Job 28:24

For he looketh to the ends of the earth, [and] seeth under the whole heaven;

For he looketh {H5027} to the ends {H7098} of the earth {H776}, and seeth {H7200} under the whole heaven {H8064};

For he can see to the ends of the earth and view everything under heaven.

For He looks to the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens.

For he looketh to the ends of the earth, And seeth under the whole heaven;

Job 28:24 powerfully declares God's all-encompassing knowledge and divine omniscience. This verse asserts that the Creator's gaze extends to every corner of the universe, seeing and understanding all that exists "under the whole heaven."

Context

This verse is a pivotal part of the profound "Hymn to Wisdom" found in Job chapter 28. Throughout this chapter, Job contrasts humanity's impressive ability to discover hidden treasures and construct intricate mining operations deep within the earth with its inability to find or comprehend true wisdom. While humans can trace paths to precious metals and gems, the pathway to ultimate wisdom remains hidden from all living creatures (Job 28:12-14). The chapter culminates by revealing that only God knows the source and path of wisdom because He established the universe and sees everything within it. Verse 24 serves as a foundational statement, affirming God's universal awareness and perfect understanding, which are essential aspects of His wisdom.

Key Themes

  • Divine Omniscience: The verse unequivocally states God's infinite knowledge. He doesn't just observe; He deeply comprehends all that is, from the furthest reaches of the "ends of the earth" to every detail "under the whole heaven." This highlights His perfect and complete awareness of all events, thoughts, and beings.
  • Universal Scope of God's Gaze: God's vision is boundless, unimpeded by distance, time, or physical barriers. His sight encompasses every part of creation, reinforcing His absolute sovereignty as the Creator and Sustainer of the cosmos.
  • God's Unrivaled Understanding: In contrast to humanity's limited perception and endless search for wisdom, God inherently possesses it because His vision and understanding are total. He not only sees the world but also understands its very essence and purpose, including the nature of wisdom itself.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated "looketh" is yavin (יָבִין), derived from the root bin, which means "to understand," "to discern," or "to perceive deeply." This implies more than a superficial glance; it denotes a profound, comprehensive grasp of what is seen. When coupled with "seeth" (yabbit, יַבִּיט), which suggests a direct, penetrating gaze, the verse emphasizes that God not only observes everything but does so with perfect understanding and discernment. He knows the intricacies and implications of all He beholds.

Related Scriptures

The concept of God's all-seeing eye and infinite knowledge is a consistent truth throughout Scripture. The psalmist beautifully articulates this divine attribute when he asks, "Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there" (Psalm 139:7-12), directly aligning with the omnipresence and omniscience implied by Job 28:24. Similarly, Proverbs 15:3 declares, "The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good." This verse in Job serves as a foundational statement about the divine attribute of omniscience, which is crucial for understanding God's character and His just governance of the universe.

Practical Application

The truth that God "looketh to the ends of the earth, and seeth under the whole heaven" carries profound practical implications for believers. It offers immense comfort and reassurance, knowing that God is intimately aware of every detail of our lives, our struggles, our joys, and our deepest thoughts, no matter how private or hidden they may seem. There is no circumstance or location that is beyond His sight or care. Conversely, this truth also inspires a sense of accountability, reminding us that all our actions, motives, and intentions are fully known to Him. This should motivate us to live lives that honor Him, fostering a deep trust in His perfect knowledge and sovereign plan, especially when our own understanding is limited (Proverbs 3:5-6).

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.

  • Proverbs 15:3

    ¶ The eyes of the LORD [are] in every place, beholding the evil and the good.

  • Zechariah 4:10

    For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel [with] those seven; they [are] the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth.

  • 2 Chronicles 16:9

    For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of [them] whose heart [is] perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.

  • Psalms 33:13

    The LORD looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men.

  • Psalms 33:14

    From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth.

  • Revelation 5:6

    ¶ And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.

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