Job 28:10

KJV

He cutteth out rivers among the rocks; and his eye seeth every precious thing.

KJV (with Strong's)

He cutteth out {H1234} rivers {H2975} among the rocks {H6697}; and his eye {H5869} seeth {H7200} every precious thing {H3366}.

Complete Jewish Bible

and cuts out galleries in the rock, all the while watching for something of value.

Berean Standard Bible

He hews out channels in the rocks, and his eyes spot every treasure.

American Standard Version

He cutteth out channels among the rocks; And his eye seeth every precious thing.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 28:10 stands as a powerful testament to humanity's extraordinary ingenuity, perseverance, and keen observational skills in the relentless pursuit of earthly treasures. This verse vividly portrays ancient miners' arduous labor, as they literally reshape the earth's hardened crust, carving intricate channels through solid rock to access and discern every hidden, valuable mineral. It highlights humanity's capacity to overcome immense natural obstacles and meticulously identify worth, thereby setting a profound stage for the chapter's ultimate theological contrast: the unsearchable and divinely revealed nature of true wisdom, which far surpasses any earthly discovery.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 28 is a unique and self-contained poetic interlude within the larger narrative of Job, often considered one of the most sublime wisdom poems in the entire Bible. It serves as a pivotal transition, appearing after the third cycle of debates between Job and his friends, and before Elihu's speeches and God's direct addresses. Verses 1-11, including Job 28:10, meticulously detail the incredible lengths to which humanity goes to extract precious metals and stones from the earth's deepest, darkest recesses. This section extols human skill, determination, and the ability to conquer natural barriers. The subsequent verses (Job 28:12-28) then pivot sharply, asking where wisdom can be found if not in the earth, and ultimately revealing that true wisdom is not found through human exploration or purchase, but is known and given by God alone, culminating in the declaration that "the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding" [Job 28:28](/job/28-28 "Job 28:28 - The Fear of the Lord is Wisdom"). This verse, therefore, provides the human-centric side of a profound theological equation.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The ancient Near East, particularly regions like Edom (known for its mining, possibly relevant to Job's setting), engaged in extensive and dangerous mining operations. This verse reflects the advanced, albeit perilous, engineering feats of the time. Miners would "cut out rivers" (channels or tunnels) through solid rock, not only for access to veins of ore but also for ventilation and, crucially, for draining water from underground springs or seepage, which was a constant challenge in deep shafts. The "precious things" sought—gold, silver, copper, iron, and various gemstones—were highly valued commodities, essential for trade, adornment, and status. The description underscores the immense physical labor, the specialized knowledge of geology, and the acute observational skills required to identify and extract these hidden riches from the earth's unyielding embrace.
* **Key Themes:** Job 28:10 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the chapter and the book of Job. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates **Human Ingenuity and Labor**, showcasing humanity's remarkable capacity for innovation, perseverance, and the ability to reshape the natural world to achieve its objectives. The description of carving through rock and seeing hidden treasures speaks to an almost superhuman drive. Secondly, the phrase "his eye seeth every precious thing" highlights the theme of **Diligence and Observation**, emphasizing the meticulous attention, sharp perception, and focused effort required to discern true value amidst the mundane or hidden. This is not a casual discovery but a painstaking search. Most importantly, this verse, by detailing the pinnacle of human achievement in uncovering earthly treasures, serves as a powerful **Contrast with Divine Wisdom**. The entire chapter uses this human prowess as a foil to argue that, despite our best efforts to unearth earthly riches, true wisdom remains elusive to human discovery and cannot be bought with any earthly price. It sets the stage for the profound theological truth that wisdom's source is ultimately transcendent and divine, a theme echoed in [Proverbs 8](/proverbs/8 "Proverbs 8 - Wisdom's Call") and [Proverbs 3:13-18](/proverbs/3-13 "Proverbs 3:13-18 - The Blessings of Wisdom").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **cutteth out (Hebrew, _bāqaʿ_):** This verb means "to cleave, split, break open, burst forth." It conveys a forceful, determined, and often violent action. It's used elsewhere for the parting of the Red Sea or the splitting of rocks for water. Here, it vividly depicts the immense effort and power required to literally carve passages through solid, unyielding rock, emphasizing the human capacity to overcome formidable natural barriers.
* **rivers (Hebrew, _tĕ'ōrōt_):** While literally "rivers," in this context, the term refers to channels, tunnels, or shafts. It evokes the image of watercourses, but here it is applied to the man-made passages through rock. This suggests not only the depth and length of these mining tunnels but also perhaps their function in draining water or providing ventilation, akin to how natural rivers carve paths through landscapes. It underscores the scale of ancient engineering.
* **precious thing (Hebrew, _yĕqār_):** This noun denotes something "costly, valuable, rare, esteemed, splendid." It encompasses not just monetary worth but also inherent value and beauty. It implies that what is sought is not common or easily found, but requires discernment and effort to identify and appreciate its true worth.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He cutteth out rivers among the rocks":** This clause describes humanity's (represented by the miner) incredible feat of engineering and perseverance. It paints a picture of arduous labor, where individuals literally cleave and carve deep, winding channels or tunnels through the most resistant geological formations. This is a testament to human determination, skill, and the ability to conquer seemingly insurmountable physical obstacles in the pursuit of a goal. It demonstrates a mastery over the natural world, reshaping it for human purposes.
* **"and his eye seeth every precious thing":** This second clause shifts focus from physical labor to intellectual and perceptual acumen. It highlights the keen discernment and meticulous observation required not only to navigate the dark, dangerous underground passages but, more importantly, to identify and distinguish valuable minerals from common rock. It speaks to a focused, trained eye that can perceive worth where others might see only dirt or stone, emphasizing the diligence and expertise involved in the search for hidden treasures.

