Job 28:2

Iron is taken out of the earth, and brass [is] molten [out of] the stone.

Iron {H1270} is taken {H3947} out of the earth {H6083}, and brass {H5154} is molten {H6694} out of the stone {H68}.

iron is extracted from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore.

Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore.

Iron is taken out of the earth, And copper is molten out of the stone.

Job 28:2 is part of a profound poetic interlude within the Book of Job, celebrating humanity's remarkable ingenuity in extracting valuable resources from the earth, while simultaneously setting the stage for a deeper discussion about the elusive nature of true wisdom.

Context

This verse belongs to Job chapter 28, a standalone poem often referred to as the "Hymn to Wisdom." The chapter begins by detailing humanity's impressive ability to delve into the earth's deepest recesses, creating mines and tunnels to unearth hidden treasures like silver and gold (Job 28:1). Verse 2 specifically highlights the extraction of iron from the ground and the smelting of brass (or copper) from stone. This vivid description of human mastery over the physical world serves as a powerful backdrop to the central question of the chapter: Where can wisdom be found, and what is its source? The ultimate conclusion is that true wisdom is not found in the earth's depths but belongs to God alone (Job 28:23, Job 28:28).

Key Themes

  • Human Ingenuity and Diligence: The verse powerfully illustrates humanity's capacity for exploration, hard work, and innovation. People go to great lengths and endure significant danger to extract materials that sustain and advance civilization. This speaks to the God-given creativity within mankind.
  • Mastery Over the Physical World: It showcases humanity's ability to subdue and utilize the earth's resources. The processes described—mining iron and smelting brass—were complex and vital technologies in the ancient world, demonstrating a sophisticated understanding of metallurgy.
  • Contrast with Divine Wisdom: This impressive human skill in mastering the physical realm is presented in stark contrast to humanity's inability to discover or comprehend divine wisdom through their own efforts. The chapter implies that while we can find gold and iron, wisdom's true source remains hidden from human eyes unless revealed by God.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV translation of "brass" often refers to what is more accurately understood as copper or bronze (an alloy of copper and tin) in ancient Hebrew contexts. The Hebrew word is nechosheth (נְחֹשֶׁת), which broadly covers these copper-based metals. True brass (copper and zinc alloy) was less common in the ancient Near East during the time of Job. The phrase "molten out of the stone" refers to the process of smelting, where ore-bearing stone is heated to high temperatures to separate the metal from the rock, a testament to ancient metallurgical knowledge.

Practical Application

Job 28:2 reminds us to appreciate the incredible human capacity for discovery, innovation, and hard work that God has instilled within us. We are capable of amazing feats in science, technology, and exploration. However, the chapter's overarching message calls for humility: while we can extract physical treasures from the earth, true wisdom, understanding, and the deepest truths about life and God are not found through human effort alone. They are gifts from God, requiring reverence and obedience (Proverbs 9:10). This verse encourages us to pursue knowledge and skill, but always with the understanding that ultimate wisdom resides with the Creator.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Deuteronomy 8:9

    A land wherein thou shalt eat bread without scarceness, thou shalt not lack any [thing] in it; a land whose stones [are] iron, and out of whose hills thou mayest dig brass.

  • Genesis 4:22

    And Zillah, she also bare Tubalcain, an instructer of every artificer in brass and iron: and the sister of Tubalcain [was] Naamah.

  • Numbers 31:22

    Only the gold, and the silver, the brass, the iron, the tin, and the lead,

  • 1 Chronicles 22:14

    Now, behold, in my trouble I have prepared for the house of the LORD an hundred thousand talents of gold, and a thousand thousand talents of silver; and of brass and iron without weight; for it is in abundance: timber also and stone have I prepared; and thou mayest add thereto.

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