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.
• 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.
• New Living Translation (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.

Context of Job 28:3

1"Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place for gold that they refine. 2Iron is taken out of the earth, and copper is smelted from the ore. Man puts an end to darkness and searches out to the farthest limit the ore in gloom and deep darkness. 4He opens shafts in a valley away from where anyone lives; they are forgotten by travelers; they hang in the air, far away from mankind; they swing to and fro. 5As for the earth, out of it comes bread, but 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

Words taken from the KJV.

• He settethשׂוּםώûm ώîym · to set: putH7760
• an endקֵץqêts · endH7093
• to darknessחֹ֫שֶׁךְchôshek · darknessH2822
• and searcheth outחָקַרchâqar · to searchH2713
• all perfectionתַּכְלִיתtaklîyth · limitH8503
• the stonesאֶ֫בֶן'eben · stoneH68
• of darknessאֹ֫פֶל'ôphel · darknessH652
• and the shadow of deathצַלְמָ֫וֶתtsalmâveth · shadowH6757

Cross-references for Job 28:3

• Proverbs 2:4if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures,
• Ecclesiastes 1:13And I applied my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom all that is done under heaven. It is an unhappy business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with.
• Habakkuk 2:13Behold, is it not from the Lord of hosts that peoples labor merely for fire, and nations weary themselves for nothing?
• Matthew 6:33But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
• Luke 16:8The master commended the dishonest manager for his shrewdness. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light.
• Job 10:21before I go—and I shall not return— to the land of darkness and deep shadow,
• Job 12:22He uncovers the deeps out of darkness and brings deep darkness to light.
• Job 38:16"Have you entered into the springs of the sea, or 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