Job 28:11

KJV

He bindeth the floods from overflowing; and [the thing that is] hid bringeth he forth to light.

KJV (with Strong's)

He bindeth {H2280} the floods {H5104} from overflowing {H1065}; and the thing that is hid {H8587} bringeth he forth {H3318} to light {H216}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He dams up streams to keep them from flooding, and brings what was hidden out into the light.

Berean Standard Bible

He stops up the sources of the streams to bring what is hidden to light.

American Standard Version

He bindeth the streams that they trickle not; And the thing that is hid bringeth he forth to light.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 28:11, situated within the profound "Hymn to Wisdom," powerfully declares God's absolute sovereignty over creation and His unparalleled omniscience. It asserts that while human ingenuity can delve into the earth's deepest recesses to unearth hidden treasures, only God possesses the power to restrain the most formidable natural forces, such as floods, and to reveal the most profound and concealed truths, including the very essence of wisdom itself. This verse underscores the vast chasm between finite human knowledge and infinite divine understanding and control.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Chapter 28 of Job stands as a magnificent poetic interlude, often referred to as the "Hymn to Wisdom," strategically placed between Job's final defense and God's climactic speeches. The preceding verses (Job 28:1-11) marvel at humanity's astonishing engineering prowess and courage in mining the earth for precious metals and stones, reaching places inaccessible to even the keenest birds of prey. The passage meticulously describes human endeavors to tunnel through mountains and bring forth hidden earthly riches. However, a profound rhetorical question then shifts the focus: "But where shall wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding?" [Job 28:12](/job/28-12 "Job 28:12 - The Search for Wisdom"). This sets the stage for the declaration in [Job 28:11](/job/28-11 "Job 28:11 - God's Power and Revelation"), asserting that while humans can uncover physical secrets, true wisdom is of a different order, known and controlled solely by God. The chapter culminates in [Job 28:28](/job/28-28 "Job 28:28 - The Fear of the Lord is Wisdom"), defining true wisdom as the fear of the Lord and departing from evil.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, mining was a perilous and arduous undertaking, requiring immense skill, courage, and technological innovation for its time. The descriptions in [Job 28:1-11](/job/28-1_11 "Job 28:1-11 - Human Ingenuity in Mining") reflect a sophisticated understanding of such endeavors, highlighting human mastery over the physical world. Culturally, wisdom was highly prized, often personified and seen as a divine attribute or a gift from the gods. The concept of "hidden things" was prevalent, referring not only to physical treasures but also to divine decrees, mysteries, and the deep knowledge of the cosmos. The imagery of controlling floods was particularly resonant in cultures dependent on river systems (like the Nile or the Tigris-Euphrates), where uncontrolled waters could bring devastation, making divine control over such forces a powerful demonstration of supreme power.
* **Key Themes:** [Job 28:11](/job/28-11 "Job 28:11 - God's Control and Revelation") contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Job and biblical theology. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Sovereignty Over Creation**. God's ability to "bindeth the floods from overflowing" emphasizes His absolute control over the most powerful and potentially destructive natural forces, showcasing His role as the ultimate sustainer and orderer of the cosmos, a theme echoed in passages like [Psalm 29:10](/psalms/29-10 "Psalm 29:10 - The Lord Enthroned Over the Flood"). Secondly, the verse highlights **God's Omniscience and Revelation**. The declaration that "the thing that is hid bringeth he forth to light" asserts God's perfect and comprehensive knowledge. Nothing is concealed from Him—no physical secret, no human motive, and certainly no profound mystery of wisdom itself. This positions God as the ultimate revealer, capable of illuminating what is otherwise obscure, a truth affirmed in [Daniel 2:22](/daniel/2-22 "Daniel 2:22 - God Reveals Deep and Secret Things"). Finally, in the broader context of [Job 28](/job/28 "Job 28 - Where Can Wisdom Be Found?"), this verse reinforces the theme of the **Source of True Wisdom**. While humanity can uncover earthly riches, the profound wisdom that truly matters, the "way to wisdom" and its "place" [Job 28:23](/job/28-23 "Job 28:23 - God Knows the Way to Wisdom"), is uniquely possessed by God and revealed by Him.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Bindeth (Hebrew, _ḥāśak_):** This verb (חָשַׂךְ, H2820) means "to hold back," "to restrain," "to withhold," or "to keep in check." It implies an active, deliberate act of control, not merely passive limitation. In the context of "floods," it speaks to God's power to prevent destructive torrents from overwhelming their boundaries, imposing order on potential chaos.
* **Floods (Hebrew, _nəhārōt_):** This is the plural form of נָהָר (_nāhār_, H5104), meaning "river," "stream," or "flood." In this context, it refers to powerful, possibly overwhelming, waters. The use of the plural emphasizes the immense scale and force of the waters that God restrains, highlighting the magnitude of His power.
* **Thing that is hid (Hebrew, _taʿălūmāh_):** This noun (תַּעֲלֻמָה, H8587) denotes "a secret," "a hidden thing," "a mystery," or "something profound that is concealed." It encompasses not just physical treasures buried deep within the earth, but also profound truths, divine purposes, and the very essence of wisdom that eludes human discovery.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He bindeth the floods from overflowing":** This clause vividly portrays God's absolute sovereignty over the natural world. The imagery of restraining powerful, potentially destructive floods speaks to His ability to impose order on chaos and set limits on forces that would otherwise overwhelm. It is a testament to His providential control, ensuring that even the most formidable elements of creation operate within His decreed boundaries. This also carries a metaphorical sense, implying God's control over overwhelming circumstances or forces in life that might threaten to engulf humanity.
* **"and [the thing that is] hid bringeth he forth to light":** This second clause shifts focus from God's power over nature to His omniscience and revelatory capacity. It declares that nothing is truly hidden from God. Whether it be the deepest secrets of the earth, the mysteries of the universe, the concealed motives of the human heart, or the profound truths of wisdom, God alone possesses the power and knowledge to bring these hidden realities into full illumination. This underscores His role as the ultimate source of all knowledge and truth, the one who dispels darkness and reveals what is obscure.

