Job 28:1

CHAPTER XXVIII

Job, in showing the vanity of human pursuits in reference to

genuine wisdom, mentions mining for and refining gold and

silver, 1;

iron and other minerals, 2;

the difficulties of mining, 3, 4;

produce of grain for bread from the earth, and stones of fire

from under it, 5.

He speaks of precious stones and gold dust, 6;

of the instinct of fowls and wild beasts in finding their way,

7, 8;

and of the industry and successful attempts of men in mining

and other operations, 9-11:

but shows that with all their industry, skill, and perseverance,

they cannot find out true wisdom, 12;

of which he gives the most exalted character, 13-22;

and shows that God alone, the fountain of wisdom, knows and can

teach it, 24-27;

and in what this true wisdom consists, 28.

NOTES ON CHAP. XXVIII

Verse Job 28:1. Surely there is a vein for the silver] This chapter is the oldest and finest piece of natural history in the world, and gives us very important information on several curious subjects; and could we ascertain the precise meaning of all the original words, we might, most probably, find out allusions to several useful arts which we are apt to think are of modern, or comparatively modern, invention.

The word מוצא motsa, which we here translate vein, signifies literally, a going out; i.e., a mine, or place dug in the earth, whence the silver ore is extracted. And this ore lies generally in veins or loads, running in certain directions.

A place for gold where they fine it.] This should rather be translated, A place for gold which they refine. Gold ore has also its peculiar mine, and requires to be refined from earthy impurities.