#### Literary Devices
Job 28:10 is rich in **Imagery**, painting a vivid picture of the miner's arduous work. The phrase "cutteth out rivers among the rocks" employs a **Metaphor** where "rivers" represent the man-made channels or tunnels, evoking the natural power of water to carve through stone, but here attributing that power to human hands. This also contains an element of **Hyperbole**, exaggerating the scale of human effort to emphasize its extraordinary nature. The verse uses **Personification** by attributing a keen, discerning "eye" to the miner, highlighting the human capacity for meticulous observation and the specialized skill required to identify hidden value. Implicitly, the verse also sets up a profound **Juxtaposition** or **Contrast**, laying the groundwork for the chapter's overarching theme: the immense human effort to find earthly treasures is set against the ultimate elusiveness of divine wisdom, which cannot be found by such means.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 28:10, while celebrating human ingenuity, serves as a crucial theological pivot. It establishes the pinnacle of human capability in discovering and extracting physical wealth, yet this very achievement is then dwarfed by the unsearchable nature of divine wisdom. The verse implicitly raises the question: if humanity can achieve such mastery over the earth's hidden treasures, why can it not find wisdom? This highlights a fundamental distinction between human knowledge, which is limited to what can be observed and extracted, and divine wisdom, which is transcendent and revealed. God's "eye seeth every precious thing" not just in the earth, but in the depths of His own being and counsel, including the mysteries of creation and redemption, which are far more profound than any earthly gem. This sets up the grand theological truth that true wisdom originates from God and is only accessible through His revelation and the "fear of the Lord."

* [Proverbs 2:4-6](/proverbs/2-4 "Proverbs 2:4-6 - Seeking Wisdom Like Hidden Treasure")
* [Matthew 6:19-21](/matthew/6-19 "Matthew 6:19-21 - Laying Up Treasures in Heaven")
* [Romans 11:33](/romans/11-33 "Romans 11:33 - The Unsearchable Riches of God's Wisdom")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 28:10 invites us to marvel at the incredible human capacity for perseverance, innovation, and diligent observation. It reminds us that significant achievements, whether in science, art, or daily life, often demand immense effort, meticulous attention to detail, and a willingness to overcome formidable obstacles. We are called to reflect on what "treasures" we are diligently seeking in our own lives and the "rocks" we are willing to "cut through" to obtain them. Are our greatest efforts directed towards earthly riches, fleeting successes, or the pursuit of deeper, more enduring value? The chapter's broader message, illuminated by this verse, is a profound challenge: if we apply such extraordinary effort and keen discernment to finding earthly wealth, how much more should we apply ourselves to seeking the true wisdom that comes from God? This wisdom, unlike earthly treasures, is incorruptible, eternal, and provides genuine understanding and purpose. It calls us to re-evaluate our priorities and direct our most fervent zeal towards knowing God and His will.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "rocks" or obstacles are we willing to "cut through" in our pursuit of what we deem most valuable in life?**
* **How diligently do we "see every precious thing" in God's Word, His creation, and the opportunities He presents for spiritual growth?**
* **In what ways might our pursuit of earthly "treasures" (whether wealth, status, or comfort) inadvertently distract us from seeking true, divine wisdom?**
* **What practical steps can we take to apply the same level of diligence and keen observation to our spiritual lives as a miner applies to finding hidden gems?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of "rivers" in this context?**