#### Literary Devices
Job 28:11 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its profound message. **Parallelism** is evident, specifically **synthetic parallelism**, where the second line expands upon or completes the thought of the first. "He bindeth the floods from overflowing" speaks to God's control over the visible, powerful forces of nature, while "the thing that is hid bringeth he forth to light" extends this control to the invisible, concealed truths. The verse also utilizes **Metaphor** and **Imagery**. "Floods" serves as a metaphor for overwhelming, chaotic forces, while "the thing that is hid" metaphorically represents profound truths and wisdom beyond human grasp. The act of "bringing forth to light" is a vivid image of revelation, contrasting with the darkness of the hidden. This **Contrast** between human mining (uncovering earthly treasures) and divine revelation (uncovering true wisdom) is central to the entire chapter, with [Job 28:11](/job/28-11 "Job 28:11 - God's Power and Revelation") serving as a pivotal statement of God's unique capacity in this regard.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 28:11 is a profound theological statement on God's unique attributes, connecting His sovereign control over the physical world with His exclusive knowledge of ultimate wisdom. The binding of floods speaks to God's providential ordering of creation, demonstrating that even the most chaotic elements are subject to His will. This theme of divine control over water is pervasive in Scripture, from the primordial waters of creation to the great flood, symbolizing God's power to establish boundaries and bring order. Furthermore, the revelation of "hidden things" points to God as the sole source of true knowledge and wisdom, distinguishing divine omniscience from limited human discovery. This implies that ultimate truth is not found through human ingenuity alone, but through divine disclosure.

