Job 28:22

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

Destruction and death say, We have heard the fame thereof with our ears.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Destruction and Death say, 'We have heard a rumor about it with our ears.'

Berean Standard Bible:

Abaddon and Death say, ‘We have heard a rumor about it.’

American Standard Version:

Destruction and Death say, We have heard a rumor thereof with our ears.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Destruction^{H11} and death^{H4194} say^{H559}, We have heard^{H8085} the fame^{H8088} thereof with our ears^{H241}.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Job 28:22

Job 28:22 is part of a larger poem found in the Book of Job, which is a complex work of ancient Hebrew literature. The book as a whole addresses the problem of suffering and the nature of wisdom, particularly through the experiences of the protagonist, Job, who endures extreme personal loss and physical affliction.

In the specific context of Job 28, the theme is the inaccessibility of wisdom. This chapter is a meditation on the mystery of wisdom's location and the human inability to find it, despite the ability to mine the depths of the earth for precious metals and gems. Verse 22, in particular, personifies "Destruction" (or "Abaddon") and "Death," entities often associated with the grave or the realm of the dead in Hebrew thought. These personified forces declare that they have heard of wisdom with their ears, suggesting that even the most profound and feared aspects of existence are aware of wisdom's existence, yet it remains elusive and beyond their reach.

Historically, this verse reflects an ancient Near Eastern understanding of the cosmos, where elements of nature and personifications of abstract concepts are given voice to express truths about the human condition. The verse underscores the idea that wisdom is not something that can be discovered through human effort or power, nor is it confined to the physical world. Instead, it hints at a deeper, more transcendent source of wisdom, which is a theme that resonates throughout the Book of Job and the wisdom literature of the Bible. The historical context of the Book of Job is somewhat uncertain, but it is generally thought to have been written during or after the Babylonian exile (6th century BCE), a period when the Israelites were grappling with profound theological questions in the face of suffering and national upheaval.

In summary, Job 28:22 contributes to the book's exploration of wisdom by emphasizing its inaccessibility to humans, including the most powerful forces of destruction and death. This verse reflects the broader themes of the Book of Job, which challenge simplistic understandings of wisdom and suffering, and it does so within the rich literary and theological tradition of ancient Hebrew wisdom literature.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H11
   There are 5045 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֲבַדּוֹן
   Transliteration: ʼăbaddôwn
   Pronunciation: ab-ad-done'
   Description: intensive from אָבַד; abstract, a perishing; concrete, Hades; destruction.
   
2. Strong's Number: H4194
   There are 155 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מָוֶת
   Transliteration: mâveth
   Pronunciation: maw'-veth
   Description: from מוּת; death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin; (be) dead(-ly), death, die(-d).
   
3. Strong's Number: H559
   There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָמַר
   Transliteration: ʼâmar
   Pronunciation: aw-mar'
   Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet.
   
4. Strong's Number: H8085
   There are 1072 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁמַע
   Transliteration: shâmaʻ
   Pronunciation: shaw-mah'
   Description: a primitive root; to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.); [idiom] attentively, call (gather) together, [idiom] carefully, [idiom] certainly, consent, consider, be content, declare, [idiom] diligently, discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make to) hear(-ken, tell), [idiom] indeed, listen, make (a) noise, (be) obedient, obey, perceive, (make a) proclaim(-ation), publish, regard, report, shew (forth), (make a) sound, [idiom] surely, tell, understand, whosoever (heareth), witness.
   
5. Strong's Number: H8088
   There are 17 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שֵׁמַע
   Transliteration: shêmaʻ
   Pronunciation: shay'-mah
   Description: from שָׁמַע; something heard, i.e. a sound, rumor, announcement; abstractly, audience; bruit, fame, hear(-ing), loud, report, speech, tidings.
   
6. Strong's Number: H241
   There are 652 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֹזֶן
   Transliteration: ʼôzen
   Pronunciation: o'-zen
   Description: from אָזַן; broadness. i.e. (concrete) the ear (from its form in man); [phrase] advertise, audience, [phrase] displease, ear, hearing, [phrase] show.