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 offers a profound testament to humanity's remarkable ingenuity, relentless perseverance, and acute observational skills in the arduous pursuit of earthly treasures. This verse vividly depicts ancient miners' extraordinary 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 powerfully illustrates humanity's capacity to overcome immense natural obstacles and meticulously identify worth, thereby setting a crucial stage for the chapter's ultimate theological contrast: the unsearchable and divinely revealed nature of true wisdom, which far surpasses any earthly discovery or human endeavor.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 28 is a unique and self-contained poetic interlude within the larger narrative of Job, widely regarded as one of the most sublime wisdom poems in the entire Bible. Positioned after the third cycle of debates between Job and his friends, and preceding Elihu's speeches and God's direct addresses, it serves as a pivotal transition. 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 formidable natural barriers. The subsequent verses ([Job 28:12-28](/job/28-12-28 "Job 28:12-28 - The Elusiveness of Wisdom")) then pivot sharply, asking where wisdom can be found if not in the earth, and ultimately revealing that true wisdom is not discovered through human exploration or purchased with earthly wealth, but is known and given by God alone. This culminates in the profound 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")). Job 28:10, therefore, provides the human-centric side of a profound theological equation, highlighting humanity's impressive but ultimately limited capabilities.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The ancient Near East, particularly regions like Edom (known for its extensive mining operations, which may be relevant to Job's setting), engaged in widespread and exceedingly dangerous mining. This verse accurately reflects the advanced, albeit perilous, engineering feats of the time. Miners would "cut out rivers" – a powerful metaphor for carving channels or tunnels – through solid rock, not only for direct access to veins of ore but also for crucial ventilation and, significantly, for draining water from underground springs or seepage, which posed a constant threat in deep shafts. The "precious things" sought—including gold, silver, copper, iron, and various gemstones—were highly valued commodities, essential for trade, adornment, and status in ancient societies. The vivid description underscores the immense physical labor, the specialized geological knowledge, and the acute observational skills required to identify and extract these hidden riches from the earth's unyielding embrace. It paints a picture of a technologically advanced (for its time) and highly determined human endeavor.
* **Key Themes:** Job 28:10 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the chapter and the broader 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 and mastery over the environment. 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 throughout the wisdom literature, such as in [Proverbs 8](/proverbs/8 "Proverbs 8 - Wisdom's Personification and Call") and [Proverbs 3:13-18](/proverbs/3-13-18 "Proverbs 3:13-18 - The Blessings of Wisdom").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **cutteth out (Hebrew, _bâqaʻ'_):** This primitive root means "to cleave, split, break open, burst forth, rend." It conveys a forceful, determined, and often violent action, implying immense power and effort. It is used elsewhere in the Old Testament for significant acts like the parting of the Red Sea or the splitting of rocks to bring forth water. Here, it vividly depicts the arduous, almost violent, labor involved in literally carving passages through solid, unyielding rock, emphasizing humanity's capacity to overcome formidable natural barriers through sheer will and physical might.
* **rivers (Hebrew, _yᵉʼôr'_):** Of Egyptian origin, this word primarily refers to a channel, fosse, canal, or specifically the Nile River. While literally "rivers," in this context, the term is applied metaphorically to the man-made channels, tunnels, or shafts created by miners. This usage evokes the image of natural watercourses carving paths through landscapes, but here it attributes that same transformative power to human hands. It suggests not only the depth and length of these mining tunnels but also their crucial function in draining water or providing ventilation, akin to how natural rivers shape the land. It underscores the scale and sophistication of ancient engineering.
* **precious thing (Hebrew, _yᵉqâr'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to be heavy, weighty," this noun denotes something "costly, valuable, rare, esteemed, splendid, honorable." It encompasses not just monetary worth but also inherent value, beauty, and dignity. It implies that what is sought is not common or easily found, but requires discernment, effort, and specialized knowledge to identify and appreciate its true worth amidst the ordinary or hidden. This word highlights the discerning eye needed to differentiate true value.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He cutteth out rivers among the rocks":** This initial clause vividly describes humanity's (represented by the miner) extraordinary feat of engineering and perseverance. It paints a picture of arduous, physically demanding labor, where individuals literally cleave, split, and carve deep, winding channels or tunnels through the most resistant geological formations. This is a powerful testament to human determination, skill, and the ability to conquer seemingly insurmountable physical obstacles in the relentless pursuit of a goal. It demonstrates a profound mastery over the natural world, reshaping it to serve human purposes and extract its hidden resources.
* **"and his eye seeth every precious thing":** This second clause shifts focus from the physical exertion of labor to the intellectual and perceptual acumen required. It highlights the keen discernment, meticulous observation, and specialized knowledge necessary not only to navigate the dark, dangerous underground passages but, more importantly, to accurately identify and distinguish valuable minerals and gems 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, expertise, and precision involved in the painstaking search for hidden treasures.

