
• Habakkuk 2:13Behold, is it not of Jehovah of hosts that the peoples labour for the fire, and the nations weary themselves in vain?
• Matthew 6:33But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.
• Luke 16:8And the lord praised the unrighteous steward because he had done prudently. For the sons of this world are, for their own generation, more prudent than the sons of light.
• Job 10:21Before I go, and never to return, — to the land of darkness and the shadow of death;
• Job 12:22He discovereth deep things out of darkness, and bringeth out into light the shadow of death;
• Job 38:16Hast thou entered as far as the springs of the sea? and hast thou walked in the recesses of the deep?

Commentaries on Job 28:3

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 3He setteth an end to darkness - As it is likely Job still refers to mining, the words above may be understood as pointing out the persevering industry of man in penetrating into the bowels of the earth, in order to seek for metals and precious stones. Even the stones that lay hidden in the bowels of the earth he has digged for and brought to light, and has penetrated in directions in which the solar light could not be transmitted; so that he appears to…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 3He 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…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1-28This section is an isolated speech. There is no speaker listed, so it might continue from earlier words. Some see it as a creative summary by the author of Job. It emphasizes the limits of human wisdom and sets the stage for the Lord's speeches.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 33. "Man makes an end of darkness," by exploring the darkest depths (with torches). all perfection--rather, carries out his search to the utmost perfection; most thoroughly searches the stones of darkness and of the shadow of death (thickest gloom); that is, the stones, whatever they be, embedded in the darkest bowels of the earth [Umbreit] (Job 26:10).Read the comment

Topics related to Job 28:3

• Readings, Select

In the dictionaries

• Shadow of Death
• Bind
• Decree
• Equal
• Fain
• Fine
• Mine
• Wisdom
• Baruch, Book of
• Ethics

Commentaries on Job 28

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings