Job 28 · Verse 3

Job 28:3

He setteth an end to darkness, and searcheth out all perfection: the stones of darkness, and the shadow of death.
Job 28:3, King James Version

Job 28:3 in other translations

BSBMan puts an end to the darkness; he probes the farthest recesses for ore in deepest darkness.
WEBMan sets an end to darkness, and searches out, to the furthest bound, the stones of obscurity and of thick darkness.
ASVMan setteth an end to darkness, And searcheth out, to the furthest bound, The stones of obscurity and of thick darkness.
YLTAn end hath he set to darkness, And to all perfection he is searching, A stone of darkness and death-shade.
DARBYMan putteth an end to the darkness, and exploreth to the utmost limit, the stones of darkness and of the shadow of death.
BBEMan puts an end to the dark, searching out to the farthest limit the stones of the deep places of the dark.
WebsterHe setteth an end to darkness, and searcheth out all perfection: the stones of darkness, and the shades of death.

What does Job 28:3 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
3. "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).

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 3 He 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 have gone to the regions of the shadow of death. Mr. Good translates: "Man delveth into the region of darkness; and examineth, to the uttermost limit, the stones of darkness and death-shade."

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Job 28:1-11

Job maintained that the dispensations of Providence were regulated by the highest wisdom. To confirm this, he showed of what a great deal of knowledge and wealth men may make themselves masters. The caverns of the earth may be discovered, but not the counsels of Heaven. Go to the miners, thou sluggard in religion, consider their ways, and be wise. Let their courage and diligence in seeking the wealth that perishes…

Read the full comment on Job 28:1-11 →

Job 28:3 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

קֵ֤ץ\׀ketzan endH7093
שָׂ֤םsamsomeone putsH7760
לַחֹ֗שֶׁךְla.Cho.shekhto the darknessH2822
וּֽלְכָל\־u.le.khol-and to everyH3605
תַּ֭כְלִיתTakh.litoutermost partH8503
ה֣וּאhu'heH1931
חוֹקֵ֑רcho.Ker[is] searching forH2713
אֶ֖בֶן'E.ven[the] stone ofH68
אֹ֣פֶל'O.felgloomH652
וְצַלְמָֽוֶת\׃ve.tzal.Ma.vetand deep darknessH6757

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Job 28:3

  • Ecclesiastes 1:13

    And 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.

  • Job 38:16-17

    Hast thou entered into the springs of the sea? or hast thou walked in the search of the depth? Have the gates of death been opened unto thee? or hast thou seen the doors of the shadow of death?

  • Proverbs 2:4

    If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;

  • Job 12:22

    He discovereth deep things out of darkness, and bringeth out to light the shadow of death.

  • Matthew 6:33

    But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

  • Job 10:21-22

    Before I go whence I shall not return, even to the land of darkness and the shadow of death; A land of darkness, as darkness itself; and of the shadow of death, without any order, and where the light is as darkness.

  • Habakkuk 2:13

    Behold, is it not of the Lord of hosts that the people shall labour in the very fire, and the people shall weary themselves for very vanity?

  • Luke 16:8

    And 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.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
searcheth.
Pr 2:4; Ec 1:13; Hab 2:13; Mt 6:33; Lu 16:8
the stones.
10:21,22; 12:22; 38:16,17

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Job 28:2

    Iron is taken out of the earth, and brass is molten out of the stone.

  • Job 28:3

    He setteth an end to darkness, and searcheth out all perfection: the stones of darkness, and the shadow of death.

  • Job 28:4

    The flood breaketh out from the inhabitant; even the waters forgotten of the foot: they are dried up, they are gone away from men.

Read all of Job 28

Job 28:3 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		A las tinieblas puso término, y examina todo á la perfección, las piedras que hay en la oscuridad y en la sombra de muerte.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		L’homme met fin aux ténèbres et explore jusqu’à l’extrémité de tout, la pierre d’obscurité et de l’ombre de la mort.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Er hat der Finsternis ein Ende gesetzt, und durchforscht bis zur äußersten Grenze das Gestein der Finsternis und des Todesschattens.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Tempus posuit tenebris, et universorum finem ipse considerat: lapidem quoque caliginis et umbram mortis.