Job 28:24

Authorized King James Version

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For he looketh to the ends of the earth, and seeth under the whole heaven;

Original Language Analysis

כִּי H3588
כִּי
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 1 of 9
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
ה֭וּא H1931
ה֭וּא
Strong's: H1931
Word #: 2 of 9
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
לִקְצוֹת to the ends H7098
לִקְצוֹת to the ends
Strong's: H7098
Word #: 3 of 9
a termination
הָאָ֣רֶץ of the earth H776
הָאָ֣רֶץ of the earth
Strong's: H776
Word #: 4 of 9
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
יַבִּ֑יט For he looketh H5027
יַבִּ֑יט For he looketh
Strong's: H5027
Word #: 5 of 9
to scan, i.e., look intently at; by implication, to regard with pleasure, favor or care
תַּ֖חַת H8478
תַּ֖חַת
Strong's: H8478
Word #: 6 of 9
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc
כָּל H3605
כָּל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 7 of 9
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַשָּׁמַ֣יִם under the whole heaven H8064
הַשָּׁמַ֣יִם under the whole heaven
Strong's: H8064
Word #: 8 of 9
the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r
יִרְאֶֽה׃ and seeth H7200
יִרְאֶֽה׃ and seeth
Strong's: H7200
Word #: 9 of 9
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

Analysis & Commentary

For he looketh to the ends of the earth, and seeth under the whole heaven—This verse transitions from wisdom's hiddenness to God's omniscience. The Hebrew ra'ah (רָאָה, to see/perceive) appears twice, emphasizing God's comprehensive vision. Qetseh ha'aretz (קְצֵה־הָאָרֶץ, ends of the earth) denotes the furthest geographical extremities, while tachat kol-hashamayim (תַּחַת כָּל־הַשָּׁמָיִם, under all the heavens) encompasses everything within creation's dome.

The contrast is deliberate: humans cannot find wisdom even in accessible places (mining shafts, the land of the living), but God sees everything simultaneously—from earth's extremities to every cubic inch under heaven. This divine omniscience isn't passive observation but active, comprehensive knowledge. The verse prepares for vv. 25-27, where God's seeing leads to creative ordering—weighing winds, measuring waters, decreeing natural laws. Unlike human sight limited by distance, darkness, and death, God's vision penetrates all barriers. This echoes Proverbs 15:3, 'The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.'

Historical Context

Ancient Near Eastern creation accounts often depicted gods with limited knowledge or geographical domains. In contrast, Job's monotheism presents one God whose vision encompasses all creation. The phrase 'ends of the earth' reflects ancient cosmology viewing the earth as a disc with edges, yet the theological point transcends the physical model—no place exists beyond God's sight. This comprehensive divine knowledge becomes crucial when God challenges Job from the whirlwind (chapters 38-41), asking if Job was present at creation or understands its governance.

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