#### Literary Devices
Job 28:10 is exceptionally rich in **Imagery**, painting a vivid and visceral picture of the miner's arduous and dangerous work. The phrase "cutteth out rivers among the rocks" employs a powerful **Metaphor** where "rivers" represent the man-made channels or tunnels. This metaphor evokes the natural, immense power of water to carve through stone, but here attributes that same transformative, landscape-altering power to human hands, thereby elevating human effort to an almost geological scale. This also contains an element of **Hyperbole**, exaggerating the scale of human endeavor to emphasize its extraordinary nature and the incredible lengths to which humanity will go. The verse further 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 in the darkness. Implicitly, the entire verse also sets up a profound **Juxtaposition** or **Contrast**, laying the groundwork for the chapter's overarching theological theme: the immense human effort and success in finding earthly treasures is starkly contrasted with the ultimate elusiveness of divine wisdom, which cannot be found by such means or purchased with such riches.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 28:10, while celebrating human ingenuity and perseverance, serves as a crucial theological pivot within the chapter. It establishes the pinnacle of human capability in discovering and extracting physical wealth, yet this very achievement is then dramatically dwarfed by the unsearchable nature of divine wisdom. The verse implicitly raises the profound 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, extracted, and understood through empirical effort, and divine wisdom, which is transcendent, originating from God, and accessible only through His revelation. God's "eye seeth every precious thing" not just in the earth's depths, but in the profound mysteries of His own being, His eternal counsel, and His redemptive plan, which are infinitely more profound than any earthly gem. This sets up the grand theological truth that true wisdom originates from God alone and is only truly accessible through His divine revelation and the "fear of the Lord."

* [Proverbs 2:4-6](/proverbs/2-4-6 "Proverbs 2:4-6 - Seeking Wisdom Like Hidden Treasure")
* [Matthew 6:19-21](/matthew/6-19-21 "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 serves as a powerful reminder that significant achievements in any field—whether scientific discovery, artistic creation, or daily vocational excellence—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 most diligently seeking in our own lives and the "rocks" or challenges we are willing to "cut through" to obtain them. Are our greatest efforts directed towards fleeting earthly riches, temporary successes, or the pursuit of deeper, more enduring value? The chapter's broader message, powerfully 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 divine wisdom, unlike earthly treasures, is incorruptible, eternal, and provides genuine understanding, purpose, and lasting joy. It calls us to re-evaluate our priorities and direct our most fervent zeal towards knowing God and His transformative will.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "rocks" or significant obstacles are we currently 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 spiritual opportunities He presents for our growth?**
* **In what ways might our fervent pursuit of earthly "treasures" (whether wealth, status, comfort, or fleeting pleasures) inadvertently distract us from seeking true, divine wisdom?**
* **What practical steps can we take to apply the same level of diligence, perseverance, 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: *yᵉʼôr*) does not refer to natural flowing water bodies on the surface. Instead, it is a powerful and evocative 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 crucial ventilation in the dark, confined spaces, and, significantly, for draining underground water, which was a constant and dangerous challenge in deep mines. This demonstrates humanity's remarkable ability to reshape even the most unyielding natural environments in their relentless 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, rhetorical 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. The chapter ultimately reveals that wisdom belongs solely to God and is revealed through "the fear of the Lord" ([Job 28:28](/job/28-28 "Job 28:28 - The Fear of the Lord is Wisdom")), which is a divine gift, not an earthly discovery.

**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 required to unearth the earth's hidden riches. However, its primary 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, wealth, or exploration, but is a divine gift from God, revealed on His terms.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job 28:10, while celebrating human ingenuity and the arduous pursuit of earthly treasures, ultimately points to a greater, divine wisdom and a more profound "precious thing" embodied in Jesus Christ. The miner’s painstaking 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 and love, has revealed the most precious treasure of all in His Son. Christ is the spiritual "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 of His body—the unsearchable riches of God's grace, mercy, 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")), far surpassing any earthly gem or mineral. 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 earthly possession.

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.