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

1“People know where to mine silver and how to refine gold. 2They know where to dig iron from the earth and how to smelt copper from rock. 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. 4They sink a mine shaft into the earth far from where anyone lives. They descend on ropes, swinging back and forth. 5Food is grown on the earth above, but down below, the earth is melted 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 2:4Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures.
• Ecclesiastes 1:13I devoted myself to search for understanding and to explore by wisdom everything being done under heaven. I soon discovered that God has dealt a tragic existence to the human race.
• Habakkuk 2:13Has not the Lord of Heaven’s Armies promised that the wealth of nations will turn to ashes? They work so hard, but all in vain!
• Matthew 6:33Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
• Luke 16:8“The rich man had to admire the dishonest rascal for being so shrewd. And it is true that the children of this world are more shrewd in dealing with the world around them than are the children of the light.
• Job 10:21before I leave—never to return— for the land of darkness and utter gloom.
• Job 12:22“He uncovers mysteries hidden in darkness; he brings light to the deepest gloom.
• Job 38:16“Have you explored the springs from which the seas come? Have you explored their depths?

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