Job 28:2

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

Job 28:2 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
2 Iron is taken out of the earth, and brass is molten out of the stone.
English Standard Version (ESV)
2 Iron is taken out of the earth, and copper is smelted from the ore.
New Living Translation (NLT)
2 They know where to dig iron from the earth and how to smelt copper from rock.
The Message Bible (MSG)
2 We're aware of how iron is dug out of the ground and copper is smelted from rock.
American Standard Version (ASV)
2 Iron is taken out of the earth, And copper is molten out of the stone.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
2 Iron is taken from the ground, and rocks are melted for [their] copper.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
2 Iron is taken from the ground, and copper is smelted from ore.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
2 Iron is taken out of the earth. Copper is melted down from ore.

Job 28:2 Meaning and Commentary

Job 28:2

Iron is taken out of the earth
Very easily, and in great plenty, and is more common, being in most countries, is nearer the surface of the earth, and here said to be taken "out of the dust" F24; which, being melted in a furnace, produces iron, a metal very serviceable for various rises, and without which there is scarce any thing to be done, and therefore was with brass of early invention. Tubalcain, son of Lamech, supposed to be the Vulcan of the Heathens, a worker in iron, is said to be the instructor of every artificer in brass and iron, ( Genesis 4:22 ) ;

and brass [is] molten [out of] the stone;
out of a brassy stone, called "cadmai", as Pliny says, and also out of another, as he observes F25, called "chalcites", found in Cyprus, where was the first invention of brass, according to him, and hence perhaps copper had its name; but it is plain from Scripture, the places before referred to, that it was invented elsewhere, and long before Cyprus was known; or a "stone melted becomes brass", see ( Deuteronomy 8:9 ) ( 33:25 ) ; of these four metals was the image in Nebuchadnezzar's vision, which represented the four monarchies of the world, Babylonian, Persian, Grecian, and Roman, ( Daniel 2:30 Daniel 2:33 ) ; and to them are compared, and by them are represented many things in Scripture.


FOOTNOTES:

F24 (rpem) "e pulvere", V. L. Montanus, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Cocceius, Michaelis, Schultens.
F25 Nat. Hist. l. 34. c. 1, 2.

Job 28:2 In-Context

1 There is a mine for silver and a place where gold is refined.
2 Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore.
3 Mortals put an end to the darkness; they search out the farthest recesses for ore in the blackest darkness.
4 Far from human dwellings they cut a shaft, in places untouched by human feet; far from other people they dangle and sway.
5 The earth, from which food comes, is transformed below as by fire;

Cross References 1

  • 1. Deuteronomy 8:9
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