* [Genesis 7:11](/genesis/7-11 "Genesis 7:11 - The Fountains of the Great Deep")
* [Psalm 147:5](/psalms/147-5 "Psalm 147:5 - God's Great Understanding")
* [Daniel 2:22](/daniel/2-22 "Daniel 2:22 - God Reveals Deep and Secret Things")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 28:11 offers profound spiritual nourishment, inviting believers to deepen their trust in God's omnipotence and omniscience. In a world often characterized by overwhelming challenges and perplexing mysteries, this verse serves as a powerful anchor, reminding us that God is actively in control, capable of restraining even the most turbulent "floods" in our lives—whether they be personal crises, societal upheavals, or existential anxieties. His ability to "bindeth the floods" provides immense comfort, assuring us that He sets limits on chaos and ensures that we will not be utterly overwhelmed. Simultaneously, the declaration that He "bringeth forth to light" all that is hidden calls us to humility and dependence. It reminds us that true wisdom and understanding are not primarily products of human effort or intellectual prowess, but divine gifts. This should inspire us to seek wisdom not merely through earthly pursuits, but through diligent study of His Word, fervent prayer, and a posture of humble reliance on His revelation. It also encourages integrity, knowing that all our hidden thoughts and actions are known to the God who brings everything to light.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the imagery of God "binding the floods" offer comfort or challenge in the face of overwhelming circumstances in your life?**
* **In what areas of your life are you seeking to uncover "hidden things" through human effort, and how might this verse encourage you to seek divine revelation instead?**
* **What practical steps can you take to cultivate a deeper reliance on God's wisdom rather than solely on your own understanding?**
* **How does the truth that God brings "hidden things to light" impact your sense of accountability and integrity?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the "Hymn to Wisdom" in Job 28?**

Answer: The "Hymn to Wisdom" in [Job 28](/job/28 "Job 28 - The Hymn to Wisdom") is a pivotal interlude that shifts the focus from Job's personal suffering and the philosophical debates with his friends to the ultimate source of wisdom. It serves as a theological climax, demonstrating that while humanity can achieve remarkable feats in exploring the physical world (as described in [Job 28:1-11](/job/28-1_11 "Job 28:1-11 - Human Mining Ingenuity")), true, profound wisdom cannot be found or purchased by human means. Instead, it belongs solely to God, who knows its "place" and "way" [Job 28:23](/job/28-23 "Job 28:23 - God Knows the Way to Wisdom"). The chapter concludes by defining wisdom as the fear of the Lord and departing from evil [Job 28:28](/job/28-28 "Job 28:28 - The Fear of the Lord is Wisdom"), thus preparing the reader for God's subsequent speeches that reveal His unsearchable wisdom and power.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job 28:11, with its declaration of God's power to control chaos and reveal hidden truths, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. As the pre-existent Word of God through whom all things were made [John 1:1-3](/john/1-1_3 "John 1:1-3 - The Word Was God"), Jesus embodies the very power that "bindeth the floods." His miraculous calming of the storm on the Sea of Galilee [Mark 4:35-41](/mark/4-35_41 "Mark 4:35-41 - Jesus Calms the Storm") is a vivid demonstration of this divine authority over natural forces, causing His disciples to marvel, "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?" [Mark 4:41](/mark/4-41 "Mark 4:41 - Who Is This?"). Furthermore, Jesus is the ultimate revealer of "the thing that is hid." He came to make known the Father [John 1:18](/john/1-18 "John 1:18 - No One Has Seen God"), to reveal the mysteries of the kingdom of God [Matthew 13:11](/matthew/13-11 "Matthew 13:11 - Secrets of the Kingdom"), and to bring light into a world shrouded in spiritual darkness [John 8:12](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, the Light of the World"). In Christ, the hidden wisdom of God, which was "hidden for ages and generations" [Colossians 1:26](/colossians/1-26 "Colossians 1:26 - The Mystery Revealed"), is now fully disclosed, for "in him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" [Colossians 2:3](/colossians/2-3 "Colossians 2:3 - In Christ Are Hidden All Treasures of Wisdom"). Thus, Job 28:11 points forward to the one who is both the Lord of creation and the embodiment of divine wisdom and revelation.

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

1 Corinthians 4:5

Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.

Isaiah 45:2

I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron:

Isaiah 45:3

And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the LORD, which call [thee] by thy name, [am] the God of Israel.

Isaiah 37:25

I have digged, and drunk water; and with the sole of my feet have I dried up all the rivers of the besieged places.

Isaiah 44:27

That saith to the deep, Be dry, and I will dry up thy rivers:

Job 26:8

He bindeth up the waters in his thick clouds; and the cloud is not rent under them.