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 where they fine it. 2Iron is taken out of the earth, and brass is molten out of the stone. He setteth an end to darkness, and searcheth out all perfection: the stones of darkness, and the shadow of death. 4The flood breaketh out from the inhabitant; even the waters forgotten of the foot: they are dried up, they are gone away from men. 5As for the earth, out of it cometh bread: and under it is turned up as it were fire.

Job 28:3 word by word

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

• 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 thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;
• Ecclesiastes 1:13And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven: this sore travail hath God given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith.
• Habakkuk 2:13Behold, is it not of Yhwh of Armies that the people shall labour in the very fire, and the people shall weary themselves for very vanity?
• 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 commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.
• Job 10:21Before I go whence I shall not return, even to the land of darkness and the shadow of death;
• Job 12:22He discovereth deep things out of darkness, and bringeth out to light the shadow of death.
• Job 38:16Hast thou entered into the springs of the sea? or hast thou walked in the search of the depth?

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