He putteth forth his hand upon the rock; he overturneth the mountains by the roots.

JOB 28:9KJV
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Job 28:9 (KJV)

What does Job 28:9 mean?

Job 28:9 describes a person using great effort and skill to dig into rock and even uproot mountains, showing human determination and ingenuity in searching for valuable things hidden in the earth. The verse highlights how people are willing to go to extreme lengths to uncover what is precious or hidden beneath the surface.

In the context of the book of Job, Job is speaking and reflecting on how humans mine the earth for treasures like gold and gems, using powerful imagery to show the lengths people go to in their search. This verse is part of a larger passage where Job marvels at human ability to find hidden things, setting up a contrast with the difficulty of finding true wisdom.

The Hebrew behind Job 28:9

  • "forth" (שָׁלַח, shalach): This word means to send out or stretch out, and here it describes the act of reaching out with one's hand, emphasizing intentional effort.
  • "rock" (סֶלַע, selaʿ): This word refers specifically to a large, solid rock or crag, highlighting the toughness of what is being worked on.
  • "overturneth" (הָפַךְ, haphakh): This word means to turn over or upend, and in this verse, it paints a vivid picture of someone uprooting or completely changing the position of mountains, stressing the extraordinary nature of the action.
  • "roots" (שֹׁרֶשׁ, shoresh): This word means roots, as in the source or foundation of something. Here, it suggests digging so deep that even the very base of the mountains is disturbed.

Why Job 28:9 matters

  • Job 28:9 helps clear up the idea that ancient people saw mining as a simple or easy task; instead, it shows they recognized the incredible effort and ingenuity involved.
  • The verse emphasizes the contrast between human ability to uncover physical treasures and the much greater challenge of finding wisdom, which is the main theme of Job 28.
  • By describing such extreme actions, Job 28:9 sets up the reader to appreciate the following verses, where Job explains that, despite all this effort, true wisdom cannot be found by human strength or skill alone.

Where else these words appear

“rock” Hebrew H2496 · used in 5 verses

  • Deuteronomy 8:15 Who led thee through that great and terrible wilderness, wherein were fiery serpents, and scorpions, and drought, where there was no water; who brought thee forth water out of the rock of flint;
  • Deuteronomy 32:13 He made him ride on the high places of the earth, that he might eat the increase of the fields; and he made him to suck honey out of the rock, and oil out of the flinty rock;
  • Psalms 114:8 Which turned the rock into a standing water, the flint into a fountain of waters.

“roots” Hebrew H8328 · used in 32 verses

  • Deuteronomy 29:18 Lest there should be among you man, or woman, or family, or tribe, whose heart turneth away this day from the LORD our God, to go and serve the gods of these nations; lest there should be among you a root that beareth gall and wormwood;
  • Job 36:30 Behold, he spreadeth his light upon it, and covereth the bottom of the sea.
  • Isaiah 53:2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.

“overturneth” Hebrew H2015 · used in 92 verses

  • Genesis 3:24 So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.
  • 1 Kings 22:34 And a certain man drew a bow at a venture, and smote the king of Israel between the joints of the harness: wherefore he said unto the driver of his chariot, Turn thine hand, and carry me out of the host; for I am wounded.
  • Psalms 114:8 Which turned the rock into a standing water, the flint into a fountain of waters.