Answer: In Job 28:10, "rivers" (Hebrew: *tĕ'ōrōt*) does not refer to natural flowing water bodies on the surface. Instead, it is a powerful metaphor for the deep, intricate channels, tunnels, or shafts that ancient miners painstakingly carved through solid rock. This imagery highlights the immense scale of human engineering and the sheer determination required to penetrate the earth's crust. These "rivers" were essential for accessing mineral veins, providing ventilation, and crucially, for draining underground water, demonstrating humanity's ability to reshape even the most unyielding natural environments in their quest for hidden treasures.

**How does this verse relate to the overall message of Job 28?**

Answer: Job 28:10 is a foundational verse for understanding the chapter's profound theological argument. It vividly establishes humanity's remarkable ability to discover and extract earthly treasures, showcasing human ingenuity, perseverance, and observational skill. This detailed description of human mastery over the earth's hidden riches serves as a dramatic foil for the chapter's central question: "But where shall wisdom be found? and where is the place of understanding?" [Job 28:12](/job/28-12 "Job 28:12 - Where Wisdom is Found?"). The verse sets up the powerful contrast, demonstrating that while humanity can conquer the earth's depths, true wisdom remains beyond its grasp, belonging solely to God and revealed through the "fear of the Lord" [Job 28:28](/job/28-28 "Job 28:28 - The Fear of the Lord is Wisdom").

**Does this verse discourage human achievement or exploration?**

Answer: No, the verse does not discourage human achievement or exploration; rather, it celebrates and marvels at it. It acknowledges the incredible feats of human engineering, labor, and discernment. However, its purpose within the broader chapter is to put human achievement into perspective. It shows that even humanity's greatest endeavors in discovering and extracting earthly value cannot lead to ultimate wisdom. The message is not to cease striving, but to recognize the limits of human knowledge and to understand that the most valuable "treasure"—true wisdom—is not found through human effort or wealth, but is a gift from God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job 28:10, while celebrating human ingenuity, ultimately points to a greater, divine wisdom embodied in Christ. The miner’s arduous work of "cutting out rivers among the rocks" to find "every precious thing" foreshadows the ultimate, costly work of God in Christ. Just as humanity delves into the earth for hidden treasures, God, in His infinite wisdom, has revealed the most precious treasure of all in His Son. Christ is the "rock" from which living water flows [1_corinthians/10-4](/1-corinthians/10-4 "1 Corinthians 10:4 - Christ, the Spiritual Rock"), and through His crucifixion—a profound "cutting out" and breaking open—the unsearchable riches of God's grace and wisdom are made accessible to humanity [ephesians/3-8](/ephesians/3-8 "Ephesians 3:8 - The Unsearchable Riches of Christ"). The "eye" that "seeth every precious thing" is ultimately God's, and what He saw as most precious was His only begotten Son, given to redeem a lost world [john/3-16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World"). In Christ, "are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" [colossians/2-3](/colossians/2-3 "Colossians 2:3 - In Christ are Hidden All Treasures of Wisdom"). Therefore, the diligent pursuit of earthly treasures in Job 28:10 finds its ultimate spiritual fulfillment in the divine pursuit and revelation of Christ, the true and eternal wisdom of God, who is more precious than any gem.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Proverbs 14:23

¶ In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips [tendeth] only to penury.

Habakkuk 3:9

Thy bow was made quite naked, [according] to the oaths of the tribes, [even thy] word. Selah. Thou didst cleave the earth with rivers.

Proverbs 24:4

And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.