Job 28:5
As for the earth, out of it cometh bread: and under it is turned up as it were fire.
Original Language Analysis
מִמֶּ֥נָּה
H4480
מִמֶּ֥נָּה
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
2 of 8
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
יֵֽצֵא
out of it cometh
H3318
יֵֽצֵא
out of it cometh
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
3 of 8
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
לָ֑חֶם
bread
H3899
לָ֑חֶם
bread
Strong's:
H3899
Word #:
4 of 8
food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)
וְ֝תַחְתֶּ֗יהָ
H8478
וְ֝תַחְתֶּ֗יהָ
Strong's:
H8478
Word #:
5 of 8
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc
Historical Context
Mining in the ancient Near East was perilous work requiring technological sophistication. Fire-setting, tunnel excavation, and ore processing all demanded specialized knowledge. Job's description reflects firsthand familiarity with mining operations, supporting a patriarchal date when such industries flourished. The contrast between surface agriculture (peaceful, life-giving) and underground mining (violent, death-risking) would resonate powerfully with Job's original audience.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the contrast between surface bread and subterranean fire illustrate the difference between common grace (provision) and the difficult search for ultimate truth?
- What does this verse teach about the limits of human effort in obtaining spiritual wisdom?
- How might our culture's confidence in technology and extraction mirror Job's contemporaries' mining prowess, yet still miss wisdom?
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Analysis & Commentary
As for the earth, out of it cometh bread—the surface produces sustenance through agriculture. Yet under it is turned up as it were fire (Hebrew tahath, תַּחַת, "beneath"). This stark contrast between earth's peaceful surface and violent subterranean mining operations introduces Job's theme: wisdom is harder to obtain than extracting gems from deep mines. The Hebrew haphak (הָפַךְ, "turned up") means to overturn or transform, depicting miners literally turning the earth inside-out seeking treasure.
Ancient miners used fire-setting—heating rock faces then dousing them with water to fracture stone. Job's audience would recognize this dangerous, labor-intensive process. The verse establishes irony: humans violently assault the earth to extract material wealth, yet cannot penetrate wisdom's hiding place through any amount of effort. This anticipates verse 28's conclusion that wisdom is found not through human excavation but divine revelation: "the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom."